Forum Home
Press F1
 
Thread ID: 81858 2007-08-09 05:30:00 Hardrive wipe - How effective for speed increase? --Wolf-- (128) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
578550 2007-08-09 06:27:00 2'nded on the drivers front - some windows install disks don't even have network drivers. A cd or usb drive with network/audio/video/sound will save many dramas.

I've never seen any Windows cd with mobo drivers on it, or LAN/Sound, or video drivers on it (besides the default ones).

Good thing most mobo cd's (if u build a system) come with the mobo.

Or else, you'll spend all day getting them (If youre on dialup, thats if you can get on the net in the first place).

You need drivers for whatever is on the computer - LAN/Sound/video or whatever.

Without drivers, you'll only have the OS. Nothing else.

They wont work without drivers. 		Speedy Gonzales (78)
578551 2007-08-09 06:30:00 Well I have one (all legal & legit). And I learned the hard way it has no network driver. For the rest you need to update from the defaults anyway, so pays to save the ones you have for graphics card etc. mmmork (6822)
578552 2007-08-09 06:33:00 That's if you use WMP at all.
It maybe part of XP, but its not the best or the only program you can use.
Personally i don't really like it, though the library set out is quite nice, i really hate the library layout in wmp 11, and the one in winamp isn't that nice.


Drivers for what exactly?
And I thought, after 2 - 4 years I have installed and uninstalled a LOT of junk, some folders still hover around etc. Also reinstalling programs might help with the speed?
Do I have a big enough HD to partition? I dont even know how that works..
Is there a way to see if my disc has SP2 on it? Sounds like I might have to bump my boradband usage limit up this month...
Drivers for you motherboard, graphics card, etc. etc.

Re-installing the actual programs won't make them run any faster, but the fact that you have just formatted your hard drive and re-installed windows will mean that their is minimal fragmentation on your hdd, so file searching etc will be a lot faster.
When you do the format, be sure to do a full format, not just the quick format as this practically does nothing. Just removes the master file table.

if your disc is 2 -4 years old i bet it won't have SP2 on it, contact your local computer retailer, and if they can't supply you with a copy for under $10, send me your postal address and i can send you a copy if you want :cool: 		Bozo (8540)
578553 2007-08-09 06:33:00 So, how do I get these drivers for sound etc then? Starting to sound like a real noob, but the only drivers I've ever installed were printers and maybe a couple of usb things.

Laptop was pre built from a shop btw.

This is becoming really confusing now.

EDIT: I guess I just put that (16mb) Drivers folder onto a disc from the C: Drive? How do I reinstall after reboot from that tho? 		--Wolf-- (128)
578554 2007-08-09 06:38:00 So, how do I get these drivers for sound etc then? Starting to sound like a real noob, but the only drivers I've ever installed were printers and maybe a couple of usb things.

Laptop was pre built from a shop btw.

This is becoming really confusing now.

EDIT: I guess I just put that (16mb) Drivers folder onto a disc from the C: Drive? How do I reinstall after reboot from that tho?

You have to find out what the brand/model of the computer is.

Then go to the site, then do a search for the model. Then download the drivers for the LAN/Sound/Video etc.

No you dont copy that driver folder, you'll have to redownload the drivers from the site, then reinstall them.

After you've formatted and reinstalled Windows.

And once you've reinstalled the drivers burn them (the original install files) to CD.

It may pay to check the site BEFORE u format. As there may not be any drivers now.

Then download the drivers, and burn them to CD, BEFORE you format

If theyre zipped unzip them first. BEFORE you burn them to CD. 		Speedy Gonzales (78)
578555 2007-08-09 06:43:00 Okay, since the writing on the laptop itself is hard to understand, it basically reads:

Inspiron | 2200

here is a pic of the system info. I cant work out what the | is. 1, I, L? Google searches are pretty weak with something in front of the 2200 (there are lots for 2200 on its own) Can someone make out what it is and where to find the drivers?

img.photobucket.com

EDIT:

Im starting to think it's just a 2200 (dont even know my own laptop, how pathetic)

Would this be right: supportapj.dell.com
?

If so, when I format, do I need to download ALL drivers?

EDIT again:

Once I download them, then what? Do they automatically install/put themselves in place? 		--Wolf-- (128)
578556 2007-08-09 06:54:00 Before you decide to format, you DO have the XP / whatever CD dont you?

You wont get far without it.

Or is it on a partition, which you'll have to burn to cd or DVD, before you format. 		Speedy Gonzales (78)
578557 2007-08-09 06:58:00 Uh, yes I have the XP cd... --Wolf-- (128)
578558 2007-08-09 07:02:00 Umm, not neccessarily. Why do you think that? A comprehensive spyware/defrag/registry clean, maybe a repair install might do the same thing.

Because doing all those things you suggest works to a point, but not entirely. SOmetimes a reinstall is the best option.

I've done it, I try not to, but in one case it was beyond hope, and man, the speed increase on it!

But, once its done, install it all back to how you want it then GHOST it!! Saves all this hassle next time. 		pctek (84)
578559 2007-08-09 07:04:00 If so, when I format, do I need to download ALL drivers?

Well you dont have to install all the drivers, but if you dont, whatever it is, wont work.


Once I download them, then what? Do they automatically install/put themselves in place?

Once you've downloaded them and installed (unzip them if theyre zipped), then run it, and reboot, then it should work.

Umm i'll have a look at the Dell site. (The link you gave, is that what it looks like)? 		Speedy Gonzales (78)
1 2 3 4 5