Laptop Help?

[Thom]

I got a Macbook in December, and ever since I've only turned my laptop on a handful of times to get music off there or something. Figuring I don't need it any more, I gave it to my girlfriend to use, but in the 6 months of not using it, I forgot everything I know about using Windows and PCs. Basically, the thing is shit-slow, even to sign on to a user account takes at the very least five minutes. It's not a bad laptop by any means, it's only about 18 months old, it's got an AMD Dual-Core processer and a gig of RAM, so it should run smoothly just for web browsing and MSN etc, so what could be slowing it down, and how do I put it right?

[Aero]

erm... 3 quick fixes -

stop anything starting up when u switch it on that you don't actually need running

run a dsc clean up

run a disc defrag

[Thom]

Like I said, forgot everything I know about PCs, ho do I do the last two things?

[Aero]

start > all programs > accessories > system tools.

both are in there.

as for the 1st 1 -

start > run > type "msconfig" and stop anything in the startup and services tabs that you know arent needed.

[scoot]

easy solution would be to format, and with it being a relatively new laptop, the chances of a recovery partition being built into the system are quite high. gimme a make and model, ill try finding instructions on how to use any such recovery partition.

[Thom]

It's a Compaq Presario V6000. Does the partition prevent me having to lose all of my music?

Also, why isn't MSN on my Macbook working now?

[Elmnt254]

It depends on when the partition was made. usually the recovery partitions are made relatively regularly. The easiest option for making MSN work on your macbook is uninstall and reinstall.

Aero's idea would be the first thing you should try though because you wouldn't have to redo anything you've lost, always start out small and work your way up

Edited May 19, 2008 by Elmnt254

[Aero]

hence why i said 3 quick fixes

[scoot]

from HP themselves

click Start , All Programs , Recovery Manager , and then Recovery Manager . Allow the action to continue, if prompted. The HP Recovery Manager opens.

Click Advanced options , System recovery , and then click Next . The PC will restart.

Alternately, if Advanced options is disabled, click Next , and then System Recovery . The PC will restart.

When the PC restarts, select the System recovery option and click Next

If prompted to use the Microsoft System Restore program, click No , and then click Next .

When prompted, select the Back up your files first (recommended) option, and then click Next . Follow the on-screen instructions.

When prompted to Recover without backing up your files , please STOP before clicking Next .

If you are satisfied that you want to begin the recover process, click Next . The PC immediately begins formatting the hard drive and destroying all data.

now with regards to saving all the music, my preference lies with an external hard drive. the program i use is roadkill's unstoppable file copier, basically as many of you know, when copying files in windows many times you are requested to allow the copy to commence with such options as 'yes to all' which actually mean 'yes to this particular type of file', it does get dam annoying...plus roadkill's unstoppable copier is far faster. its small, its simple, it works.

http://www.roadkil.net/program.php?ProgramID=29

[Aero]

why would a compaq have the HP Recovery manager on it? or am i being retarded

[Nemo]

hp owns compaq.

[Aero]

i'm gonna pretend i knew that