RIP old computer (just about, help, please)

Zeke · 10-31-2006, 08:03 AM

The old PII is about to take a dump. I can feel it. One hour online and it's time to reboot. Shorter segments each week. Here's my question: I have an branny new external hard drive. Can I dump [u]everything[/i] into that drive, programs, files, the works, and pick thru it later on the new machine?

Any cautions? Is this done easiest with a DOS command? Like COPY/C:

id10t · 10-31-2006, 08:36 AM

Copy your data, reinstall apps though since the typical windows app will scatter files all over the program files, windows, system, and system32 directories.

BTW - if you can, try just backing up everything and then reformatting and reinstalling windows. You are probably suffering from windows-rot, not a hardware issue.

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

I agree - this isn't a h/w issue, but a Windoze issue.

After you reinstall and copy your stuff, wipe the old disk clean and use it to store your pr0n.

dad911 · 10-31-2006, 09:14 AM

You can pick through the files, but keep in mind you will need original install disks to re-install any software.

I usually just install my old hard drive as a slave drive in the new computer, and look for the files as/if I need them.

RickM · RickM's Garage

It probably slows to a crawl because there's not enough memory and processing data is cached to a hard drive that has a limited space.

I agree with the others of copying data and making sure you have the install disks for your new Dell.

Bill Verburg · Bill Verburg's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by milt
The old PII is about to take a dump. I can feel it. One hour online and it's time to reboot. Shorter segments each week. Here's my question: I have an branny new external hard drive. Can I dump [u]everything[/i] into that drive, programs, files, the works, and pick thru it later on the new machine?

Any cautions? Is this done easiest with a DOS command? Like COPY/C:

I went through this last summer, yes back up all data to the ext. hd, export your email and favorites as well.

As others have said be sure to have the oem program disks handy.

Prices of new are phenomenal, I bought 3xs the computor at 1/3 the price of my old one.

Zeke · 10-31-2006, 01:16 PM

I guess once again I was looking for a simple solution. with my limited knowledge, I have to agree that the memory, of lack of, is at least a portion of the problem. funny, I always thought it might be a fan. I had one computer where the fan died and I didn't know it. Of course, it got hot and went wild.

so, I suppose I jut go into the Windows help directory and backing up files will be explained. I know a lot of people do this as a matter of course. I never have. I guess I've been lucky, but I really don't store a lot of stuff on a computer. The last couple of years, though, I've been lazy and let things accumulate. Maybe 150 pics, 100 documents and a whole bunch of stuff stored unintentionally. don't even know how that works. I just find it sometimes in windows Explorer. I usually just delete it on the spot.

craigster59 · craigster59's Garage

Wait a minute Milt..don't you make a living installing windows?

kach22i · kach22i's Garage

Not to hi-jack the thread, but I've been having a low memory problem too.

I have maybe 90% of the "D" drive available and over half, maybe 75% of the main "C" drive available, yet low memory.

What's the difference between available hard disk space and "memory"?

kach22i · kach22i's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by craigster59
Wait a minute Milt..don't you make a living installing windows?

Good one, but I think he just fills the orders.

SLO-BOB · 01:42 PM

Milt-

Get the new computer. You can go cheap and you'll be thrilled with the difference from your old PII. With the PII, lack of memory is only one of your many problems. Suffice it to say, it's simply time to move on. I wouldn't be surprised if you could get a very usable desktop for around $300. When going cheap I would consider AMD rather than a Celeron processor. Network the old computer with the new and simply share and copy the files to your new hard drive. or.....do it now and drag and drop to the new external. But I would wait and use the new external hd on the new computer and back up at that time.

Bill Verburg · Bill Verburg's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by milt
I guess once again I was looking for a simple solution. with my limited knowledge, I have to agree that the memory, of lack of, is at least a portion of the problem. funny, I always thought it might be a fan. I had one computer where the fan died and I didn't know it. Of course, it got hot and went wild.

so, I suppose I jut go into the Windows help directory and backing up files will be explained. I know a lot of people do this as a matter of course. I never have. I guess I've been lucky, but I really don't store a lot of stuff on a computer. The last couple of years, though, I've been lazy and let things accumulate. Maybe 150 pics, 100 documents and a whole bunch of stuff stored unintentionally. don't even know how that works. I just find it sometimes in windows Explorer. I usually just delete it on the spot.

You are making things toom hard.

Just make a folder on the ext hd, call it anything, lets say "Backupfolder".

Just go to your "My documents" and just go through the folders one at a time, there should be only 10 or so, like My Music, My Pictures, favorites etc.copy to "Backupfolder" go into your email and export to the same folder

Aurel · Aurel's Garage

Even simpler:
When you get a new computer, just install your old hard drive as a second drive on the new PC. No need to copy files. Even if windows does work on your old PC drive, you can still access the data using the new windows.

Aurel

Aurel · Aurel's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by kach22i
Not to hi-jack the thread, but I've been having a low memory problem too.

I have maybe 90% of the "D" drive available and over half, maybe 75% of the main "C" drive available, yet low memory.

What's the difference between available hard disk space and "memory"?

Memory is RAM. You need more of that kind.

Aurel

Zeke · 10-31-2006, 04:32 PM

I like Bill's thought the best. I'll do that, then try to format the old one. Bob, you missed where I got a screamer computer. Just don't use it in my office (at home) yet. I'm still setting up to rip some music and make dvds from our videos.

id10t · 10-31-2006, 05:18 PM

For performance and your swapfile in Windows (pagefile.sys), it is probably best if right after you boot windows the first time, you set both the minimum and maximum amounts to something sizeable - like 2x your memory, plus some. Then reboot so it runs on that setting, and then defrag your drive. Even better performance is if your swapfile is on a separate physical disk on a separate controller.

If you are gonna end up buying a new computer, get a Mac. You can even boot windows on 'em if you absolutely have to (of course there is a PPC version of NT 4.0....).

Oh, and keep the old machine, get a cheap KVM (~$30) and put Linux on it.

RickM · RickM's Garage

If you don't have alot of data to back-up just burn to a DVD or CD-R. Then it's totally portable and a no brainer to copy over to another machine when required.

RickM · RickM's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by kach22i
Not to hi-jack the thread, but I've been having a low memory problem too.

I have maybe 90% of the "D" drive available and over half, maybe 75% of the main "C" drive available, yet low memory.

What's the difference between available hard disk space and "memory"?

In a nutshell....

Disk Space is primarily used for storage.

System RAM or Random Access Memory is a solid state work area used by the CPU to perform calculations and other machine operations. It is also "volatile" and when powered down all contents are lost.

When memory is overburdened by the CPU an area of the disk drive is used to handle the spill over. The problem is that the pipeline to the disk and it's mechanical operation are much slower than solid state memory. Therefore more memory is better as it prevents the need to utilize the disk drive.

Modern CPUs also have a built-in work area called cache (it is, however, specific to certain operations). This performs better than RAM as it is directly accessed by the CPU. Why? Because the pipeline to cache is more direct and efficient than the pipe to RAM.

Zeke · 11-01-2006, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by RickM
If you don't have alot of data to back-up just burn to a DVD or CD-R. Then it's totally portable and a no brainer to copy over to another machine when required.

the old unit doesn't burn CD's. Rick, thanks for the nuts and bolts explaination to kach. It has to be remembered that a lot of us car guys are not computer guys. Not even close. If I have to ask about the best way to back up and save.........

john70t · 11-01-2006, 07:58 AM

1. Make several folders on the "C" drive, and move all your big files from "Mydocs" and the "desktop" to them.
They will be out of the Windows environment so you can reinstall Windows without erasing/losing them.
Also it make the OS smaller and (hopefully) faster.

2. Go to the Windows/Temp folder and erase everything. Sometimes there are residual files there that slow down everything. Antivirus software will sometimes prevent you from touching their own files, but get rid of everything else.

3. Use system cleanup, then scandisk(thorough), and then defragmenter. This will take many hours.

4. Increase the browser cache size, and set it up to delete itself after closing the browser(same with cookies).

You can buy and install easily a DVD burner(4 GB+ storage) which will replace the CD. Just open the case, unplug, and switch.
While doing it, keep the carpet wet, the power cord plugged in(for ground), and touch the case frequently to prevent static electricity from frying anything.

Also try free Ad-aware and free virus scanners from download.com or tucows.com to get rid of the memory-suckers.
New, larger memory cards are also pretty cheap, and even found from parts re-sellers.