computer help

[Ed Fenwick]

Aloha guys, I have an old Dell laptop (Latitude D620). Maybe it is too old for Windows 7, I don't know. I loaded 7 on the computer and it filled all 60GB so I couldn't load software! I managed to delete all but 34G manually. I am sure that 7 is not 26G in size, but how do I get rid of whatever is not supposed to be there? I thought that with a new operating system, everything would be wiped out. Some of the files left won't delete without the administrator. I thought I was the administrator.

Any help will be much appreciated. TKS Ed

 

[Duane Foster]

I think you have to wipe out the previous operating system first, then install Windows 7.

 

[Ed Fenwick]

It wants the administrator to do it. I thought that I was the administrator when I installed it!

 

[Jackson Ellis]

Windows 7 (at least the Home version) is not that large, should be around 15 gig. When you install a version of Windows and want a "clean" start, you have to use the custom setup option. You will have the option to wipe everything out, which means you first need to back up your documents (created files, photos, internet bookmarks, etc.) and you will have to re-install programs after Windows is installed (games, SCT Tuner, etc.) If you are a regular Backup user (to the cloud, a local hard drive, etc.) then you can just make a backup run before re-installing Windows. However, be sure your backup contains everything you want to keep. I've seen people throw away photos and other files because they didn't know their backup didn't include them.



In Windows 7, the administrator is turned off by default (maybe). Click the Start button, and begin to type "Computer Management." Don't hit the "Enter" key. Click on "Computer Management" from the list when it shows up. On the left side of the new window, choose "Local Users and Groups." Click on "Users" and you'll see a list of users that includes you, possibly some others, and "Administrator." Right click on Administrator and choose Properties. In that list, you probably have "Account is Disabled" checked. You need to uncheck that.



With the administrator account enabled, viruses (and users) can potentially cause more havoc, so keep it enabled temporarily as you need to do things. This will allow you to delete some things that you couldn't before, but that should be done carefully. If you are deleting programs, they should be uninstalled rather than deleted. Deleting programs causes entries in your Registry to point to nowhere, which slows your computer.



Fair warning: Hope this helps, but be careful if you're poking around without much experience. I'd suggest finding some YouTube videos on installing Windows that you can watch on your iPad or another PC as you go along. Also, get your Virus protection going as soon a possible after install.



Good luck. BTW, I'm not a PC expert; I've just used them every day for work for the last 20 years. I usually do my own installations and troubleshooting, but I don't claim to be a great troubleshooting resource for others. In other words, you can use my advice, but you're digging your own hole! So I won't get into any of this!:argue:

 

[Richard L]

Ed,

64GB hard drive is not up to handling newer Windows operating systems and software. It would be easier and perform better if you upgraded the hard drive to something at least 250GB and preferable 500GB, depending upon what other software you want to install.



TigerDirect.com has several 250GB to 750GB 2.5" hard drives in the $50-$65 range. Also, changing the hard drive in a Dell D620 is very easy (I've done it dozens of times).



Before you remove your old drive, download a free copy of DriverMax and copy it to a USB Drive.

Then install and use DriverMax to Backup all your Dell drivers to the same USB Drive.



To replace the Hard Drive:

1. Hard drive is located on the side in a slide out carrier mount. remove the 2 small screws from the bottom and slide the carrier mount out.

2. remove the 2-4 small screws that hold the hard drive to the carrier mount.

3. Install the new hard drive in the carrier mount and reinstall the hard driver and carrier mount back into the side of the laptop. Install the 2 hard drive carrier mounting retaining screws in the bottom of the laptop.



Install your new Windows-7 DVD into the DVD drawer (you can insert a paperclip into the little hole to open the DVD drawer)



1. Power up the laptop and when you see the Dell logo on the screen, press the F12 Key. That will bring up the Boot menu screen and you can select to boot from the DVD drive.

2. Installation of Windows-7 will begin.

3. One of the first things it will do is ask you if which drive to install windows on, and it will also ask you to format the drive..Reply yes to install on the C drive and just follow the rest of the Windows-7 install instructions.

4. After Windows-7 is installed, insert your USB drive and install DriverMax, and then restore all your old drivers. If any drivers do not install, you can go to the Dell site and download any Window-7 upgraded drivers.

5. Load your other software and you should be good to go for a few more years when Microsoft stops supporting Windows-7.



Good luck,



...Richard

 

[Ed Fenwick]

thanks guys, this is just what I needed. Amazon has 500Gb hard drive foe $40

Ed

 

[Richard L]

Ed,

Let us know how everything worked out after you install your new hard drive and Windows-7.



...Rich

 

[Gavin Allan]

Are the different SATA specs compatible up and down? (I "ASSuME" that the lowest transfer speed is used that the motherboard and drive can handle together?)



I need a new drive for my 8-year old Dell desktops (dual processors running Windows 7 64 bit). Not sure what to get.



THANKS

 

[Ed Fenwick]

Ok Richard, but it may be a while before I get a hard drive. I will let you guys know how it works out.

Ed

 

[Richard L]

Gavin,

Yes, SATA drives are based on the same standard...independent of Speed. I recommend that you get the fastest drive you can get/afford.



For a laptop, it's often better to go with a SSD (Solid State Drive). They are considerably more expensive, but they are far more reliable. SSD's are less likely to go bad because of the bumps and bruises laptops are subject to during transport.



...Rich

 

[Gavin Allan]

Thanks.



I am trying to squeeze some life out of the home desktop. It has pretty light duty these days, as graduate classes are done, and I have a great laptop I can use from my job. It is getting noticeably slower than the newer tech, but works fine. My HD is about 90% full, so I know I need to do something there soon. May tackle a motherboard/processor upgrade later this year, but a bigger HD will ease the immediate worries.

 

[Richard L]

Gavin,

Before you buy a new HD, you might look at clear un-needed junk off your old HD. Start with a Disk Clean up, then any un-needed Internet files and compressed files.. You may want to just look for old programs that you don't need or use, and delete them as well.



An 8 year old HD that is 90% full is probably running really slow now and unless you free up more space, it will continue to slow down more and more. Also, consider that the typical HD only last from 3-5 years, so you are past due for a HD failure.



I also, disagree with the major upgrades you are proposing. If you are going to put out the money for a Processor and Motherboard upgrade, you might just as well get a whole new computer with a warranty and upgraded operating system. You can buy some good systems for as little as $300 that will run circles around any 5 year old system.



My old HP PC is about 5 years old, but is running fine on Windows-XP Professional. I have added new Anti-Virus and backup software, but I also have a new Dell XPS 2800 and I have been gradually moving software and data over to the new system. I also have a NAS system with RAID, and all My Documents are on the NAS.



...Rich

 

[Gavin Allan]

Good point, Richard...



Warranty and all..