If Inspiron700m arrives and no cd of OS system....

And they already indicated that Dell will not include the operating system's cds (Home XP), can I use a store bought Home XP version? I mean, should I have to reinstall XP, does Dell have their own version that has to be used on Dell's laptops? I want a hard copy of my os just in case.

Also, can USB2.0 flash drive hold an entire os system like a cd?

Sorry people. I will impose. And much thanks!
Sincerely,
macmac

 

Have you ever used a program called Ghost? It's made by Symantec, other include PowerQuest DriveImage, Acronis True Image (I think that was the name). They will make a full backup of your system and allow you to restore the OS to how it was on day one when you received it.

The way I normally do it, when I get the system (before I power it on) I pull the HDD out of the unit, connect it to my desktop via a 2.5" to 3.5" IDE adapter and ghost the entire HDD into 700MB chuncks so I can fit them on CD. You can have larger chuncks if you want & put it on DVD. Run Nero (or whatever burning s/w you use) and make a bootable CD/DVD and through the ghost.exe file and the image onto the disc & burn. When I need to restore, I just boot off the CD/DVD and run the Ghost app and restore the original OS image.

A USB 2.0 flash drive will not be able to hold an XP OS. Max size I've seen is 1GB, the OS takes almost 2GB and then you also have to include the apps/software/drivers that are on the drive.

I personally say the imaging process is the best way to keep an exact hardcopy of your current OS load. Also, this is generally what manufacturers do as well, they have a master image for each model that gets loaded onto the HDD's before shipping.

-Vb-

 

Dear Venombite,
Learned much from your post. Symantec seems to be "The Company" for most applications and ultilites.

I guess I should have told you that I never owned a desktop (mac or PC). All my computing needs were met using Powerbooks (Pismo and onward). I think I will probably pick up a "barebones" system for home use, but for now I hope nothing comes up and wrong with my incoming Dell 700m.

The waiting is killing me!!!
Thanks again Venonbite.
Sincerely,
macmac

 

jus wanna reply 2 a bit of ur question...dude...a flash drive is WAYYYYYYY to small 2 hold an entire os. the biggest 1's they have r 1gb flash drives and xp itself is 3 or 4 gb's big, and also dells dont come with an xp cd but they do come with a reinstall cd u can use

 

Dear Ballin4life:

I did not know they gave anykind of cd with the order. My rep told me to call support for downloads. I am very relieved by reading your post. I have hope after all!

On the flash thing. Yeah, even if they had one, its cost would be too much.

Thank you for the info.
Sincerely,
Macmac
( I await the Dell700m - it's shipment is targeted at around the 14th of Sept -as of today.)

 

Heh some rep. He is supposed to be hustling for a sale and instead hes convincing you the first reformat and your using linux.


Sorry for the sudden outburst, I will slither back into my little hole now.[ ]