Trying to clean up my Dad's gateway

So he's really busy, constantly working and all that, and he never has time for anything. He even got an iPod for christmas last year and hasnt been able to get around to getting it started. It's still in the box.


Annnyways, he bought a laptop from my school bookstore about 2 years ago. It was a gateway, and basically it has always been incredibly slow. They sent it to gateway to have it fixed under the warranty, but it didnt really help at all. Eventually he just gave up and uses it occasionally when he really needs to.

From what I can tell, it's because: 1) it's a gateway, it probably came with absurd amounts of bloatware, 2) my parents use stupid computer protection software like Norton, and 3) it has 512MB RAM. Now I was just using everest home edition, and I'm not sure if I read it right, but I am under the impression that it only has 1 RAM slot. Is that possible? I cant tell what model it is, I only know that it's pretty much exactly 2 years old. I cant find out how to get everest to tell me other specs.

I dont know what else could be wrong, but let me tell you that this laptop is mindblowingly slow. I think I waited around 5 minutes from when the desktop appeared until I could finally open Mozilla. So... I was planning on wiping it, doing a clean install of XP, getting him the good freeware virus and spyware protection, and buying a 2BG stick of RAM from newegg and plopping it in.


Here's the thing. I asked him if he had all of the discs and stuff that came with the laptop, but after looking through what he found, there was no windows disc or anything. I've never done any of this (reformatting or installing RAM) before, so anyone have any advice or a step by step guide?

Thanks

 

best is to search for some techsupport at gateway, use the website for drivers and read the faq on how to change ram

as for the windows XP you can download it and check the serial under your laptop to activate it. good luck with the reformat.

 

Should I be worried about RAM compatibility at all?

 

about the RAM do check the compatibility, the type should be the same to the letter.

 

To find the exact model of your machine, look for a folder named "GWCI". Inside there should be two files: One named "Partlist.txt" and another named after the system part number, and ending in ".XPL". These two files are nearly identical. Anyway, in addition to the part number for the system, these files contain a list of parts assembled by Gateway, and the date the hard drive was imaged.

With this (or the serial number--should be on the back of a desktop or bottom of a notebook), you can find all sorts of information on your exact build at the Gateway support site: http://support.gateway.com/support/default.asp

 

1) Is it possible for this laptop to only have 1 slot for RAM? If it has 2 but only 1 is currently taken then it doesnt matter. If not, I'm trying to get 2gb RAM and when I searched for compatibility with this notebook, newegg only gave me 1gb x2 options

2) Where can I find a guide on cleaning up a gateway? I was just walked through something or rather by technical support, but it still has everything a gateway laptop comes with.

 

OK, my 2c...
I'm assuming you have found out the model number? It's crucial you have that to download driver XP doesn't automatically install for ya!

Next up - you realise that continuing with this will wipe EVERYTHING!!?? So make sure you have all your office discs, etc.

As for memory - I would be stunned if a not too ancient laptop only had one memory slot. Bet on two. Again - using the model number of the laptop, get the correctly specced ram for it. Don't try go more than 2gig's or you will more than likely start having issues. As for compatibility, stick to the big name brands and you should be fine.

Now for the reload - Download an XP iso installation disc somewhere, burn it to disc and use that as the install CD USING THE KEY ON THE COA STICKER ON THE NOTEBOOK! This is simply done by booting off the cd and following the on screen instructions. Not hard.

Reload drivers that didn't automatically load, do windows update, etc. Load required software. Done.

Karl