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    OS reinstall. Windows 7 on a...

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by Cazca, May 14, 2009.

  1. Cazca

    Cazca Notebook Consultant

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    I need to reinstall the OS on my wife's laptop. She's got so much crap on it it's become to much to try and clean up. Now, I will be deployed for 6 months so I want this to be stable, but fast so that I can get her off mine for the last two months I'll be here lol. Should I just reinstall Vista 32bit, Vista 64bit, or this new Windows 7? The latop has 2gb RAM. It's a Dell E1505 to be exact. Also while I'm at it, I just got a Studio XPS 16 and I'm wondering if Windows 7 would be an upgrade from Vista 64. Thanks.
     
    Cazca, May 14, 2009
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  2. davepermen

    davepermen Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    i'd suggest reinstalling vista, as this will be the version that she can get support while you are deployed for 6 months. if there is a need for support.

    vista 32bit will be fine. 64bit uses a bit more memory => with 2gb, it means it's a loss.
     
    davepermen, May 14, 2009
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  3. Fragilexx

    Fragilexx Get'cha head in the game

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    I'd highly recommend re-installing Vista, but once you've got everything setup as she'd like to make a full backup using something like Acronis.

    Then set it up to make incremental backups to an external HDD or something, of the places that she saves documents.

    This way, it should be really straight forward if she needs to reinstall, with minimum risk of losing any important documents.

    Alternatively, partition the HDD and have the OS in one partition and documents etc in another. Again, should be a piece of cake if she needs to re-install whilst you are away.

    On top of all this, why not ensure you schedule something like ccleaner and windows defrag, spybot S&D et al to run automatically. That way the clutter should be reduced on a weekly/monthly basis without any intervention required from her.
     
    Fragilexx, May 14, 2009
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  4. Cazca

    Cazca Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks for the quick responses. Vista32 it is. I'll be sure to schedule those clean up programs for her too, good idea.
     
    Cazca, May 14, 2009
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  5. Matt is Pro

    Matt is Pro I'm a PC, so?

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    Yeah, I was going to suggest Vista32, as the support for 64bit on the E1505 is a bit lacking.
     
    Matt is Pro, May 14, 2009
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  6. Pitabred

    Pitabred Linux geek con rat flail!

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    Definitely not Windows 7, depending on when she's deploying. Starting next March, it will only run for 2 hours before shutting off, and it will completely stop working in June. You'll also have to completely reinstall the OS to get it off... no upgrade path from the release candidate. Windows 7 is recommended only to testers for a reason ;)
     
    Pitabred, May 14, 2009
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