bozo
February 15th, 2001, 02:29 AM
Hello PuterHeads!
My sister recently gave me a 1996 Dell Pentium 133.(256 Cache) I know I Know....I should just buy a new one,because it is soooo slow! The Hard Drive has so much stuff,ie: applications,files/folders,etc.,that she had downloaded,or came with other programs installed when she first got it. I don't know the first thing about F-Formatting the H.D.,I could upgrade the present 16 RAM to a max of 64 RAM,and possibly install a faster microprocessor,but I would really like to start over with basic programs. Anyone,I would greatly appreciate any feed back. Thank you, Bozo
Junky
February 15th, 2001, 03:23 AM
Hi there, welcome to our world. http://www.cybertechhelp.com/ubb/smile.gif
The motherboard in that computer will most likely take up to a 200MHz CPU...maybe higher. But you need to have the manual to know, or know the manufacturer of the motherboard so you can go to their web site for the info.
You want to run at least 64 megs of RAM. Other things that help the computer run faster is a good video card with at least 16 megs of memory on the card. An ultra ATA hard drive will also speed things up.
Here is alittle something I posted recently to help someone, maybe it can help you:
"If you want to format and reinstall windows make sure you save all important files like IE5 Favorites folder, pictures, e-mail and addresses, and things you've saved in a text programs, and any downloaded programs...think hard...find it...and save it.
Make sure you have a working win98 startup disk, they have CD drivers. Try using it, booting the computer from it, and make sure it will read the CD-ROM drive. In fact, copy some stuff on to the hard drive from the CD to make sure all is well.
Then when you know that you have saved everything, and the CD drive will work, you can format the hard drive. You do this from the A prompt, right where you'll be when you have booted with the win98 startup floopy disk. At the A prompt type: format c: and hit the Enter key, it will give you a warning, don't worry just say yes and let it format.
Once done you will need to go to the CD drive and type setup. To do this you type ( without the quotation marks) "cd e" then hit enter. There is a space between the cd and e. Then you will type "cd win98", hit enter, then type "setup", then enter key. The installation will begin. Just set back and watch and enter info as it asks you. Have the win98 installation product key number handy.
The reason you use the E drive for the CD drive is because when you boot using the floppy disk using the CD drivers there is a virtual drive D made and E becomes the CD drive...if I remember right. The way you can make sure you have the right drive letter is once you type cd e, then type "dir" and hit enter. If you are on the right drive for the CD you will get a list of the stuff that is on the CD. You'll know it when you see it.
This is all from memory, so I hope I haven't forgot anything. There are instructions on how to do this, but I don't know where they are. I've just done this so many times I can do it in my sleep. hehe"
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Moderator of Hardware & Overclocking
zipulrich
February 15th, 2001, 03:30 AM
Hi Bozo, welcome to MiShY's place!
After following Junky's advice and http://snortworld.bla-bla.com/ubb/Forum6/HTML/000944.html#mawil02-14-200104:10 PM this advice, you should be good to go...for a little while, anyway!
Edited by lynnm - no need for brackets around a link on a ubb.
[This message has been edited by lynnm (edited 14 February 2001).]