Journal #7936

Posted 11 years ago2012-08-13 17:24:48 UTC
Alabastor_Twob Alabastor_Twobformerly TJB
I've taken out and dusted off my old laptop, to find out that it works surprisingly well, considering my memories of it. My current laptop is still experiencing a few problems. Several keys don't work, and two out of the three HP charger's we've got in the house don't work, which is why I'm using this computer.
The reason I stopped using this one is because I had managed to get a virus on it, which I hadn't managed to get rid of. I remember it getting BSOD's every five minutes, and being completely unable to work, although it seems to be working quite well. Before I stopped using it I backed up all my important files, and pretty much uninstalled everything apart from Hammer, Google Chrome, and things like MS Paint that came with the computer, which might be why it's working fine now.

Although 'working fine' isn't entirely correct. One of the things I remember about this computer was that it was excruciatingly slow when loading files, and that is certainly true. At the time I believed it was due to overheating or something, but looking at it now I see that I never once defragmented the hard drive. I'll be doing that now so I can see how much it changes.

10 Comments

Commented 11 years ago2012-08-14 11:18:01 UTC Comment #54464
TL;DR - buy a new computer and give your old laptop to the needy ;)

Welcome back home btw =)
Commented 11 years ago2012-08-14 11:27:36 UTC Comment #54458
Erm, if you got a virus on it and haven't formatted yet, you really should. I hope you're not logging into anything important on an infected machine, the chances of it having a keylogger are quite significant if it's infected :/
Commented 11 years ago2012-08-14 12:45:00 UTC Comment #54461
I thought of that PB. I've only logged into TWHL and YouTube. I kind of don't want to format because I like Windows XP (I never managed to get the 3D view in Hammer working properly in Windows 7 - depending on whether or not I used that OpenGL fix it would either run extremely slowly or I couldn't select stuff. Never had any problems with XP), but I am aware of the dangers involved. I have downloaded Microsoft Security Essentials, and that did successfully find and get rid of a trojan, but I'm still intending to play it safe. I will only use this computer for mapping and browsing. I think I still have my old copy of WON Half-Life, so I don't need to log into Steam at all.

And CT, I probably should just buy a new PC. My newer laptop keeps getting problems, and as soon as I fix them a new, unrelated one pops up.
Commented 11 years ago2012-08-14 20:13:10 UTC Comment #54467
Format it and reinstall Win XP?
Commented 11 years ago2012-08-14 20:15:07 UTC Comment #54462
Forgot to mention I don't have the installation disk. I don't want to torrent it for various reasons either. I might have a look to see how cheaply I could get a copy.
Commented 11 years ago2012-08-14 21:56:19 UTC Comment #54459
Did you buy a copy of the OS, or did you buy a computer with the OS already installed? If the latter is the case, contacting their support will usually result in being able to buy another copy of your own OEM operating system disc for significantly less than the real deal. Mine would've cost me $25 to replace if I hadn't been able to get my own disc back from my lazy friend.

It's still lame paying $25 for a CD containing something you already own, but much better than having to buy a new copy anyways.
Commented 11 years ago2012-08-15 08:18:38 UTC Comment #54465
Personally, i really feel you're wasting your time nursing this thing along.

When windows 7 came out i rushed to buy a "real copy" of xp in case i needed it for one of my old computers, and it's still shrink-wrapped in plastic, sitting in my drawer untouched ;)

XP had it's day and it was awesome, but that time is passed; let it(and your old computer) die, and move on :)

(the last of my preaching, i promise)
Commented 11 years ago2012-08-15 20:18:00 UTC Comment #54463
I see where you're coming from CT, but even so I would prefer to have a copy of XP for mapping with. Perhaps someday when I get a desktop I can install a second HDD with it on. Believe me, if it weren't for Hammer not working as well on it I would have no problem with only ever using Windows 7.
And I'll try doing that Blitz. This laptop's like 5-6 years old though. Would they still do that?
Commented 11 years ago2012-08-15 22:12:45 UTC Comment #54460
Probably. If the manufacturer is still in business I don't see why they would choose not to make an easy $25.
Commented 11 years ago2012-08-17 16:29:07 UTC Comment #54466
"And finally, i know this computer is a piece of shit, because it's a computer, and has this logo on it" (panning in on a picture of the HP logo) :P

I think what blitz are speaking of are a recovery dvd disk set? (which may not work if you formatted over the recovery partition, just letting you know)

Blitz, if you are speaking of something different, i aplogize my friend :)

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