How to uninstall everything and just reinstall the basics

Bean_Counter

Hi,

Following my old laptop running slow, I have got a new desktop and transferred everything from the laptop to the desktop.

I now just want to use the laptop for browsing the internet, so I wanted to uninstall everything on it and then only reload the minimum that I need for browsing. I still have the various operating system disks that came with both computers.

Can anyone please offer any advice about the best and easiest way to do this?

Thanks in advance.

gonzo127

to be honest the easiest way would be formatting the hard drive and dumping windows altogether and going for Linux, my personal OS is ubuntu at the moment but there are a lot of different ones to choose from such as Linux Mint, puppy linux etc etc - check out http://desktoplinuxreviews.com/ for some good information about the different options

the reason i say this is because you dont even need a anti virus with linux due it just not getting virus's, they generally come with everything you are likely to need - Ubuntu only need sthe 'restrited extras' package to get the non open source codecs such as flash and that is easily installed via the software centre in a few clicks

just a note, quite a few of the different Linux distro's have a livecd mode, which will allow you to try the operating system without making any changes to your hard drive as it runs from the cd and your systems ram only - although you have to take into account it WILL run slowly doing it this way, its just a nice test to get a feel for it and see if all yoru hardware is supported

tweeter

Just work from a Slax distro instead as it is pretty quick online and secure in that you don't have to run any anti virus etc . All you need to do is change the boot sequence in your computer bios so the cd drive is first before any floppy or harddrive etc in its list, then put the cd in your cd drive and boot up from it. You don't need to install or reinstall anything.

To change the boot sequence just go on youtube and you'll get the idea, as there are dozens of clips on how to do it, and how to make a iso distro as well.

For the free Slax operating system see link.

http://www.slax.org/

bengalknights

If your using windows there is a program called xplite that can remove unwanted programs/features after install or a program called Nlite that will do it before installation

esuhl

nLite is a great way to create a stripped-down XP installation, and there is a version called vLite for Vista (I don't think Win 7 is supported yet).

The easiest way to get a clean system is to back up your data (you already do this on a regular basis anyway, right?), format the hard drive, then install the OS - either Windows of Linux, whichever you prefer.

I use Linux (Arch) and Windows and both are great. If you already have a Windows licence, aren't interested in learning about Linux and don't mind keeping security software up-to-date, I'd stick with Windows. It's easier to fix things, and more people use Windows so there are more people to ask for help if anything goes wrong.

If you're curious about Linux, don't want to pay for a Windows licence, want to create a more customised system (Linux is really flexible - you don't need tools like nLite to strip away the junk!) or are fed up installing and updating security software, give Linux a whirl!

closed

Either boot from the operating system disc and reinstall windows, or use the factory restore partition if it has one (much easier), see the manual for your machine for instructions

JasX

closed wrote: »

Either boot from the operating system disc and reinstall windows, or use the factory restore partition if it has one (much easier), see the manual for your machine for instructions

I agree, asking OP to use a whole new operating system, no matter how lightweight on processing power... is overcomplicating things by several orders of magnitude no?

23n1th

TBH theres not a lot of difference between reinstalling windows from the disks and installing a desktop linux (provided you pick a newbie friendly distro such as LinuxMint/Ubuntu etc) and depending on the version of windows might actually be easier installing linux. No ones saying there wont be a learning curve but if the OP only wants to browse the internet the OP wont actually have to do anything other than install since its ready to go once installed. Chances are being an old laptop all the hardware will be supported out of the box and there will be a speed boost, not to mention not needing antivirus etc.

gonzo127

23n1th wrote: »

TBH theres not a lot of difference between reinstalling windows from the disks and installing a desktop linux (provided you pick a newbie friendly distro such as LinuxMint/Ubuntu etc) and depending on the version of windows might actually be easier installing linux. No ones saying there wont be a learning curve but if the OP only wants to browse the internet the OP wont actually have to do anything other than install since its ready to go once installed. Chances are being an old laptop all the hardware will be supported out of the box and there will be a speed boost, not to mention not needing antivirus etc.

to be honest the above is why i suggest Linux (Ubuntu or Linux Mint),

since the OP has satated just using it for the net Linux would be a excellent choice due to not needing all the extra security programs, having virtually everything you need upon install, a much quicker operating system with much faster boot and close times

just seems to make sense for a internet only laptop

Donnie

What is the make and model number of the laptop? This will help us to advise you on the best course of action.

Lokolo

gonzo127 wrote: »

to be honest the above is why i suggest Linux (Ubuntu or Linux Mint),

since the OP has satated just using it for the net Linux would be a excellent choice due to not needing all the extra security programs, having virtually everything you need upon install, a much quicker operating system with much faster boot and close times

just seems to make sense for a internet only laptop

Windows comes with its own firewall and anti virus does it not?

And to say Linux "doesn't come with any viruses" is one of the most stupid things I have heard! Any operating system can have viruses, it just happens that Windows gets targeted the most.