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Reformatting a netbook

So guise, I'd like to reformat my Asus netbook. I thought I had the boot/installer CD for Windows 7 with me, as it's the only disc that came with the computer. However, I then realised that I've actually been carrying a useless CD of outdated drivers around the world.

Putting aside how to make a bootable USB et cetera--I know how to do that--how do I install a fresh copy of Windows 7 starter on my computer? Surely they don't ship netbooks without an installable copy of Windows somewhere on the hard drive or accessible via password on the internet? Or am I stuck with the copy it came with?

Paging all jew beards. Repeat: paging all jew beards.

mines acer but I've had to do what you're on about this week. When booting at the bios, alt & f10 (repeatedly) got me into the recovery console which ran everything for reinstallation. Maybe not any help for you though.

Okay, thanks. I've been googling all sorts of things to try and work this out. Just then I tried 'recovery console asus netbook' and I got an article basically repeating what you said.

However, that method will restore it to factory settings, with all the Asus bloatware still on it. Does anyone know a way to get a clean install, without resorting to piracy? I looked at Tiny 7, as Tiny XP was brilliant for me in the past, but it's gotten some pretty bad reviews so I'm not feeling adventurous.

basically all computers sold today no longer give you an installation disc, instead its located on a hidden partition on the hard drive. Your best bet is to reinstall and then uninstall anything you don't need.

The root of your problems is not bloat ware, its that crappy netbooks are inherently slow. You would have been better off laying out more cash for a compact 12" laptop.

I'm not sure, but what I had the option of myself was the windows 7 upgrade discs (came with vista but was just 3 weeks before win7 was out so it was promotional) so when I did that restore thing, I then went to upgrade and chose to install it afresh so I've got none of the Acer Bloatware myself. Failing that, I'm not sure, but it should still work better after than now in theory.

quote:

Originally posted by igottaknow basically all computers sold today no longer give you an installation disc

That is simply not true. I resell Dell laptops, PCs and servers. In every case the Dells I sell do come with an operating system disc to reload your Windows operating system, and in some cases come with both a 64 and a 32 bit version on two separate DvDs. Recovery partitions are becoming more and more popular these days though, and feature on most machines often as well as the DvDs I mentioned before.

Maybe it's just a UK thing, but I've not heard of this new rule where PCs etc are not supplied with operating system media.

Anyway, to the OP: download a copy of the version of Windows you are currently running, there are plenty about. Burn to a disc, boot off the disc and follow the prompts. Enter your license key that is stuck probably to the base of your netbook when prompted, there's no piracy involved here, you own the license to do this.

You've going to run into trouble when you run the operating system for the first time, as it's likely that your network card (wireless and ethernet) will not have been setup and installed. You'll have to go to the manufacturers website, on another PC, and download the relevant drivers.

I've rebuilt probably upwards of about 500 PCs in the last 10 years. Most of the time these days they go without hitch, but even now I get some curve balls. I certainly wouldn't fancy doing it for the first time without a complete wealth of resources available to you.

igottaknow is right though, I've never used a decent netbook, they are cheap for a reason, and I never recommend them on the basis that they are disappointingly slow. That said, a clean install will speed up your machine, and if I were travelling I might get one because they are ultra portable, and if you loose it it's not such a massive expense.

quote:

Originally posted by Jarvmeister Anyway, to the OP: download a copy of the version of Windows you are currently running, there are plenty about. Burn to a disc, boot off the disc and follow the prompts. Enter your license key that is stuck probably to the base of your netbook when prompted, there's no piracy involved here, you own the license to do this.

Thanks, that was the answer I was looking for. I can't believe I didn't think of that.

quote:

Originally posted by igottaknow The root of your problems is not bloat ware, its that crappy netbooks are inherently slow. You would have been better off laying out more cash for a compact 12" laptop.

That's not true at all. I've been astounded by the performance of this machine. I've run Ableton Live on it satisfactorily (which is a complete resource hog), as well as editing and rendering video, converting audio files and playing 3D games. It's handled them all fine. People don't buy netbooks for that sort of crap, anyway. They're primarily for email, internet and word processing, which they do perfectly.

Buying a 12" laptop would hardly have made sense for me, given that I spent 8 months living out of a backpack. It was a hard enough decision to even take a computer in the first place.

quote:

Originally posted by Jarvmeister That is simply not true. I resell Dell laptops, PCs and servers. In every case the Dells I sell do come with an operating system disc to reload your Windows operating system, and in some cases come with both a 64 and a 32 bit version on two separate DvDs. Recovery partitions are becoming more and more popular these days though, and feature on most machines often as well as the DvDs I mentioned before. Maybe it's just a UK thing, but I've not heard of this new rule where PCs etc are not supplied with operating system media.

Dell does not include an OS recovery disc. I just checked their website out of curiosity. I remember in the past they offered one for an additional $50 but I didn't see that option now. If I had to guess it must be a requirement the UK imposed on Microsoft.

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