***need Some Talented Help From Some Pros About Computer!***

[arsalanmustafa1989]

Hello Everyone,
after tons of "blah blah blah" from my family about me making the computer Slow slow slow i have decided to buy a computer for my self and i need some help.

EDIT: I DONT WANNA BUY A NEW COMPUTER IF I DONT NEED IT AS SOME HELPFUL RFDers TOLD ME. I RATHER SAVE MONEY AND BUY IT IN UNIVERSITY THANKS!!

Issue #1
I have a MDG (canadian company) P4 1.7 Ghz, 1gb ram, 80 gb HD, windows xp home, and i dont know the FSB.
OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name P4
System Manufacturer INTEL_
System Model D845GLLY
System Type X86-based PC
Processor x86 Family 15 Model 1 Stepping 2 GenuineIntel ~1700 Mhz
BIOS Version/Date Intel Corp. LY84510A.86A.0023.P09.0210250046, 10/25/2002
SMBIOS Version 2.3
Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS
System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Locale Canada
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)"
User Name P4\M.A.MUSTAFA
Time Zone Eastern Standard Time
Total Physical Memory 1,024.00 MB
Available Physical Memory 546.48 MB
Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB
Page File Space 2.53 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys

That is what found in the summary of system information i will post anything else if you ask.

The problem is i use limewire, IE (4-7 windows), Itunes, and bittorent. Now i dont use these at the same time but itunes or powerpoint alone is enough to make my computer work like a p1 so i think since it been 3 years i think i need to format the hard drive and do a fresh install of windows xp.
*I have two partitions one is like 4 gigs i think for windows alone and the other one is for everything else i guess
??? So how do i format it and reinstall the whole thing, without knowing DOS. Is there are simpilar way to make my computer fast?


Issue #2
On the above mentioned computer i have about 30+ gb of files that i would like to put ont he new computer i buy.
?? So can i do this with usb, or some other way , i dont have a external hard drive and dont want to spend the money. i do have a router so maybe someone can teach me how to set up a network connection or just teach me some other way! thanks in advance


Issue #3

EDIT: I DONT WANNA BUY A NEW COMPUTER IF I DONT NEED IT AS SOME HELPFUL RFDers TOLD ME. I RATHER SAVE MONEY AND BUY IT IN UNIVERSITY THANKS!!

For About $600 can i get a full computer, used( maybe here on rfd) or new that will handle Ie, Limewire, torrent, movie watching, Msn, and some other memory intensive things, but no real gaming or anything. I dont care if it is intel or amd, any reasonable 17inch or bigger monitor will do. and hdd i dont need more than 80 gigs.

* Do you guys thing $1050 would do me much better in terms of keeping the computer for alteast 3 years. because i am trying to get a job and will spend more moeny if it is worth it


Issue #4
When you buy a computer what are something you looks for because one company offers the same specs for 200 less than the others, but there has to be something fishy right? In other words what are bad about the following.

MDG (look at the one on left)


VS this one

Dell dimension 3100

Vs

MY current computer


Issue #5
Does Xp pro really make your computer go much faster over Xp home.


Thanks in advance for anybody who will help. I need serious help, i am trying to get a job and might be able to bump my budget so i am more looking to learn to become a better computer buyer. This will be a long process of atleast two months so please keep me updated.

GOTTA LOVE RFD AND ITS MEMBERS!!!

[Cyber6]

My first tip for you is NOT to buy MDG... now let me finish reading your post.


C.

[arsalanmustafa1989]

See thts why need help, why not buy mdg from the specs it looks fine! i guess my first mdg was a fault.

anyways read my post and help me thanks everyone

[700mb80min]

you definately need a re-install but you have the room to do it without deleting your existing os . you can move the files you need without a network on the one system. limewire and i-tunes are nothing for the system you posted and cant see a need for a second unless you want it .

[arsalanmustafa1989]

you definately need a re-install but you have the room to do it without deleting your existing os . you can move the files you need without a network on the one system. limewire and i-tunes are nothing for the system you posted and cant see a need for a second unless you want it .

I dont want a new computer if i dont need it but from the conditions right it seemed like there was no other way.

how can i move the files without a network.

and how do i do a reinstall without removing my current OS and shouldnt the hard drive me completly cleaned or is the computer only slow because of os and not the data on the hd. i can just defrag the hd and that will cover the hd part and leave me with just the os problem?

[Cyber6]

Issue #1
Reformatting and doing a fresh install of winXP is a very good idea. After 3 years.. bit Torrents/limewire are very hard on HDD.


Issue #2
No need to transfer the files. You can just add this HDD as a secondary HDD on the new computer.


Issue #3
4 gigs doesn't seem much for your OS. Leave at least 10 gigs for your OS.

Issue #4
Didn't check the links.. but DON't buy MDG.

Issue #5
Does Xp pro really make your computer go much faster over Xp home.

Not really. XP Pro is the same as XP Home only with a little more functionality. Ex. IIS, Networking.. etc. If you are not running a server.. there is really no need for you to have XP pro.



C.

[arsalanmustafa1989]

Issue #1
Reformatting and doing a fresh install of winXP is a very good idea. After 3 years.. bit Torrents/limewire are very hard on HDD.


Issue #2
No need to transfer the files. You can just add this HDD as a secondary HDD on the new computer.


Issue #3
4 gigs doesn't seem much for your OS. Leave at least 10 gigs for your OS.

Issue #4
Didn't check the links.. but DON't buy MDG.

Issue #5
Does Xp pro really make your computer go much faster over Xp home.

Not really. XP Pro is the same as XP Home only with a little more functionality. Ex. IIS, Networking.. etc. If you are not running a server.. there is really no need for you to have XP.



C.

how do i reformat.

i do need to transfer the files cuz i need to have this hard drive in this computer. i dont want a new computer if this can work better.

the mdg ppl left the 4 gigs not me i dont know how to do any of it.

why is mdg so bad?

[Cyber6]

See thts why need help, why not buy mdg from the specs it looks fine! i guess my first mdg was a fault.

anyways read my post and help me thanks everyone

MDG uses low quality components.. reason why their prices are very competitive. Rule of thumb.. if it looks too good to be true, run the other way..


Dell get most RFDs thumbs up.


C.

[700mb80min]

simply insert your xp disc ( i`ll mail you one if needed ) and do a re-install . watch the prompts to be sure to not delete the existing os you have . you will end up with two xp`s and transfer the files via explorer to the new os. now delete the first and you`re good to go.

if you simply want a cleaning to get you back to your original capabilities on the xp you are currently using , pm me tomorrow and we`ll do a step by step cleaning including the registary and get your system back to the way it shoud run.

[arsalanmustafa1989]

MDG uses low quality components.. reason why their prices are very competitive. Rule of thumb.. if it looks too good to be true, run the other way..


Dell get most RFDs thumbs up.


C.

but arent most things standard like inter processor and mother board, kingston ram. or are you talking about more detailed components. sorry i am new at this stuff and i need step by step guidline .

[Cyber6]

how do i reformat.

i do need to transfer the files cuz i need to have this hard drive in this computer. i dont want a new computer if this can work better.

the mdg ppl left the 4 gigs not me i dont know how to do any of it.

why is mdg so bad?

If you are going to keep this computer, then back up all your files. 30 gigs of data will take around 6 to 7 DVD's. After you backed up your files, insert the WinXP CD. Change the boot order to your optical drive (by pressing F1 or F8... it will show up on the boot up screen).

When the system boots from the CD.. you follow the directions to wipe out the hardrive and re-install the operating system.

C.

[arsalanmustafa1989]

If you are going to keep this computer, then back up all your files. 30 gigs of data will take around 6 to 7 DVD's. After you backed up your files, insert the WinXP CD. Change the boot order to your optical drive (by pressing F1 or F8... it will show up on the boot up screen).

When the system boots from the CD.. you follow the directions to wipe out the hardrive and re-install the operating system.

C.

sorry i dont have a dvd burner i do have a cd burner. my computer came with a xp cd but i dont think its bootable. how can i create a bootable disk.

[Cyber6]

but arent most things standard like inter processor and mother board, kingston ram. or are you talking about more detailed components. sorry i am new at this stuff and i need step by step guidline .

There are good mobos and not-so good mobos. There are good HDD (hard disk drives), and Not so good ones (Seagate/Maxtor).. I don't even think MDG uses kingston RAM. You also need a good power supply, good cooling system..etc. Some people have complained of MDG systems going up in smoke in a period of months.


C.

[arsalanmustafa1989]

There are good mobos and not-so good mobos. There are good HDD (hard disk drives), and Not so good ones (Seagate/Maxtor).. I don't even think MDG uses kingston RAM. You also need a good power supply, good cooling system..etc. Some people have complained of MDG systems going up in smoke in a period of months.


C.

i guess i got one of the better mdg`s but lets dump mdg as a new computer company.
i need help to fix this mdg up and once that is done i will see if i really do need a new computer , because if this one works fine then my family wont bug me anymore

[Cyber6]

sorry i dont have a dvd burner i do have a cd burner. my computer came with a xp cd but i dont think its bootable. how can i create a bootable disk.

A cheap upgrade that is a must. A DVD burner nowadays will cost you around $50. It is excellent for backinng up data. All that stuff that you download from BitTorrents and Limewire should go on DVD's.


C.