Computer Slow, videos/audio choppy

[cauzomb]

You can use the disc/media that they provide you to format the disk, but you will end up with an un-alligned hard disk, which is not ideal for audio and video streaming..


The step that you would want to do, Idealy; AFTER you have scanned and backup your data.. Sorry when I said "DO THIS NOW" and before that post, I said to delete the partition and didn't mention "AFTER YOU BACKUP" but I'm pretty sure that's a given.. you don't want to delete your drive or format your drive till after you have backed up your data..


I think ANY vista with disk management/ any windows 7 with disk management, as long as they are clean/ virus free.. The reason I say any vista or 7 OS installed PC to do the formatting is that windows xp cannot align the partition, and Vista/windows 7 do it automatically, without anty special commands......

You need to remove the partition information and then create a new partition in vista or windows 7 to create an alligned partition.. Or with the use of a vista repair/recovery boot CD, a command prompt and some command lines, using DISKPAR "need more instructions for that"..

Whatever is easier for you, or if you don't worry about disk allignment, just use the included media to prep your disk.. Most people won't notice the difference in alignment in day to day use of their PC, but since you mention you do streaming audio/video.. I figured you should do it..

When you format the new partition, uncheck perform quick format. If you used a vista or 7 computer to allign the partition, do not re-format the partition when you re-install windows xp. "choose the partition that you created in the other OS, but do not change the filesystem or reformat.. The option durring windows text mode setup is "install windows on "something something" and leave existing filesystem" or something like that. the other options are format ntfs =full format/quick format.. use full format from the installation media if you do not do the disk allignment.

[jholland1964]

Dom, stick now with cauzomb who is much more knowledgeable when reformatting to better repair your video/audio problems.
Judy

[cauzomb]

I'll be here if you need some more help

[DomHennig]

Thank you for everything Judy.

Cauzomb - Thank you for helping as well. I will be reformating my computer this week, I need to get to the store to get some Blank CD's to burn some of my files.

I think I am going to skip on the windows 7/vista partition thing. I think that is too over my head, as well as taking my hard drive out and backing it up on someone elses computer.

At 18, I believe I am above average in knowledge of computers, but for some reason, maybe because it is over chat room, it just sounds too complicated for me. I think I am just going to reformat and be back to normal.

[cauzomb]

no prob, I don't want you to think that I'm twisting your arm on the disk formatting instructions. If you can burn a CD, and can do the steps to reformat and re-installing xp, via your restore media; you wouldn't have any trouble on the software side of the re-formatting with the other PC to gain an aligned partition but the hardware side of things "removing the hard drive" is a little more involved, I understand your concerns there.

If need any help with the restoring let me know.. also, copy down, or print out the instructions from the dell website on the reformatting/re-installation procedure, they may require that certain drivers be installed in a specific order, after installing windows.

[DomHennig]

Looking to restore my computer tonight, going over the steps and here is some I do not understand:

Check to ensure that all your installation media is available. You will need the following:
The Dell Operating System Reinstallation CD/DVD,
The Dell™ Reinstallation CD for Microsoft® Windows® XP
The Dell Resource CD/DVD,
Any application install disks,
Any software and/or documentation for your Internet service connection,
Any install discs for any external devices (such as a printer) and internal devices added to the computer after it was shipped by Dell.

I have the Dell Reinstallation DVD (Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Version 2005 with Update Rollup 2). And my printer installation CD.

Install discs for Internal Devices?
Resoruce CD/DVD? (I believe that is the CD it comes with to install the drivers, OR you can get them online, so I am fine for that)
Software for Internet Service Connection?

Do I need those?





1.) Insert the Windows XP CD into the CD drive. Is that the "Dell Reinstallation DVD (Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Version 2005 with Update Rollup 2)."?


2.) After I reformat the computer it says to reinstall my drivers. One of the drivers is "Touchpad, Pointer, Trackstick, Mice, and Keyboards". How am I supposed to go online and navigate through the computer if my Keyboard/Mouse is not working? Or am I reading too much into that?



That's all I do not understand, the rest looks like I can handle.



Thanks in Advance!

[cauzomb]

The pointing device drivers should be on the resource disk; drivers downloads, that you should have on-hand, prior to re-installing, if the generic drivers do not work, a standard USB 101 keyboard and mouse plugged into the back of the laptop might give you control of the computer untill you get the support software needed to finish the install; keyboard/touchpad, pointer stick drivers installed.

Install discs for Internal Devices? These are the drivers that Judy was saying to enter your service tag for and download from dell.com probly support, downloads software "drivers" for the hardware inside your laptop "ethernet controler, mainboard/chipset drivers/ onboard video drivers" "sound card/chip drivers" or any add-on peripheral, pcmcia network adapter, firewire controller etc.

[cauzomb]

~"Software for Internet Service Connection? Do I need those?"

Probly not, you should be able to auto-connect to a broadband modem via wireless or wired, using the windows internet connection wizard, unless your ISP requires that you have a "domain host" and login password, or something else.

Before you go online there are some security things to consider. If you do not use remote desktop, or netmeeting, you should find and read a before you go online windows services guide, to increase your PC's security; turning off extra un-needed internet services and protocls for the ethernet/networking adapter will help close the open and inviting doorways into your computer that hackers know about..

[DomHennig]

While looking through the Drivers & Downloads,

For Chipset there are two items, Diagnostics there are two, Network there are three.

Do I download all of those when I reboot, or just one of each, or?

[DomHennig]

Here goes nothing....Reformating..

wish me luck