Simple OS

L

Lex

New Member
I do own also a very old, slow laptop. The operating system is an outdated and very slow version of Windows. I would like to use this old-timer as a library system to play my huge collection MP3’s, stored on an external hard disc.
I hooked it up to my home theatre system and it works well.
To speed the laptop up, I deleted everything on the drive, except the old Windows operating system.
Accidently, I erased also some Window related files. The result is that the machine is even slower during start-up.
I’m now contemplating to remove also the Window operating system and install a simple freeware operating system and just install iTunes. No other software is needed on this machine.
Now, how to proceed? Can I format my hard drives? Or what?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Lex
 
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You may be able to use a light Linux os, but that will depend on support for your hardware.

What exactly are the specs of your laptop?
 
The laptop is a Toshiba Satellite L20-155
Processor type : Intel® Celeron® M Processor 360J
snelheid : 1,40 GHz
Front Side Bus : 400 MHz
2nd level cache : 1 MB

Thnx

Lex
 
We need to know how much RAM and hard drive you have too. That will be all of the info needed to tell us if it can run a linux or not.

I will start looking up compatibility now anyway.
 
seems like your set actually. Thats a fairly recent CPU (post netburst), and its running DDR2, DVDRW and wifi. The way you were talking, I was expecting a P3 or Athlon XP based system.

You should be fine with your windows if you want to try to keep it. You might need some RAM to keep up, but thats a cheap enough upgrade $27 to max it.

If you still want to get a freeware OS, get Ubuntu 10.04.3 or linux mint 10. These should run fine on it when you upgrade the RAM.
 
Following some more details.

Processor type : Intel® Celeron® M Processor 360J
snelheid : 1,40 GHz
Front Side Bus : 400 MHz
2nd level cache : 1 MB

Systeemgeheugen standaard : 512 MB
technologie : DDR2 RAM
Harde schijf capaciteit : 60 GB
certificatie : S.M.A.R.T.
toerental : 5.400 rpm

I have to change the OS, since a part of my present OS has been deleted by me.
 
I forgot that part.

Have you ever used a Linux or Unix system before? I can give you some more detailed advice based on your skill level.
 
I'd just as soon use a fresh install of XP..

Would be easier than setting up a Linux Distro and then getting iTunes running on it through wine.
 
Itunes isn't wine friendly.

It would be easier to use VLC or teh included media player to run the MP3s on linux.

Windows XP reinstall would be the best bet, but thats only if you already have a XP disk or restore disk for it.
 
wolfeking said:
I forgot that part.

Have you ever used a Linux or Unix system before? I can give you some more detailed advice based on your skill level.
Click to expand...
I have no skills related to computers. So, please start easy.
I bought that machine about six years ago with an installed Windows onn it.
No back-up or disk available. I like to start from scratch with this machine.
Thanks.
Lex
 
It's not out of the question for it to have a recovery partition. Look into that, it would be the easiest option.
 
wolfeking said:
Itunes isn't wine friendly.

It would be easier to use VLC or teh included media player to run the MP3s on linux.

Windows XP reinstall would be the best bet, but thats only if you already have a XP disk or restore disk for it.
Click to expand...

Oh, I don't use iTunes personally, that's just what the OP wanted.
 
Since you're still able to boot into Windows, why not try using System Restore? There is a slight possibility there is a restore point from when you first got the laptop. If there isn't, there should be atleast one from before the time you deleted essential files. This is just what I would try first.
 
looks like your laptop can run xp fine there might be errors in the registry
have you tried using ccleaner and a antivirus/malware program

linux might be a good idea but dont put itunes on it it makes it very slow and sluggish
 
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