I think I still have every hard drive I have ever owned. from computers and TV recorders. Laptop hard drives usually have a lot of hidden system and restoration software taking up space. Often they are split into 2 separate virtual drives. You can use Disc Manager to format them back to their original empty condition.
One tip when copying an existing Windows install over to a new SSD drive, always remember to use software that properly sets up Windows for use on an SSD, e.g. so it configures TRIM mode otherwise over time the drive will become screwed. Mechanical drives do not store data the same as a static memory drive like an SSD, so the files are organised and accessed differently which can cause errors if done incorrectly. I think the free software MiniTool - Partition Wizard can very quickly setup a new drive and prepare it with TRIM alignment. It's also on the very handy free DVD disc toolkit "Hiren's Boot CD PE x64 (Windows 11)". Other versions of this disc are available for the version of Windows you wish to use (XP, 7, 10 etc). No install necessary, runs from optical drive or can boot from it, into a full Windows system without installing that and run the software tools from inside that as normal. Been around for years and years, I have been using it for 12 years or more.
Worth noting is that you can put new life into old computers like old laptops by replacing the hard drive with an SSD (Solid State Drive) and maybe upgrading the memory on the cheap. You can also install the Linux operating system, Linux Mint, or Ubuntu are a good choice. You can still use all kinds of free software for business use, including open-office for example. Definitely worth considering. I've done this in the past with older hardware. Also worth noting is that you should be careful with 2.5" magnetic hard drives, they do not like shock or static electricity, so handle them carefully. :)
I started my journey back in 1990 using computers on an IT course, my favourite module was using an Apple SE20, since then I’ve had many Apple computers, & I love my iPad for every day use, I will never use windows laptops or PCs ever again, I hate the windows OS, it’s full of unnecessary rap. Whereas Apples operating system is the best for reliability and security because it’s based on the Unix system from the late 80s early 90s, Apples products are expensive, But you get what you pay for! I’ve never looked back 🖥️
It's easy to take a stock Windows install and thin it down to what you need. Often there are ready made modded disc images online, that are already fully thinned down with all the memory, hard drive and cpu hogging crap removed. I've upgraded many laptops circa mid-2000s with SSD hard drives (some a mere £15 new 128GB), max out the RAM to say 4GB and max the cpu to whatever it can take. All this can cost less than £50 in total, but massively increase the speed and performance. I'm still using IBM / Lenovo Thinkpads released betweem 2005 and 2012 (Z61p, W520 etc), fully upgraded and doing great work for me every day. Also with the older ones that struggle with RUclips and other videos, I just put in a cheap Broadcom video decoder card for £10, install PotPlayer and configure it to use that card. If the laptop is a bit newer, you can set PotPlayer to use the dedicated Nvidia GPU chip and ignore the slower Intel one on the laptop motherboard. The IBM Lenovo Thinkpads are the best in the business, and unlike Apple they actively encourage you to open them up yourself and upgrade them. They have service manuals readily available online for every model, going right back to the 1990s. Oh and the build quality and engineering design/features with Thinkpads is legendary. Most other brands I consider disposable in that regard.
@@EgoShredder if it’s right for you then that’s fine, it’s just that because I started with apple at college in 1989, when I was doing a DTP module, loved it, and I’ve had various Apple macs, a couple of iPads, I just love the OS & safari, I won’t be going back to windows any time soon🤗
Thanks for sharing this! Your step-by-step guide is perfect for tech enthusiasts and beginners alike i like it your tips
I think I still have every hard drive I have ever owned. from computers and TV recorders. Laptop hard drives usually have a lot of hidden system and restoration software taking up space. Often they are split into 2 separate virtual drives. You can use Disc Manager to format them back to their original empty condition.
One tip when copying an existing Windows install over to a new SSD drive, always remember to use software that properly sets up Windows for use on an SSD, e.g. so it configures TRIM mode otherwise over time the drive will become screwed. Mechanical drives do not store data the same as a static memory drive like an SSD, so the files are organised and accessed differently which can cause errors if done incorrectly. I think the free software MiniTool - Partition Wizard can very quickly setup a new drive and prepare it with TRIM alignment. It's also on the very handy free DVD disc toolkit "Hiren's Boot CD PE x64 (Windows 11)". Other versions of this disc are available for the version of Windows you wish to use (XP, 7, 10 etc). No install necessary, runs from optical drive or can boot from it, into a full Windows system without installing that and run the software tools from inside that as normal. Been around for years and years, I have been using it for 12 years or more.
Worth noting is that you can put new life into old computers like old laptops by replacing the hard drive with an SSD (Solid State Drive) and maybe upgrading the memory on the cheap. You can also install the Linux operating system, Linux Mint, or Ubuntu are a good choice. You can still use all kinds of free software for business use, including open-office for example. Definitely worth considering. I've done this in the past with older hardware. Also worth noting is that you should be careful with 2.5" magnetic hard drives, they do not like shock or static electricity, so handle them carefully. :)
It's better practice to properly eject USB drives - particularly hard drives - so as to minimise the risk of data loss/corruption and/or crashes. :)
I started my journey back in 1990 using computers on an IT course, my favourite module was using an Apple SE20, since then I’ve had many Apple computers, & I love my iPad for every day use, I will never use windows laptops or PCs ever again, I hate the windows OS, it’s full of unnecessary rap. Whereas Apples operating system is the best for reliability and security because it’s based on the Unix system from the late 80s early 90s, Apples products are expensive, But you get what you pay for! I’ve never looked back 🖥️
Lol. I'm the opposite. I loathe anything Apple. I'd never give up my Windows or Android! :D
It's easy to take a stock Windows install and thin it down to what you need. Often there are ready made modded disc images online, that are already fully thinned down with all the memory, hard drive and cpu hogging crap removed. I've upgraded many laptops circa mid-2000s with SSD hard drives (some a mere £15 new 128GB), max out the RAM to say 4GB and max the cpu to whatever it can take. All this can cost less than £50 in total, but massively increase the speed and performance. I'm still using IBM / Lenovo Thinkpads released betweem 2005 and 2012 (Z61p, W520 etc), fully upgraded and doing great work for me every day. Also with the older ones that struggle with RUclips and other videos, I just put in a cheap Broadcom video decoder card for £10, install PotPlayer and configure it to use that card. If the laptop is a bit newer, you can set PotPlayer to use the dedicated Nvidia GPU chip and ignore the slower Intel one on the laptop motherboard. The IBM Lenovo Thinkpads are the best in the business, and unlike Apple they actively encourage you to open them up yourself and upgrade them. They have service manuals readily available online for every model, going right back to the 1990s. Oh and the build quality and engineering design/features with Thinkpads is legendary. Most other brands I consider disposable in that regard.
@@EgoShredder if it’s right for you then that’s fine, it’s just that because I started with apple at college in 1989, when I was doing a DTP module, loved it, and I’ve had various Apple macs, a couple of iPads, I just love the OS & safari, I won’t be going back to windows any time soon🤗
@@workinprogresssince1974 there you go you hate it I love it, Nuffield said 🤗