New Laptop (new to me that is)

[Dopey]

Someone just gave me a laptop (Compaq nc63020) to say its slow would be an understatement (I think its running off steam lol) I have tryed to update it (it was slow so I left it updating overnight, after 12 hours it and it got to 104 updates out of 138, then I just got angry and couldn't be bothered to wait until it was done so turned it off, can someone tell me how to simply reset this (I have a win7 disk to load it up again) please, I need everything off this so I can start it all afresh thanks

[RandyL]

To reinstall Windows on a HP/Compaq you might want to use the recovery media or recover from the hard drive. These instructions should be similar to yours. HP nc6300 Maintenance And Service Manual

 

If you use a full Windows 7 set of disks instead of the recovery media you will need the product key supplied with the disks and the product key can only be activated on one computer at a time. So if it's already in use it would need to be de-activated on that computer first before you can use it on this computer.

[KenB]

Hi,

I think you may find that the machine that you have is a HP6302 ........you put an extra 0 I think.

 

I found this manual that may be useful at some point - http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c00805752.pdf

[Dopey]

Ken your right m8, Randy thanks, for the links from you both

[Dopey]

I think I wil stick this one in the bin, cant get it to improve at all, all I wanted it for was to do the electronics and diagnostics on my car, it was small enough to put into the glove box

[KenB]

Hi Dopey

 

Randy gave you a link to re-installing from a partition on the hard drive itself.

Have you tried this - it is not as difficult as it sounds :)

 

Otherwise - if you don't want anything from the hard-drive itself - just pop the Win7 disk in and re-boot.

It will take you through the install process and format the drive in the process.

 

Nothing to lose if you are wiping the drive content anyway :)

[Dopey]

When I try to format it, it says "the driver is in use another program process is using this drive you want to format it anyway?" but it still wont let me do it, and I have tried to do this in safe mode too so its not doing it for me

[KenB]

It sounds as if you are trying to do this from within Windows ?

 

Put the DVD in the drive and switch off in the usual way.

Then switch on again.

The machine should boot from the DVD and allow you to format and re-install.

 

If it boots up normally then you will need to change the BOOT ORDER in the BIOS.

This is not difficult.

 

Shut down then switch on.

Immediately start tapping F2 and DEL alternately.

One of these keys is usually the one to access the BIOS.

Once in look for - Boot Sequence / Boot order or similar [ there are many variations on the BIOS ]

You navigate around with the arrow keys.

 

If you have problems with F2 / DEL it will say on screen "Press ** to enter Set Up" - this is usually lower left of screen - it is this key that will give you access to the BIOS.

You do have to be quite quick.

 

Once you have located the Boot Order - the CD DVD should be first in the order.

If it isn't then it needs to be moved up.

Do this by clicking on it to highlight and use the up arrow or + key to move it up to the top.

It will say on screen how to do this.

 

Once you have it at the top of the list Save and Exit - usually F10

 

Reboot - it should now boot off the disk.

 

Any problems give me a shout and I will find a link that explains it a bit better :)

Needless to say - DO NOT make any other changes in the BIOS.

[Dopey]

Thanks ken I will give that a try on the weekend