Almost computer illiterate normie by Jow Forums standards, I have a problem I hope you can help me with.
In 2013, I got one of those ransomware viruses on my laptop. Having already made copies of everything important on an external disk, I figured that the six year old laptop itself was worth less than what the ransomware demanded, and I had no guarantee that I would get anything back even if I paid, so I just used this as an excuse to buy a new one.
Fast forward to 2019. I had a thought that two separate laptops could be useful for a number of things, so I tried turning the old laptop on. To begin with, it runs, showing all the initial logon screens, but after logging on, the screen is just white with a mouse arrow. Not even the initial ransom message. Also, this is an expired version of Vista, so there's that.
tl;dr hardware is fine but software is fucked in at least two different ways, can I get a working laptop from this?
>Almost computer illiterate normie by Jow Forums standards. Do you think neets here can code ? Jow Forums is just autistic electronic users that seem to know more than a normie like you.
Oliver Carter
Just reinstall the system and stop watching gay porn, shouldn't be too difficult.
Brody Price
Install linux
Carson Rodriguez
serious answer: yes, you absolutely should be able to as long as the bios is unaffected
you should be able to check this by searching up your model's BIOS key, which is usually one of the F keys. figure that out, try spamming the key as soon as it turns on, then it may open the bios. if that works, get a USB with windows iso flashed onto it (or loonix if you're up for it)
anyway, on your other laptop, flash that onto a USB. boot into that (look in your bios for a boot option after plugging in the USB) and reinstall windows
ezpz
as for the vista issue, i have no fucking idea. install loonix or get windows 10
Ayden Johnson
Thank you. I will try to follow these steps.
Zachary Moore
np man i'll be watching this thread while i do werk
Logan Ward
>Going through all that bullshit on a six-year old Windows laptop
user, pls ignore this tech-illiterate retard..look-up the recovery method for your brand & model of your laptop, and try it. If it works, you're good. If not, THEN make a bootable Windows flash drive from whichever version of Windows 7 you had. Links available from here: pcsteps.com/45-download-windows-7-iso-legally-free-digital-river/
Michael Myers
>ignore this retard >look it up Jow Forums never fails to amuse me
Jason Peterson
*Vista, I meant. But dear God, at least grab a Windows 7 ISO instead..Vista is awful.
Jacob Walker
Takes me three minutes to download an ISO, and the proper activation method, but I don't try and spell all that out for tech-illiterates. How the hell is OP supposed to be able to run an unactivated copy of Windows 10 on a Vista laptop, you cretin?
Sebastian Adams
told him to get windows 10 or loonix brainlet
Ethan Davis
He can't even figure-out how to restore Vista on his laptop, he won't be able to install and comfortably-run Linux. And unactivated Windows 10 on a Vista laptop? Are you serious?
Alexander Butler
You could have googled it and gotten the answer instead of shitting up the board more ya mong
Luke Long
I tried this, but it seems either the BIOS or the hardware does not recognize the USB drive. Do you have any idea if I did something wrong, or if it's a problem with the computer?
Also, for some reason, CMD has been disabled by admin.
Xavier Howard
hahahah i can't help imagining you with a fedora, weighing 300kg, and thinking you look cool
Oliver Ward
anyone know this guy's routine?
Brayden Cook
Wait, you can't reinstall windows? It is easy. 0. Get drivers from manufacturers' website. (at least networking and WiFi) 1. Download Windows 10 from official Microsoft website. No key needed, as long as you're fine with "Activate now watermark". 2. Use designated tool (will work on any computer), or just simply copy ISO contents to USB flash formatted FAT32 (will work only on modern laptops with UEFI) 3. Reboot laptop, press F12 or whatever Delete to get into boot media selection menu 4. Select your flash drive 5. Install windows wiping hard drive. 6. Install drivers from manufacturers' website, if Windows haven't installed them for you.
Or even better. 1. Go to gentoo.org 2. Download Hybrid ISO 3. Download Installation handbook 4. Install Gentoo
Ethan Price
Try other USB zip disquette. Do you have UEFI, or classic BIOS? Make screen shot of setup utility
Benjamin Hughes
Well you actually had a backup so you're more computer literate than 75% of the people on here
Jace Diaz
I have a handful of printable CDs around, is it possible to burn the ISO file onto one of those, or do I need a DVD? I'm thinking the issue I'm having might have to do with the USB port, for either hardware or software reasons.
Elijah Martin
Oh, if your old laptop has working optical drive - it is even better. You would need a DVD. At least for Windows. For GNU/Linux, you can get away with net-install and CD, but I have doubts you want GNU/Linux... You may give a try if you have time to waste. Older computers are picky about USB boot, so it is OK.
Chase Sanders
Yes, it's manufactured in 2006, so the USB might well be simply too old. DVD it is, then, if I can find a cheap one. Too bad a regular CD will not be good enough.
Kevin Thompson
>normie
Angel Rogers
>Yes, it's manufactured in 2006 Wow, that old... Back then not all PCs had ability to boot from USB. And it is 100% BIOS-based machine. I think Windows 10 is overkill for it. What specs? >DVD it is, then, if I can find a cheap one. Too bad a regular CD will not be good enough. It would be enough for GNU/Linux net-install ISO.
Daniel Gomez
>What specs? I think it has 2GB of total memory, but other than that, I have no idea. Maybe an older system would indeed be more appropriate, if available.
I must admit that I have never had anything to do with GNU/Linux in my life, how hard is it to learn? How much work will I have to put in to make my computer browse the Internet, for example?
Benjamin Scott
>GNU/Linux in my life, how hard is it to learn? I don't know, honestly. I guess not, but you might be confused by terminology. >How much work will I have to put in to make my computer browse the Internet, for example? Depends on WiFi card. Some laptops had WiFi card which requires proprietary driver, which is pain in the ass to install on many distribution.
Anyway, considering age of laptop, I'd recommend installing something with lightweight DE (desktop environment), like XFCE. xubuntu.org/download/ Scroll down to Minimal CD...
Mason Adams
Lightweight desktop environment, does that mean it's easy to use?
As for Internet connection, I actually have the opportunity to use a physical cable if need be.
Landon Adams
>does that mean it's easy to use? Light on computer resources. XFCE is more-less easy to use. >, I actually have the opportunity to use a physical cable if need be. This is great, and you would need it for net-install actually.
Jackson Mitchell
Sounds like something that could work reasonably well with what I have available. What are the system capabilities? Will I be able to access most sites and use files as I have only used Windows before?
Owen Hill
>What are the system capabilities? Will I be able to access most sites Yes. >use files as I have only used Windows before? Depends on files. If there is an alternative program for Linux, it might work. Like, office documents and stuff. If it is something specific, which requires windows only software - not really. In very few cases you can run windows program under wine (thing that emulates windows), and sorta use it.
In any case, you won't be doing something serious on that laptop, since it would be slow in any case. Videos, web browsing, office things - all this will work.
Owen Davis
Oh, yeah, main difference between Windows and Linux. Linux in most cases have a program (usually runs in command prompt, but you can get graphical wrapper) to install programs. It automatically downloads it, and installs. In windows, you know, you download it somewhere else and install.
Zachary Kelly
Standard picture and video files, such as jpg, png and mp4?
Camden Turner
Will I be unable to install Linux if for some reason I don't have the admin password for the computer in question, or will that not matter?
Ayden Garcia
Yes. For videos you might need to install codecs, but that is easy enough. You just google "whatever-distro install codecs". No, it doesn't matter, since I'd recommend to format a drive anyway, and install Windows fresh. Btw, linux will require formatting too.
Aiden Watson
How do I format the drive? Will it happen automatically upon install, or does it require previous action?
Xavier Rogers
It will ask you. In Linux you may select "use entire drive". (Depends on distro, in some cases you'd have to format yourself) In Windows you'd have to delete all stuff, and create new partition, and it is explained there good.
Brandon King
I wish you could see me, laughing at this tardthread. Wrong on all guesses, btw.
Gabriel Allen
Why won't you try to help me instead of calling me a tard?
The other guys in this thread are each worth ten of you.
Matthew Nelson
Idk, you better watch some videos on youtube, you will get an idea where you need to click
Luke Evans
I did but you chose to listen to that other illiterateanon instead. Besides: >Jow Forums is not your tech-support Even the most ridiculous Youtube tutorial is a better resource than Jow Forums..how would anyone get help from a board of anonymous random shitposts? Get back to your helplarp, I'm turning notifications for this awful thread off.
