Re use an old laptop

DeSelby83

I have an old laptop thats been out of action for a few years but I'm trying to get it back up and running. I had taken true harddrive out of it some time ago and uses elsewhere.
I now have a blank harddrive that I can use in it but have no idea how to get the os onto it. Has anyone any tips on how to do this.
Thanks

make sure that you're using an ssd.

a 120gb sata 2.5 inch ssd is only 20 euro and 10 times faster than an old HDD

don't go putting an old spinning hdd into it.

download windows 10 iso from microsoft for free on another laptop and create a windows install usb key (google this . 8gb required min)

set usb to allow bootable in bios if necessary (again google)

it's pretty straightforward but a bit of googling for a guide your part

What he said except of it's old, old then XP or Linux, etc is probable a better bet

pioneerpro

DeSelby83 wrote: »

I have an old laptop thats been out of action for a few years but I'm trying to get it back up and running. I had taken true harddrive out of it some time ago and uses elsewhere.
I now have a blank harddrive that I can use in it but have no idea how to get the os onto it. Has anyone any tips on how to do this.
Thanks

Insert blank harddrive into laptop and put it back together.

If its not an SSD don't bother your arse in 2021.

Then create a Win10 install USB

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/create-installation-media-for-windows-99a58364-8c02-206f-aa6f-40c3b507420d

Boot her up with USB in place and away you go

pioneerpro

Niner leprauchan wrote: »

What he said except of it's old, old then XP or Linux, etc is probable a better bet

Don't listen to this utter nonsense.

Windows XP security and patch support ended April 8, 2014. If you want to end up getting hacked/ransomware attacks/personal information stolen by all means go ahead.

As for Linux, if you don't know how to create boot media without asking, debugging drivers, establishing parity of support, and learning a new Operating System on a legacy laptop is going to be so far beyond you its not worth attempting.

Zenify

Do yourself a favor, get a new one.

This is cheap as chips:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B088WQRFK5/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_GWZ0N23WDS2GXMBNPPSV

0lddog

What level of resources ( processor, RAM, mass storage ) are needed to support Win 10 for basic applications ?

And....pros and cons of using Win 8.1 rather than 10 ?

( thinking of putting a retired Tosh lappy back to work )

pioneerpro

0lddog wrote: »

What level of resources ( processor, RAM, mass storage ) are needed to support Win 10 for basic applications ?

And....pros and cons of using Win 8.1 rather than 10 ?

( thinking of putting a retired Tosh lappy back to work )

10 is more optimised. Literally runs on tablets and SoC and compute sticks.

No benefits whatsoever to using Win 8.1

Can go as low as 2gb RAM/1ghz Atom/16gb space for a base install on the 64bit version. Less in fact, but that's about as low as is usable.

Just be aware that Chrome alone will happily use just as much resources as the entire operating system and shouldn't be considered a 'basic application'.

pioneerpro

pioneerpro wrote: »

Don't listen to this utter nonsense.

Windows XP security and patch support ended April 8, 2014. If you want to end up getting hacked/ransomware attacks/personal information stolen by all means go ahead.

As for Linux, if you don't know how to create boot media without asking, debugging drivers, establishing parity of support, and learning a new Operating System on a legacy laptop is going to be so far beyond you its not worth attempting.

Multiple systems still running XP just fine. Not everyone is downloading virus laden software

pioneerpro

Niner leprauchan wrote: »

Multiple systems still running XP just fine. Not everyone is downloading virus laden software

You're not just dangerous, you're arrogant to boot.

Windows XP attack vectors go far beyond downloading and running an infected binary in 2021. But you'd know that if you knew what you were talking about.