Installation or Restoration...oh yeah...and RAM

Hello, Hello,

I am going to purchase a Notebook with Windows 7 Premium pre-installed. The salesman I spoke to said that it doesn't come with the OS Disc or Restoration Discs. The only way I can get the Notebook back up and running if I have problems is if I make my own Restoration Discs (3 - 4 DVD's). I asked if I could install Windows 7 Home Peremium (Retail) from the disc I have already purchased (activated on another pc) & use the Product Key from the Notebook to set up the Notebook to my liking but he said no. Is he telling me the truth or can I use my own Win 7 disc, the notebooks Product Key & successfully activate for internet use?

The Notebooks specs are
Model number: C650/01E
Processor: Core i3 350 2.26GHZ
HDD: 320GB
Win 7 Premium
DVD Writer
15.6 Widescreen
Onboard Graphics: Not stated
Intergrated Wireless
2GB RAM

The salesman also said that the 2GB RAM wasn't enough & that I needed 4GB, (like the more expensive model next to it) even though I told him the notebook was primarily going to be used for internet surfing (wireless) with a little bit of audio playback (iTunes) & the occasional movie. Is 2GB RAM enough for what I intend to do?

Thanks,

Shantelle

2GB is adequate for the 32 bit version of Windows 7.

Microsoft generally requires tha a Windows PC be sold with a means of restoring the OS. Unfortunately, some (most?) notepook PCs only come with a restoration partition on the HD. That's of little use if the HD fails. The recovery DVDs that you're allowed to make would be handy then. (I imagine that either the recovery partition or the disks would restore any crapware that came with the system. Does Toshiba give you much of that?)

I've never done it, but I believe that it's possible to convert a retail install CD into a generic CD that would install the version of Win7 that is determined by your key. Search on "ei.cfg".

go to a different store. Or use the internet.

That laptop sure is outdated. The last time I saw a laptop with 2 Gb was a long time ago.
ALL laptops have 3 GB when they have 32-bit OS. But honestly, most $ 500 laptops already have 4 GB and 64-bit OS (and sure have the restore discs)

the on-board graphics also use some of the RAM.

My 4.5 year old laptop has 2 GB and W7 and runs fine. But if it was a new laptop I'd use the 4 GB. Unless the laptop cost $ 300 and you really need to save moeny, then 2 GB woudl be acceptable for your usage pattern.

Shantelle,

First 2 GB is plenty for what you will be doing.

If you would mention both the manufacturer and the model then we could come up with whether or not it is possible to add more ram.

As said though, 2 GB is enough and plenty. Remember that's the upper limit for many netbooks.

Second, nowadays, not getting a DVD with Windows on it is very common.
Use the laptops option to make a set of backup DVD's. This will allow you to put the laptop back to the original status in case of a disaster.

Third, make a System Repair Disc. You will need this to handle many emergency and problem situations.

Fourth, buy an external USB disk and perform a system image backup of your laptop. This will also allow you to restore your laptop to the original status (assuming you made a System Repair Disc).

CREATE A SYSTEM REPAIR DISC

START | type System Repair | Enter key | Create Disc button

CREATE AND RESTORE A SYSTEM IMAGE

CREATE A SYSTEM IMAGE BACKUP
· START | type Backup your computer | Enter key
· In left-hand pane, select Create a System Image
· select where you want to save the backup | Next
· Select the drives you want to backup | Next
· Start Backup button
· Finish button after completion


RESTORE A SYSTEM IMAGE BACKUP
· Boot from the System Repair CD you created.
· Connect the external drive with the backup image
· NEXT button (change language if desired)
· Restore your computer using a system image
that you created earlier radio button
· NEXT button
· Use the latest available system image radio button
· NEXT button
· Format and repartition discs checkbox
· NEXT button
· FINISH button
· YES button

Shantelle,

To help us help you and so that the info is always there, then use Speccy to gather info about your notebook and the copy/paste that info into your System Specs.

SPECCY- System Information Tool
http://www.piriform.com/speccy

FREE. Operating System, CPU and Temp, Ram, Motherboard, Graphics, Hard Drives, Optical Drives, Audio, Peripherals, Network info.
Simply put—this is the best and it’s free!


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HOW TO FILL OUT YOUR SYSTEM SPECS


In the line at the top of www.SevenForums.com you will see UserCP.
That is an abbreviation for User Control Panel.
Click on UserCP.
In the left-hand column, under Your Profile you will see Edit System Spec.
Click on Edit System Spec
You can copy and paste from the output of Speccy, http://www.piriform.com/speccy to fill out much of the info. Be sure to use the Other Info section of your System Specs for such info as your optical drive, your wireless adapter, your speakers, etc.

Thanks for the responses.

Some very helpful information here.

I will be using the 32bit OS.

Thanks again,

Shantelle.

Hello again,

A quick update to let everyone know that you can use your own Windows 7 Home Premium DVD (Retail) & the Product Key from a newly purchased Notebook (Windows 7 Home Premium OEM pre-installed), reformat the hard drive to remove bloatware, activate & gain internet access. The only issue I ran into was when I tried to activate over the internet. A message popped up informing me my Activation Limit had been reached. I rang Microsoft & activated by phone & now my new Notebook is activated, updated & running like a dream.

Shantelle.