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Macrium Reflect or something else?

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    Macrium Reflect or something else?

    I'm helping a friend (the pub landlord) to get their laptop running a bit faster, and having done a lot of tidying up I'm going to wipe the drive and restore it.
    In the past I've used Macrium Reflect.


    Is there any other software out there you'd recommend for the job.


    HP/Compaq laptop, 2GB RAM, Win 7, 250GB HDD with 80GB used on the main partition and two other restore partitions each < 20GB.
    …Maybe we ain’t that young anymore

    #2
    I'd recommend a RAM upgrade and an SSD or even better a newer laptop.

    Refurb Dell i5 with 8 gb RAM.

    Dell Latitude E6520, Windows 7 Pro 64-bit, Intel Core i5-2430M 2.4GHz, 8GB RAM, 320GB SATA, DVDRW, 15.6" 1366x768, Europc 90 Days RTB Warranty 115162

    £264 inc VAT

    Comment


      #3
      Originally posted by DimPrawn View Post
      I'd recommend a RAM upgrade and an SSD or even better a newer laptop.

      Refurb Dell i5 with 8 gb RAM.

      Dell Latitude E6520, Windows 7 Pro 64-bit, Intel Core i5-2430M 2.4GHz, 8GB RAM, 320GB SATA, DVDRW, 15.6" 1366x768, Europc 90 Days RTB Warranty 115162

      £264 inc VAT


      I would recommend new gear too, but it's really only used for email and the odd letter.
      Most of the performance issues were down to the son ("He knows a lot about computers") installing two antivirus/firewall/security systems. He also installed teamviewer and had it running in the background so he could connect to the laptop when he was away from home. And he told them not to switch the laptop off, because it runs better if it's left on all the time.
      Son is away on holiday, they asked me to take a look at why it was so slow.


      Previous landlord, I helped them out (but that was about removing the pron their son downloaded) and they paid my tab 3 pints per hour.
      …Maybe we ain’t that young anymore

      Comment


        #4
        Originally posted by WTFH View Post
        I'm helping a friend (the pub landlord) to get their laptop running a bit faster, and having done a lot of tidying up I'm going to wipe the drive and restore it.
        In the past I've used Macrium Reflect.


        Is there any other software out there you'd recommend for the job.


        HP/Compaq laptop, 2GB RAM, Win 7, 250GB HDD with 80GB used on the main partition and two other restore partitions each < 20GB.
        If you do an image and restore, you will be restoring the same, like for like?

        Better rebuild from fresh on SSD after making up RAM to 4GB and use Ninite to install the common applications in one hit.
        I was an IPSE Consultative Council Member, until the BoD abolished it. I am not an IPSE Member, since they have no longer have any relevance to me, as an IT Contractor. Read my lips...I recommend QDOS for ALL your Insurance requirements (Contact me for a referral code).

        Comment


          #5
          2 GB is really a bit to small for any version of Windows since XP. Windows 7 will run in there provided not too much background stuff going on. You don't need a new laptop, just upgrade the mem to 3 or 4 GB. Or be prepared to regularly "clean up" the laptop.

          Or you could put Linux on there. Not trying to start an argument but if letters and surfing are all it is used for, it could work. There will be strangeness for the landlord, but on the upside no viruses/popups and little or no need for virus scanners and security systems. It might also keep the son off, or have the opposite effect.

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by unixman View Post
            2 GB is really a bit to small for any version of Windows since XP. Windows 7 will run in there provided not too much background stuff going on. You don't need a new laptop, just upgrade the mem to 3 or 4 GB. Or be prepared to regularly "clean up" the laptop.

            Or you could put Linux on there. Not trying to start an argument but if letters and surfing are all it is used for, it could work. There will be strangeness for the landlord, but on the upside no viruses/popups and little or no need for virus scanners and security systems. It might also keep the son off, or have the opposite effect.
            Zorin. Zorin OS - Home

            I put it on my son's old laptop.

            Comment


              #7
              A others already stated - you can't put a lipstick on a pig...

              If it's only for e-mail, what's so slow? If it's for browsing - newsflash now days a lot of websites are memory heavy some tabs on my chrome are 200MB+ so the argument 2GB is enough for web and e-mail is not necessary valid.

              Most software that claims to "speed up" a computer only makes it worse. Clean Win7 install is good enough and for Antivirus use Microsoft security essentials or w/e it's called today - it ain't perfect but doesn't rape the PCs resources either. 2GB of RAM is like £10 new and probably a fiver on e-bay, 32 GB SSD is £30, installing them 4-6 pints, and after that the laptop will fly

              Comment


                #8
                Going back to the orginal question, if you want to tart up the old pig.

                Crap Cleaner for a scan, Avast for Anti Virus and replace IE with Chrome to stop more juck being installed again
                Originally posted by Stevie Wonder Boy
                I can't see any way to do it can you please advise?

                I want my account deleted and all of my information removed, I want to invoke my right to be forgotten.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by SimonMac View Post
                  Going back to the orginal question, if you want to tart up the old pig.

                  Crap Cleaner for a scan, Avast for Anti Virus and replace IE with Chrome to stop more juck being installed again


                  I've run CCleaner, they are already using Chrome and they have bought Kaspersky.


                  Might go and have a chat with them tonight about spending cash on some more RAM.




                  Thanks for all the suggestions!
                  …Maybe we ain’t that young anymore

                  Comment


                    #10
                    As a result of last night...
                    1. Got paid for a couple of hours work.
                    2. They are happy to spend money on RAM - I'll be ordering that today
                    3. Got told off by the wife for coming in 2 hours later than I'd told her (possibly related to point 1 )
                    …Maybe we ain’t that young anymore

                    Comment

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