need to install OS on old laptop

[10leej]

I have a compuadd 425TX laptop the FCC ID is GXLD4X2MA and I'm getting a message saying "Operating System Missing" and I need to figure out how to put an OS on it cause I use it for note taking in class.

I have heard that you can install windows using a floppy disk but I don't know how. I do have a linux disc and I would prefer if that was the OS.

[GroundZero3]

Does your computer have a cd rom? If so you will need to boot to a operating installation disc to install an os

[10leej]

it has a 3.5" floopy drive

[GroundZero3]

Well do you have windows on a floppy?

[10leej]

no but i have heard that you can set up windows to install through a floppy.

[GroundZero3]

Older windows versions could be installed on a floppy, however that hasn't been done in like 10 years? They were released in floppy formats

[Nude_Lewd_Man]

I know that Windows 2000 was released on CD, as was everything else since. At work we have a CD with 98 (and possibly 95 too), but these may have had an option of installing with (around 6) floppies...

I know that I'm bearing off topic, but:
You wouldn't have a hope of installing Fista with floppies though..!!
Just thought about how many you would need...... Around 4 GB on floppies....

[electric]

setup floppies just prepares the HD to install windows ,you
will still need a disc drive and a CD-ROM disc with windows on it

the highest you can install windows with floppies is Win 3.1
and thats with DOS install [6.0 ]

[10leej]

my laptop had windows 95 on it before it started telling me that the OS was missing. and I don't think the hard drive in it died because it is still shown in the bios.

[cksboy15]

It is possible for a hard drive to die and still be recognized in the bios. That Laptop is 14 years old so I wouldn't be surprised if that's whats happening. Either way I suggest you look into a new laptop.

The Asus eee comes with linux on it and its under $300. Unfortunately its a netbook and what the difference between a netbook and a laptop is I do not know. It does have a 20GB hard drive in it so it can probablt hold a lot more stuff on it.

Newegg.com - ASUS Eee PC 901 20G - Pearl White NetBook Intel Atom 8.9" Wide SVGA 1GB Memory 20GB SSD Integrated Graphics - Netbooks

[10leej]

Wow. A laptop for under $300! I should of found out about newegg earlier and save myself the trouble.

[Nude_Lewd_Man]

It is possible for a hard drive to die and still be recognized in the bios. That Laptop is 14 years old so I wouldn't be surprised if that's whats happening. Either way I suggest you look into a new laptop.

The Asus eee comes with linux on it and its under $300. Unfortunately its a netbook and what the difference between a netbook and a laptop is I do not know. It does have a 20GB hard drive in it so it can probablt hold a lot more stuff on it.

Newegg.com - ASUS Eee PC 901 20G - Pearl White NetBook Intel Atom 8.9" Wide SVGA 1GB Memory 20GB SSD Integrated Graphics - Netbooks

The basic difference between a netbook and a laptop is that a laptop is the briefcase type sized machines, and notebooks are a bit bigger than an A5 pad - so it is smaller.... Also, it has a smaller disk, so it is mainly used to browse the internet rather than be a "home computer"...

Definitions:

Laptop - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Netbook - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[cksboy15]

well i suppose that makes sense

[sr71000]

most netbooks also have a low power processor like the intel atom. They're designed to be lighter, with longer lasting batteries, at the expense of performance. I strongly recommend looking for one with a solid state drive if you're interested in real portability. While i won't get into the argument about which is faster or more reliable after many years of use, I will say that solid state drives are much better with shocks and bumps. because there are no moving parts, there's virtually no problem with bumps and shocks that could kill a typical hard drive. They however do offer much less storage and typically do raise the price a little. Also if you're using it for notes take a look at the keyboard. Some of them get so small (like the dell mini 9) that they keyboard isn't standard and as such can be tough to type on. My little dell mini 9 runs like a champ though. I do like it expect for the keyboard. My last thing is, if you go with a netbook, look at the new ubuntu 9.04 (Karmic). It's INCREDIBLY fast, especially to boot. Karmic ran faster on my laptop from a live flash drive than 8.10 ran actually installed on the hard drive. It booted faster too.

Each version of ubuntu also comes in various flavors, standard ubuntu, server edition, kubuntu, ubuntu netbook remix (UNR)... I strongly recommend checking out UNR specifically. It has a different interface than the standard ubuntu but on the smaller screens it's really handy. You can also switch back to the regular ubuntu desktop in the preferences section. The one caveat is that UNR is fairly new compared to the rest of the ubuntu flavors and as such isn't quite as polished. If you're not so adventurous, stick with the standard ubuntu install.

-Kevin