I have a friend who has a lap top computer and it has very little spaceon it, causing it crash and run like the dead. Can an extrnal hard drive be used on this type of computer and would it even help?
2006-10-05 01:56:55 · 12 answers · asked by Melanie 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Laptops & Notebooks
first, as external drive (USB connection) you can use any type of hard disk, either 3.5" desktop disks or 2.5" notebook disks, what you like more. the difference between them is, the 3.5" has an external power module and the 2.5" has none (it's powered from the USB port of the laptop).
the reason for the crashes are most likely that there is no more enough space on the disk for the virtual memory (this is the space a PC needs to swap running applications from the memory to the disk). you can improve the behavior of the PC by moving all data (movies, music files, documents etc.) to the external drive.
you can achieve a further improvement by increasing the memory of the PC. nowadays the memory size should be at least 512MB, better is 1024MB (1GB).
2006-10-05 02:22:17 · answer #1 · answered by frime 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dear,
External hardrive can be used in this type of computers. Get a USB external hard drive and connect it with your laptop via USB port and u can use it.
Attention : Never ever try to fill more than 60% of the total hard drive,then it will takes minutes to read the datas feeded on the hard drive causing programs to work slower taking yu to unwanted errors/bugs & data loss.Multiple hard drive with good capacity can cause system to work slower ever.
For these type of further issues dont forget to contact...
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2006-10-05 02:16:04 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, and Yes. Move most of the user files, saved programs files, over to some external device, network, storage, or burner of CD or DVDs...
But, first, try out a new OS that will speed up the laptop, more than 50X faster, but, runs in the CDrom, leaving the hard drive entirely alone for it's old legasy crapware, and storage... also, the LiveCDrom OS can read and write to external devices, drives, storage, like USB and Firewire drives... http://pclinuxos.com
First, boot it, then, copy all drive stuff, or even mirror it all, to some external drive, before you try to move files, or delete them... At lest, until you see what effect it all has on your system.
Walmart has the Seagate 160Gb external hard drive for $80... Have seen then cheaper at http://pricewatch.com and http://newegg.com
2006-10-05 02:04:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes.... it would provide additional storage space but without creating more space on the harddrive it will continue to run slow. A lot of space may be taken up by digital photos, documents, and music files. Transfering these files to and external drive would probably create enough space so that he/she can begin tweaking the computer to improver performance. Once space is created your friend should:
1. Run msconfig from the Start>run box and click on the start up tab and reduce the number of programs running at start up.
2. Run Disk Defragmenter in the systems tools found in the Programs>Accessories area.
3. Download and run the following programs, they clean up the system junk, tweak the registry, and are an easy way to optimize system performance.
Ccleaner http://ccleaner.com/
Clean cache http://buttuglysoftware.com/
2006-10-05 02:04:26 · answer #4 · answered by Fremen 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
definitely get an external hard drive, they are not that expensive these days, try for at least 160 GB. I have one from Western Digital and it's great! yeah, when there is not much space on the computer it will start to really slow down and might crash. 1) get rid of files you don't need anymore into the trash 2) transfer files over to external h.d. 3) trash the files from the original computer that you transferred (unless they are really important then make a 2nd backup onto CD-rom). 4) if you are using windows then there are programs on there to maintain your disk http://www.geekgirls.com/windows_defrag.htm
2006-10-05 02:01:39 · answer #5 · answered by ♪ ♫ ☮ NYbron ☮ ♪ ♫ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can get hard drives which connect via a USB, I think you have to have 2.5 drives for lap tops. As someone else mentioned a RAM upgrade may well help the running speed.
2006-10-05 02:00:46 · answer #6 · answered by huggz 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Get a USB external Drive.
2006-10-05 01:58:40 · answer #7 · answered by JeffE 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes....Use an USB External HDd.....Or Else...just Tell your Friend to Upgrade her Machine....It would Surely Help.
2006-10-05 02:01:06 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it wouldnt help on the performance, but the good thing about it is that in the event the computer crashes for good you probably will have your data saved, so yes its a good idea
2006-10-05 01:59:23 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Disk space wouldn't have a great effect on the running speed of the machine. you may want to look into a memory upgrade..
2006-10-05 01:58:42 · answer #10 · answered by tafflad25 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋