my recently aquired toshiba laptop with celeron 333. is very slow to repond (comparing it with my p266 desktop) on either battery or mains, it appears to have had a clean install of w98 (the toshiba version) but I have no restore CD for it. I have contacted the seller and asked, but not recieved a reply.

I have never used a laptop previously so am a novice, but I would have expected a response similar to the p266. the laptop is set at 'full power' mode.

Hi Vic,
You would think it would run the same.
How much mem?
Defrad hardrive?
Check for nasties? Fresh install this is probably doutful
The biggest difference of course could be in the rpm of the drive.
I have a 1 year old laptop and the drive spins at 4200
While my 2 year old desktop runs at 7200.
That will make a difference.
Just a thought.
Mark

Go into MSCONFIG and look at everything that is running.

Also, Right click on my computer and choose properties. Select the performance tab and look for the amount of RAM and the amount of system resources that are free right after boot up.

Post it back here

system properties

64 meg RAM
system resources 73% free
file system 32 bit
virtual memory 32 bit
disc compression : not installed
pc cards (PCMCIA) : 32 bit

your system is configured for optimum performance.
----------------------------------
was set to desktop & have changed it to mobile.
--------------------------------
no exclamations in D.M.
------------------------------
msconfig (general)
normal startup
-------
config.sys

REM (header)

2 ticks in boxes but no lines

REM(CD-ROM Drive) no ticks no boxes

REM (Miscellaneous) no ticks no boxes

REM (DIsplay) no ticks no boxes

ticked box. device = c:\windows\COMMAND\display,sys con=(ega,,1)

ticked box. Country=044.850.c:\windows\COMMAND\country.sys

ticked box. DEVICE=c:\windows\Panning.SYS

------------------
cant see anything abnormal particularly, maybe I should install hijack this ?
what is the difference with a 'toshiba' install ? is it just a minimal install with its own drivers, users manual etc. ?
could I save the manual, drivers etc. and reinstall a 98 minimum setup ?

how about setting up a spare hdd on the desktop then copying onto the laptop (this way I would have a backup) ?

Did you check the different drive rpm?
It does make a difference.
All the major companies add their own software. That's what I think they mean by a "Toshiba installation".
Some of it can be helpful, most is junk. Also remember a celron chip is not as good or as fast as your p2.
Mark

mark,

no I haven't found the hdd speeds yet, where can I check them other than physically removing them or using something like sandra (which I haven't installed yet) ?

Vic,
The best thing I can think of if you don't have any of the documentation for the system is to go to whatever site Toshiba has and track down the specifications thru their web site. Below is a link for Toshiba in England.
http://www.toshiba.co.uk/
Mark

You only have 64 MB RAM and only 73% is available at startup. You will have to reduce the number of programs that load on startup to free up some resources. You can also add some ram and between the two you will be able to free up some resources and speed up the startup. The reason it is taking so long to boot is it is loading too many programs at startup

I have shut down many of the progs and now have 84% resources. I have not yet found any ram (or details of) nor hdd speed.

I have had an email from the seller and he says he does not have a restore CD. but according to the pc it was aclean install from the toshiba discs.

the o/s is w98 fe and I have w98se (also me) which would be best to upgrade to?

can I connect to my desktop for copying the hdd ?

Vic,

What is the model name/number of the laptop?

Does it boot up faster now that you have disabled these programs?

steve.

a Toshiba satellite 4030 CDS

classic.

yes it does, it runs faster too.

Toshiba doesn't sell any replacement recovery disks. I like 98se if you are going to upgrade. You can get a full complement of drivers from Toshiba if you upgrade.

Crucial will sell you ram Here (http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.asp?Mfr%2BProductline=Toshiba%2BSatellit e&mfr=Toshiba&cat=RAM&model=Satellite+4030+CDS&submit=Go) . 160MBs would make it buzz right along. :)

I just went through a similar deal. I picked up a used Toshiba laptop on ebay with a 400 Mz Celeron. It had Win98 installed and 128 Mb of RAM. I wanted to use it for wireless access to the internet. I increased the RAM to the max that it will take, 192 Mb. Got Crucial ram on ebay for only $15.

I downloaded all the drivers from Toshiba.com and also upgraded the OS to W98 SE. Also loaded latest Direct X and all updates.

While it can't compete with my 2.6 Gz P4 with 1 gb of RAM and WinXP, it runs pretty well for a fairly small investment. I only paid $199. for the computer.

Jim

Vic:


Download all of the drivers so you have them. Get the RAM from crucial and your machine will sing...

I have just finishe d/l the drivers which I now have on my desktop, I intend to unzip them, then onto a floppy. w98se was not accepted by laptop got message "cannot upgrade o/s on this setup" (or similar) "you need to obtain an upgrade disc"

I noticed that there were 'utilities' amongs the 48 drivers that I d/l. do you think that these would be the utilities loaded on the system & refered to as standard equipment, ie: 'restore CD & utility CD'

I have a 2.5 to 3.5 hdd converter so that I could plug the laptop hdd into my desktop, as I was thinking of copying o/s over from desktop (hdd to hdd) or can I use cable to connect the 2 ?

other thing is that (if that is possible/feasable) it would save updating both o/s's as every now & then I could just copy the whole thing over, updates n all.

I wouldn't think you would have needed to download 48 drivers. I only had to downloaded the proper video, sound card, modem drivers, along with the Toshiba Utilities.

I downloaded them to my desktop, since I didn't have the laptop hooked up to the internet at the time, then burned them to a CD and installed them in the laptop.

Jim

Originally posted by Vic 970
I have a 2.5 to 3.5 hdd converter so that I could plug the laptop hdd into my desktop, as I was thinking of copying o/s over from desktop (hdd to hdd) or can I use cable to connect the 2 ?

You will have a host of problems if you try to copy an OS that's set up for the components in your desktop system to a laptop with totally different components.

jcook yes I realise that I don't need them all, those were for all o/s. I d/l them on my desktop so was easy enough to do, and when I burn them to CD I should have whatever I want.

bigblue thanks for answering the question, I suppose ideally I need to set up the laptop as I want it then make a restore CD(s) which I assume that I could copy over to the desktop them burn from there ?