Please Give Me Your Recommendations on a Computer For a College Student

[Grandma Carolyn]

Hello friends,

My grandaughter asked me this afternoon for my recommendations on a laptop computer. She asked which would I recommend for her? Of course, I told her a Dell because that is what I have and enjoy.

Being a college student and living in a dorm, I told her that I recommended a Dell with wireless capabilities and one with software Microsoft Word.

Please can you tell me what you would recommend to your granddaughter or daughter, or what you have if you are a college student?

I plan to pass your recommendations on to JJ!. Thanks
gc

[Dave McClung]

Please can you tell me what you would recommend to your granddaughter or daughter, or what you have if you are a college student?


Carolyn

Your advice, Dell, is a good one. One of the big issues for college students is "What happens when it breaks." Dell overs the best warranty service.

Just a couple of months after I bought my Dell notebook computer, a dead spot developed in the display. I don't know if it was a defect or if I damaged it. Anyway, Dell sent a repair person to ENC. They took only a couple of hours to change out the display.

I am impressed with the Dell customer service.

Dave

[Barbara Moulton]

Carolyn

Your advice, Dell, is a good one. One of the big issues for college students is "What happens when it breaks." Dell overs the best warranty service.

Just a couple of months after I bought my Dell notebook computer, a dead spot developed in the display. I don't know if it was a defect or if I damaged it. Anyway, Dell sent a repair person to ENC. They took only a couple of hours to change out the display.

I am impressed with the Dell customer service.

Dave

Dell is good for that reason, they will send a technician to your location if needed. For Lindsay, my oldest in University...who doesn't get home very often...this was a good benefit to have.

[Gary Swartzlander]

I agree, we are on our 7th or 8th Dell computer including 3 laptops, no real problems, and no problem with help when it's needed.

[BobHunt]

One that does your homework for you? Sorry GC, I couldnt resist that!

[Jonathan Long]

Dell....

and I'd go further and say the Latitude series. They're built well, offer a wide range of options and in my opinion the best for the money.

When it comes to laptops for students, I usually suggest that instead of spending the money for a bottom of the line unit they look into buying a refurbished unit that may be a year old... then they get a better computer than the basic model for around the same amount of money.

Jon

[Bob Woolley]

One thing that maybe should be pointed out...you should always ask for the Windows operating system discs with your computer. My son worked for tech support here (Windows XP support) and had a lot of calls from Dell owners who did not have the discs come with their computers. In fact, he told me, and I ordered them and they sent them free of charge. I don't know why they don't come with the machine?

This is my first Dell, always a Compaq owner...I never had any problems with either only Dell was locking up now and then but I believe it is the fault of Windows XP, not the computer. Recent updates from Microsoft has fixed this problem.

My son is sorry he didn't buy a laptop for his college year, bought a desktop instead.

[Gina Stevenson]

THANKS for the reminder, Bob; didn't get any Windows CD with this computer last fall, either. Can we maybe ask for the XP CD on-line, from Microsoft (since we know they can tell from our hook-up what we're working with), or do we have to go to the company from which the computer came?

One thing that maybe should be pointed out...you should always ask for the Windows operating system discs with your computer. My son worked for tech support here (Windows XP support) and had a lot of calls from Dell owners who did not have the discs come with their computers. In fact, he told me, and I ordered them and they sent them free of charge. I don't know why they don't come with the machine?

This is my first Dell, always a Compaq owner...I never had any problems with either only Dell was locking up now and then but I believe it is the fault of Windows XP, not the computer. Recent updates from Microsoft has fixed this problem.

My son is sorry he didn't buy a laptop for his college year, bought a desktop instead.

[Jonathan Long]

Many times new computers are sold without the software Cd's, The makers create a separate partition on the hard drive that holds disk images of the software. Somewhere in the documentation it will tell you how to create your own backup Cd's or how to use the partition to restore your computer.

It's a cost saving measure for the computer maker. You can request the actual Cd's, but they will charge you for them. Make sure that attached on your computer case is a sticker that has the "COA" (certificate of authenticity), otherwise you could be running an illegal copy.


Jon

[Bob Woolley]

Yes, Dell computers are set up with a separate partition on the hard drive but if the drive goes bad, you are in a very bad way. That was the main problem my son encountered as tech support of Winddows XP and Dell computers.

"Therefore it is best to get the actual Cd's from the company that sold you the computer." And Gina, be careful that they are not bootleg Cd's. Microsoft would charge you for sure. Dell didn't charge me because the computer is still under warranty.

[Gina Stevenson]

Yes, Dell computers are set up with a separate partition on the hard drive but if the drive goes bad, you are in a very bad way. That was the main problem my son encountered as tech support of Winddows XP and Dell computers.

"Therefore it is best to get the actual Cd's from the company that sold you the computer." And Gina, be careful that they are not bootleg Cd's. Microsoft would charge you for sure. Dell didn't charge me because the computer is still under warranty.
WELL, I would hope, then, that this place [Cisnet] would send me the CD's. I'd be bad off if it crashed, and I didn't have them! Since I just got it last fall, I'd better get writing to them!! Thanks for the tip .... ;)

[Adam Spriggs]

After I purchased my new Dell earlier this month, I noticed I didn't get any restore CDs. I called them and they sent them to me at no charge. I got all three CDs in about 3 days -- Windows XP SP2 OEM and the two CDs of the pre-installed software.

[Norayr Hajian]

I'm not sure about Dell.com, but Dell.ca (in Canada) offers you the operating system disks for $10. You also have the option of burning a copy of the system restore disks from your hard drive, so that if your hard drive crashes, you can reload the system. Of course, as long as you have your Windows XP certificate of authenticity (and the ten mile long code that goes with it) you can pretty much use anyone's Windows XP install disk to re-install the operating system. You won't be able to automatically "activate" the operating system, but you will be able to activate it when you call Microsoft and explain what's going on. At least, that's been my experience. My suggestion: pay the $10, or burn a copy of the system files as soon as you get the computer.

[Gina Stevenson]

My suggestion: pay the $10, or burn a copy of the system files as soon as you get the computer.

Could someone possibly tell which all directories to burn and how exactly (sometimes files taken off something, then tried to put back in same working order is a challenge), other than just copy/copy/copy/etc?? Thanks!

[Norayr Hajian]

Could someone possibly tell which all directories to burn and how exactly (sometimes files taken off something, then tried to put back in same working order is a challenge), other than just copy/copy/copy/etc?? Thanks!

Well, as far as I am told, there is "supposed" to be a quick and easy link to hit to burn what you need onto a CD Rom. Something like go to "Start > All Programs > ..... " The instructions that come with the computer should tell you exactly what to do. You shouldn't have to pick and choose, copy & paste anything. There should be one simple thing to click to get the ball rolling (that and put an empty CD disk in the drive):basic01

[Gina Stevenson]

'Guess I didn't ask clearly enough. As for burning files to a CD, I can do that. But it seems that when it comes to particular programs (such as the main system) that has many files within the system, there might have to be a certain way/sequence for them to work right together, if it becomes necessary to upload them again.

Long ago on an "antique" computer I did something like that to 3.5" floppies ... and then copying them back when there was a problem, well ... it didn't seem to work too well. [is this question a bit clearer now?] Thanks.

Well, as far as I am told, there is "supposed" to be a quick and easy link to hit to burn what you need onto a CD Rom. Something like go to "Start > All Programs > ..... " The instructions that come with the computer should tell you exactly what to do. You shouldn't have to pick and choose, copy & paste anything. There should be one simple thing to click to get the ball rolling (that and put an empty CD disk in the drive):basic01

[Norayr Hajian]

'Guess I didn't ask clearly enough. As for burning files to a CD, I can do that. But it seems that when it comes to particular programs (such as the main system) that has many files within the system, there might have to be a certain way/sequence for them to work right together, if it becomes necessary to upload them again.

If you burn the restore or system disk(s) onto a CD, you are burning the setup files to restore everything. You are not just copying individual files, it will copy the entire necessary package.

There is a distinction to be made. Some computers come with "restore" disks and some with "operating system" disks. The Operating System disks simply re-install the operating system. The restore disks basically put everything back the way it was when you bought the computer (including the operating system). My Toshiba laptop has restore disks, and when you do the restore, it wipes everything off the Hard Disk and puts it back like new. Very simple. When you burn a CD of the restore disks from your Dell computer, it should do the same.

[Gina Stevenson]

If you burn the restore or system disk(s) onto a CD, you are burning the setup files to restore everything. You are not just copying individual files, it will copy the entire necessary package.

OK, so you'd tell it "copy system" rather than individual files within, right? Also, you'd not necessarily want to wipe everything out and start with only system files; one would want to have other things restored, too, that were saved since one got it. That would mean "back-up" then, right?

Or, would one maybe do "back-up files" plus "system back-up" ... ?? Uh ... maybe I'd better find my book, and read up on it, huh? ;)

There is a distinction to be made. Some computers come with "restore" disks and some with "operating system" disks. The Operating System disks simply re-install the operating system. The restore disks basically put everything back the way it was when you bought the computer (including the operating system). My Toshiba laptop has restore disks, and when you do the restore, it wipes everything off the Hard Disk and puts it back like new. Very simple. When you burn a CD of the restore disks from your Dell computer, it should do the same.

Actually, I don't have a Dell, but was just asking in general ... just in case; figured they'd all do it similarly.

Thank you.

[Norayr Hajian]

OK, so you'd tell it "copy system" rather than individual files within, right? Also, you'd not necessarily want to wipe everything out and start with only system files; one would want to have other things restored, too, that were saved since one got it. That would mean "back-up" then, right?

Or, would one maybe do "back-up files" plus "system back-up" ... ?? Uh ... maybe I'd better find my book, and read up on it, huh? ;)

You got it right. When you "restore" a computer, you are going to lose EVERYTHING on the computer that was put on after you originally got the computer. All the programs that were installed will need to be reinstalled (you can't just back up the installed programs and then copy them back again). More importantly, you will need to back up all your data files (documents, emails, addresses, photos, etc, etc, etc) so you can copy them back after a computer is "restored".

If you are using Windows XP, there is a very handy feature called "File and Setting Transfer Wizard" (under: Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools). Tell the computer you are working on the "old" computer and have it back up your settings, your desktop files, all the files in "My documents" (including music, pictures, etc). It will put it all into one BIG file or folder (wherever you tell it). When it's done, copy the created folder onto a CD. After restoring a computer (and losing all your files in the process), you go back to the transfer wizard and tell it this is your new computer and point it to where the folder is containing all your files. Works great - most of the time. However, there was a couple of times that the created folder was not recognized. This has happened to a few other people (probably many) - so I would not use this method alone. I would use it as one method, but I would also back up all my data manually onto a CD.

Best of all - use a good anti-virus (I've mentioned AVG before - as have several others) and a good filter (I've recently found K9 by Blue Coat - works great and it's free). Links to both can be found on our church web site's "LINKS" page: www.whitehorsenazarene.org :fav18

[Gina Stevenson]

OK, I see now, I think. You don't just do this "backup/restore" deal en toto, but do the saving individual files as before, besides. Thanks much for more explanation!! ;)