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So I've got this HP laptop and its a bit shit. I want to make it a bit less shit. It hasn't been used for a couple of years as it had an issue with the screen going fuzzy. Think I did a factory reset which sorted it for a while, but can;t really remeber....
I also think that I asked on here and was going to get a SSD to make it more useable. Could anyone let me know what SSD I would need and if anything else would make it a less shit laptop for my daughter to use for school work?
Spec list here: https://support.hp.com/gb-en/document/c06459402
I've got an even older laptop than that, so old it runs on DDR3 memory.
Any SSD will do, 250gb will be fine, 120gb if you're really saving pennies, smaller than that and you start to run into issues with windows updates. It's unlikely to be a m.2 drive (looks like a a circuit board the size of your thumb) rather than SATA (2.5" hard drive), but check on the crucial website even if you buy if from elsewhere. Don't worry about the speed of the drive, realistically almost anything will run faster than the processor can uncompress files.
And a fresh install of windows 10 (11 probably won't run) because it's easier than manually uninstalling all the old bloatware, just get a £5 license key off ebay if you don't already have a record of the original license key.
Crucial.com list compatible SSD and RAM upgrades for that model;
https://uk.crucial.com/compatible-upgrade-for/hp---compaq/hp-15-db0049na
As well as switching to an SSD, you can swap the 4GB RAM for an 8GB which should help a bit. It only has 1 memory slot though, so you can't just add another 4GB chip, you have to swap the existing one for an 8.
Crucial do scanner which will tell you what your upgrade options are.
https://uk.crucial.com/upgrades
You answered your own question. An SSD and a clean Windows install would make the biggest difference.
I wouldn't sweat too much over which SSD. A cursory glance on Scan would suggest a 250GB Samsung Evo is £40, cheaper and spendier options are available.
That said, if the screen is "fuzzy" then that needs addressing before spending actual money on it.
Oh, and, the consumer-grade HPs I've dealt with in recent years have generally been hateful things to work on. I'd suggest a degree of practical aptitude may be required.
Nice one cheers. Will get a licence key for new windows aswell.
Yeah I'm running the laptop now and will see if I sorted the fuzzy screen thing. I think I did but we'll see.....
just get a £5 license key off ebay if you don’t already have a record of the origainal licence key.
You do not need to do this.
An SSD and a clean Windows install would make the biggest difference.
To expand on Cougar's advice, get into the case and clean out all the dust bunnies.
You do not need to do this.
How do I install new windows then? I very much doubt I have the original key?
You don't need a key, Windows licensing doesn't work like that any more. When W10 first activates it registers your machine with Microsoft, that's then your licence. If you log in to your computer using an MS account then it'll allocate the digital licence to that as well.
If you're not already running W10 then it may be different but likely isn't.
Ah cool, its running windows 10 home at the moment.
If you’re not already running W10 then it may be different but likely isn’t.
Actually, I'll expand on that for future readers.
W10 is a free upgrade from W7 or W8.1. W8.1 uses the 'new' (ten years ago now) activation process like W10 so it still should just work as it's already licensed. Coming from W7 will require a key but that should be on the OEM sticker on your computer (assuming it's still readable) or will carry over if you do an in-place upgrade. You can literally type a W7 licence key into a virgin W10 install and it'll be happy.
If it's a brand new build from loose components or it's only ever known Linux then you'll need a key. If you're coming from Vista then you'll need a key. If you're coming from XP then you'll need a lump hammer.
Just to correct Cougar, you dont need a key to upgrade from Vista to Windows 10. I've a laptop I upgraded two years ago without a new key, it's fine, watermark on the screen and allegedly some functions restricted but I've not noticed.
Well, you don't need a key to run an illegitimate version perhaps. I've a lab full of the things of varying vintages.
It's not possible to upgrade directly from Vista to W10. You'd either have to go via something else or flatten it and reinstall.
I did flatten it using the official Microsoft tool, when it asked for a licence key I just skipped the step. I'm still waiting for Microsoft to shut it down but in the meantime I get Windows updates and everything works fine that I need, I have it running a legit copy of Office 365, all is good.
I’m no computer nerd but I recently inherited my sons old hp laptop after we got him a new one for uni. I don’t remember how old it is but I think around 2017. I put a Samsung evo ssd in and made sure it had 8gig of ram and it’s really quite ok. Plenty fast enough for me to do emails word docs browsing and the odd spreadsheet. It was easy to do. A clean install of w10 as well.
And today the battery died on it… so having already sunk £65 into it I’ve spent another £30 on a new battery.