Laptop Buyer

What is the best host OS for VMWare workstation on a laptop?

I have 3 computers at my disposal for setting up a lab to learn Server 2008, Active Directory, and Microsoft SCCM.

The specs on the laptops are as follows:

Laptop number 1
-Core 2 Duo 2.00 Ghz
-2.5 GB RAM
-80 GB SATA hard drive

Laptop number 2
-Core 2 Duo 1.33 Ghz
-1.5 GB RAM
-80 GB SATA hard drive

and last but not least, an aging desktop with the following:
-Pentium 4 2.5 Ghz
-1 GB RAM
-GeForce 5600 AGP
-4 IDE drives in non-RAID configuration.

I have no money to purchase new equipment, I need to make use of what I have, and I need to optimize it in order to squeeze every last drop of performance I can get.

I plan to use the more powerful laptop as the workhorse for the lab, and the less powerful laptop to handle as many virtual machines as possible, and the desktop as a stand-alone client.

What would be the best operating system as a host and what method of VMWare virtualization should I use on each machine?

Most RAM is best.... You will need to assign some of the system RAM to the workspace and if you have more, you can assign more. Everyone is happy....

Laptop Disposal

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AmazonBasics Wireless Mouse with Nano Receiver (Black) $11.99 Wireless Mouse with Nano receiver (Black)...

IOGEAR 2-Port USB KVM Switch with Cables and Remote GCS22U (Black) $15.50 IOGear GCS22U 2-Port USB KVM Switch, 2-Port USB Cable KVM allows users to share a VGA monitor, a USB mouse, and a USB keyboard between two computers. Users can switch between computers using a manual switch located on a wired remote controller that can be placed on your desk for ease of reach. It offers an out-of-box solution with no additional cables needed. It supports multiple operating systems...

Dell UltraSharp U3011 30 Monitor $1,026.78 The Dell U3011 30" Class Widescreen LCD HD Monitor an ideal choice for graphics professionals since it is designed as a 30-inch Class Widescreen LCD HD Monitor. Every picture produced by the monitor will have 2048 x 1280 Resolution, 16:10 Aspect Ratio, and 100,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio for your enjoyment....

Fixed Asset Accounting: Second Edition $27.33 Fixed Asset Accounting addresses the GAAP and IFRS accounting for all key fixed asset topics, including capital budgeting, interest capitalization, asset retirement obligations, depreciation, impairment, and disposal. The book delves into many other areas as well, including the record keeping, controls, policies and procedures, measurements, and auditing procedures related to fixed assets. There a...

CompTIA A+ Complete Review Guide: Exam 220-701 / Exam 220-702 $4.21 Organized by exam objectives, this is a focused, concise review guide that works hand-in-hand with any learning tool, including the CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide, 2nd Edition.The CompTIA A+ certification is the industry standard in terms of measuring a technician's hardware and software knowledge. As the most popular entry-level certification, it is particularly popular among individuals switchi...

Green Gadgets For Dummies $4.47 Save some green by going green with these environmentally friendly gadgets!With concern for the future of our environment growing stronger and more serious every day, there has never been a better time to take a new approach to some of the most popular gizmos and gadgets on the market and learn how you can convernt to electronics that have minimal environmental impact.Green gadgets encompass every...

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Warning Signs of Impending Hard Drive Failure

Hard drive failure can be a fact of life. Unfortunately, almost all hard drives will ultimately fail at some point. Sometimes they fail without any warning, you simply turn on your computer and it will not boot or you get the dreaded "Blue Screen of Death" that signals a catastrophic problem with your hard drive.

But often, your computer will give you subtle and not so subtle signs that your hard drive is nearly the end of the line. Some of the mechanical components in your hard drive can fail gradually, and during this process there will be indications that all is not well with your computer.  If you can recognize these signs early on, you may be able to back up your data and transfer it to a new drive before your system fails completely.

Here are some of the most common signs that you're about to have a serious data loss problem.

 

Unusual Clicking and Grinding Noises.

This is a common sign of a mechanical failure, usually involving the drive's read/write heads. If you're familiar with the inner workings of your computer, you could turn off the computer, remove the hard drive, then turn the computer back on and listen to find out if it's making the same sounds. If you're still getting the same sounds with your hard drive disengaged, then the hard drive is not the problem. You'll need a computer technician to diagnose your computer and find the real problem.

Unfortunately, the most likely scenario is that the sound is coming from your hard drive, in which case you should immediately back up your data and replace the drive. This is a problem that is only going to quickly get worse with time and there is no practical way to repair the drive once it's in this condition.

 

Files Suddenly Go Missing From Your Drive.

If you start mysteriously losing files, or your files show a bunch of "gibberish" interspersed with readable text, that is usually a sign that there are gradually failing areas of the drive that require a number of attempts to properly access the data. This can be caused by virus problems such as malware.

 

Your Computer Slows to a Snail's Pace.

Another common sign of a failing drive is that the computer starts to run at a very slow pace. Accessing your files takes forever. As when you start losing files, this is a sign that your computer requires many attempts before it can successfully retrieve any data. This is a clear sign that drive failure is imminent.

 

Your Computer Frequently "Locks Up" During the Booting Process.

All computers exhibit this problem once in a while, and if it's a rare occurrence, there's no need for concern. The real problem is when this begins to happen on an increasingly frequent basis. If you begin to notice that your computer often locks up during booting, this is usually a sign that complete failure is not far away.

 

BIOS doesn't recognize your hard drive when booting.  

This is a common sign that your hard drive has completely failed, but it may also simply be a problem with the system configuration. When you try to boot the computer, you'll get an error message saying that BIOS (basic input/output system) cannot find or read from your drive. You'll likely need a computer technician to fully diagnose this problem, but most often it's the result of a failed hard drive.

 

The Blue Screen of Death.

This rather dramatic term is also known as a stop error screen, a bug check screen, or simply a bluescreen. It causes your computer to display a screen with a dark blue background with a series of error messages written on the screen. It usually signals a critical, unrecoverable error with your computer's operating system. When this happens, your computer will hang and can only be recovered by a manual restart.

 

If you see the signs of hard drive failure, you should immediately back up your files (saving your most important files first) if possible, and then shut down your computer. The more you try to use your computer in this state, the more likely you are to overwrite your data - which will cause it to be permanently lost.

If you are unable to retrieve important data, all is not lost. In many cases, a data recovery specialist can recover lost data from your failed hard drive. This is often able to be done fairly quickly but data recovery is not inexpensive, therefore, making sure your data is properly backed up is your the safest and most economical bet!

A reputable data recovery specialist will have access to the necessary tools and environment to properly access your drive and save your data. It's not something the average computer user could or should do at home. Not all data can be retrieved, but many data recovery companies have a substantial recovery rate and can recover your information in more than 80% of cases.

About the Author

PC Build Series - Video 6 - Installing LG BluRay Drive & Samsung SATA Hard Drives

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LaCie d2 USB 3.0 Thunderbolt Series 3TB External Hard Drive (9000353) $299.99 Don't let your project get derailed by external drive/computer incompatibility. With both USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt interfaces, the LaCie d2 is a perfect match for your Mac and PC. And because USB 3.0 is backwards compatible, you can connect it to any standard computer on the planet. Its multiple interfaces make it the must-have sidekick to a new Mac or Ultrabook....

LaCie Rugged USB 3.0 Thunderbolt Series 1TB External Hard Drive (9000294) $229.99 With both USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt interfaces, the LaCie Rugged is a perfect match for your Mac and PC. And because USB 3.0 is backwards compatible, you can connect it to any standard computer on the planet. The LaCie Rugged is also fully bus-powered through the included USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt cables. Its portability and interfaces make it the must-have sidekick to a new Mac or Ultrabook....

LaCie d2 USB 3.0 Thunderbolt Series 4TB External Hard Drive (9000303) $399.99 Don't let your project get derailed by external drive/computer incompatibility. With both USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt interfaces, the LaCie d2 is a perfect match for your Mac and PC. And because USB 3.0 is backwards compatible, you can connect it to any standard computer on the planet. Its multiple interfaces make it the must-have sidekick to a new Mac or Ultrabook....

Dg-16d2s Phillips Lite-on Drive for Xbox 360 $27.53 - Model: DG-16D2S - Phillips Lite-on replacement drive for your XBOX 360 system - MS part No: X800474-008 - PLDS Part No: 3B41216031 - HWver: A0A1 - FWver: 74850C...

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Final Fantasy XI with HDD $39.99 The internal 40 GB Hard Disk Drive takes the PlayStation 2 to the next evolutionary phase! Preloaded with FFXI, this combo will utilize the Network Adapter (sold separately) to bring you the first massively multiplayer online role-playing game in the Final Fantasy series. The hard drive ushers in the ability for downloadable content, saving cds to create a personal jukebox, faster loading times an...

Inferno (Robert Langdon) $13.24 In his international blockbusters The Da Vinci Code, Angels & Demons, and The Lost Symbol, Dan Brown masterfully fused history, art, codes, and symbols. In this riveting new thriller, Brown returns to his element and has crafted his highest-stakes novel to date.In the heart of Italy, Harvard professor of symbology, Robert Langdon, is drawn into a harrowing world centered on one of history’s most...

Toshiba Mini NB255-N245 Netbook (Intel Atom N455, 8.3 hours Battery Life)

The Toshiba Mini NB255-N245 Netbook is a compact and light netbook, perfect for travelling and transporting to school, work or on vacation. This Mini weighs less than three pounds, too, so that makes it an easy unit to store properly and effectively without troubling the hardware inside.

The Toshiba Mini NB255-N245 Netbook starts with a 10.1-inch LED backlit widescreen display ideal for browsing the internet and checking out the screen's 1024x600 pixel resolution. The integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3150 video processor comes with up to 250GB of dynamically-allocated shared graphics memory.

The 1.66 GHz Intel Atom N455 processor offers plenty of juice under the hood and that makes this netbook a perfect machine for getting the job done in tight quarters. It's a great unit for taking notes in class or firing up some work at a business meeting. The Toshiba Mini NB255-N245 Netbook boasts a responsiveness and speed that few other comparably-priced netbooks can manage.

This netbook packs in Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking capabilities to its arsenal of convenience, too. With up to five times the performance and twice the wireless range using 802.11n-compatible routers as with 802.11g networks, the Toshiba Mini NB255-N245 Netbook is backward compatible with 802.11b/g networks and offers more bang for your buck than most comparable units.

Also included with the Toshiba Mini NB255-N245 Netbook is a boatload of Toshiba software. The Toshiba Media Controller allows for easy sharing of all of your media files, while Toshiba Bulletin Board provides the ultimate in organizational apps under one roof. Also included is Toshiba ReelTime, a convenient application that uses thumbnails to help ease the complicated search for files.

The six cell battery offers up to 8.3 hours of battery life, making your Toshiba Mini NB255-N245 Netbook a brilliant choice for heading out on the road. USB Sleep and Charge lets you keep your laptop charged up without using additional juice, meaning that you can keep this netbook full of juice without even needing it to be on. What's more, you can charge up your smart phone and MP3 player with the convenient port.

Priced under $300 at most major retailers, the Toshiba Mini NB255-N245 Netbook is a great buy for students and businesspeople alike.

About the Author

For more reviews and product info, visit Toshiba Mini NB255-N245 . For reviews and info on other laptop models, visit http://laptops.treeso.com/reviews.html

Shenzhen Hongda Technology manufactures $260 14" Intel Atom laptop

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Acer AOD270-1375 10.1 Netbook (Intel Atom Processor N2600, 1GB DDR3 SDRAM, 320GB hard drive, Windows 7, Espresso Black) $243.50 Acer Aspire One AOD270-1375 comes with these high level Specs. Intel Atom Dual-Core Processor N2600, Windows 7 Starter, 10.1" WSVGA LED-backlit Display, Mobile Intel NM10 Express Chipset, Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3600, 1024MB DDR3 Memory, 320GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM), Multi-in-1 Digital Media Card Reader, 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi CERTIFIED, Built-In 0.3MP Webcam, 3 - USB 2.0 Ports, 1 - HDMI Po...

HP Mini 1104 10.1 LED-Backlit Netbook (Intel Atom N2600 1.60 GHz Processor, 2GB DDR3 RAM, 320GB HDD, Bluetooth 3.0, Windows 7 Professional) $462.37 HP Smartbuy Mini 1104,Atom N2600 CPU, 10.1 WSVGA AG LED SVA, UMA, Webcam, 2GB DDR3 RAM, 320GB HDD, 802.11a/b/g/n, BT, BLK, Win 7 PRO 32 OF10 STR, 1yr Warranty U.S. - English localization...

Asus Eee PC 1005HA-PU1X-BU 10.1-Inch Intel Atom Netbook Computer (Royal Blue) $389.99 Asus Eee PC 1005HA-PU1X-BU 10.1 inch Intel Atom N280/1 GB/160 GB/XPH Netbook Computer (Royal Blue)...

Red Cube Case for Asus Eee PC 1005PEB Netbook, Intel Atom N450, 1GB, 250GB, 10.1 LED Tablet $9.99 (Brief description: High quality / lightweight/. Fits netbook with screen sizes up to 10.5 ") Product Description: Luxuriate your netbook with our stunning new hard EVA case. An instant classic that you can protect your netbook and look good doing it with this case. Get it today, this must have item provides easy mobility, consistent protection, and dazzling style. This case looks damn good, and e...

Kroo Black Neoprene Sleeve for Asus Eee PC 1005HA-MU17-WT 10.1-Inch Intel Atom Netbook Computer $4.99 (Brief description: High quality / lightweight. Fits netbook with screen sizes up to 10.5 ") Product Description: Luxuriate your netbook with our stunning new netbook sleeve. An instant classic that you can protect your netbook and look good doing it with this sleeve. Get it today, this must have item provides easy mobility, consistent protection, and dazzling style. This sleeve looks damn good, a...

Vangoddy Pink on Black Designer SOHO Smart Cover with Stand and Unique Rear Hand Strap for All Models of the Dell Latitude 10 Tablet (ST, Intel Atom Z670, Bluetooth, Windows) $8.15 Professional, Sleek and Light weight Vangoddy Brand SOHO Collection 10 Inch Tablet Smart Cover. Vangoddys Line of Exclusive and Sophisticated SOHO Covers are sure to add unique style to your Tablet. Portfolio is designed with unique detachable cover and stand, rear hand strap for ease of use, and magnetic closure!!! (Tablet Device NOT Included)...

Intel Intel 5300 Ultimate N Wi-Fi Link Wireless Network Adapter - Mini PCI Express - 450Mbps - IEEE 802.11n (draft), IEEE 802.11a/b/g $26.99 The Intel 5300 Ultimate N Wi-Fi Link Wireless Network Adapter is family of IEEE 802.11a/b/g/Draft-N1 wireless network adapter that operate in both the 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz spectra. This adapter, available in both PCIe Mini Card and Half Mini Card form factor deliver up to 450 Mbps of bandwidth, in addition to providing a host of features that enhance today mobile lifestyle....

I have a hp pavillionzv600 laptop. i want to reset it to default settings, and system restore isnt good enough

How do i go by doing that?

use the system disk that came with the laptop if you lost them contact the manufacturer as see if you can geta copy (sometimes its free, sometimes they will charge a small fee @ $25)

dougc

Fix for HP Recovery Manager

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Gateway NE56R34u 15.6-Inch Laptop (Black) $309.95 Gateway NE56R34u Notebook comes with these specs: Intel Pentium Processor B960, Windows 8, 15.6" HD Widescreen Ultrabright LED Back-Lit Display, Mobile Intel HM70 Express Chipset, 4096MB DDR3 Memory, Intel HD Graphics with 128MB of dedicated system memory, 500GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive, 8X DVD-SuperMulti Double-Layer Drive, 1.3MP HD Webcam (1280 x 1024), Multi-in-1 Digital Media Card Reader, 802....

Windows 7 Professional SP1 64bit (OEM) System Builder DVD 1 Pack $129.98 With Windows 7 Professional, fewer walls stand between you and your success. You can run many Windows XP productivity programs in Windows XP Mode and recover data easily with automatic backups to your home or business network. You can also connect to company networks effortlessly and more securely with Domain Join. With all the exciting entertainment features of Windows Home Premium, it's a great ...

Recovery Boot Disc for Windows 7 System 64 BIT CD (Disk Comparable with Starter, Home Premium, Professional and Ultimate) $9.99 Recovery Disc for Windows 7 System Like most PC users, you probably got Windows 7 with a new PC or laptop. And if you're like 99% of the population, you get your new machines from one of the major manufacturers. Dell, Acer, Asus, Sony, HP, Toshiba, Lenovo who all have one thing in common: they don't give you a real Windows 7 installation disc with your purchase. This disk is the only way of recov...

Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64bit (OEM) System Builder DVD 1 Pack $89.94 Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit (1-Pack)...

Windows Vista System Recovery disk Live Boot CD 32 bit DVD. (disc is comparable with Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, and Ultimate) $5.00 For sale official Windows Vista System Recovery Discs. If you're like most PC users, you probably got Windows Vista with a new PC or laptop. And if you're like 99% of the population, you get your new machines from one of the major manufacturers. Dell, Acer, Asus, Sony, HP, Toshiba, Lenovo, who all have one thing in common: they don't give you a real Windows Vista installation disc with your purcha...

iKross Bluetooth Audio Music Streaming Receiver With 3.5mm Stereo Output - Connect Your PC, iPhone, iPod, iPad, Tablets Or MP3 Player To Speakers and Entertainment Systems, Home Or Car $19.88 *With the iKross Bluetooth Stereo Music Audio Receiver, you can wirelessly cvonnect your iPhone, iPod or Bluetooth enabled cellphone to your home stereo or stand-alone speakers. Play music for up to 12 hours with fully charged built-in rechargeable battery.*Support Bluetooth enabled cellphone, iPhone or iPod with A2DP profile. *Connect to audio device such as home stereo or stand-alone speakers wi...

When will my Alienware M15x laptop get to my house?

I ordered an Alienware laptop on the 19th of March and all i charnged was the ram from 2 to 4g, hard drive to a bigger one, also the name plate thing, and thats it! the estimated shipping date is April 6th and delivery date is the 12th of April. So my question is will it really take that long? i live in Grand Rapids Michigan!

Yes, it will take that long.

Alienware M15x Gaming Laptop Review

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GENUINE NEW Alienware M15x 120W 120 watt Laptop Notebook AC Adapter Power Supply Charger Adaptor MOBL-MD2ACACCESADAPT (Pre-Dell Older Verision of Alienware Models) $49.95 NEW ALIENWARE M15X AC ADAPTER MOBL-MD2ACACCESADAPT Original Alienware M15X Laptop AC Adapter * PART#: MOBL-MD2ACACCESADAPT * DPE P/N: 0302A19120 * COLOR: BLACK Product Description: AC adapter can be used as a replacement or as a secondary AC adapter for your m15x....

Dell Slim 150-Watt AC Adapter Charger with Power Cord for Dell Alienware M15x / Alienware M17x / Alienware M14x $20.88 DELL Genuine Slim 150-Watt AC Adapter Charger with Power Cord for Dell Alienware M15x / Alienware M17x / Alienware M14x...

Alienware M15X 15.6-Inch Cosmic Black Laptop (Windows 7 Home Premium) $1,869.99 The Area-51 m15x contains the most powerful mobile graphics card ever in a 15.4-inch laptop. Alienware has always set the standard for graphics capabilities and, with an NVIDIA GeForce 9800M GT with 512MB of dedicated graphics memory, the tradition continues. Alienware stands alone as the first and only manufacturer to bring this advanced GPU to market in a 15.4-inch form factor....

Alienware m15x-472CSB 15-Inch Gaming Laptop (Cosmic Black) $1,799.99 Take control of the game once and for all with the Alienware M15x, the universe's most powerful 15" gmainig laptop. Grab the reins of this 15" powerhouse with blazing-fast graphics, the latest in processor technology and Hi-def capabilities all in a devilishly sleek design. Sit back and enjoy the ride - gaming will never be the same....

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17.3-Inch Alienware Orion Checkpoint Friendly Messenger Bag $99.99 Carrying your gear in the Alienware Orion messenger bag is as comfortable as it is convenient due to the extra-thick, padded shoulder strap. Alien accents throughout the bag, including the bold, black chrome Alien Head icon on the front, set this bag apart from the crowd. Accommodates large laptops up to 17.3....

Dell 15.6 inch Notebook Laptop Alienware M15X-472CSB Black Neoprene and Black Zipper with large compartment pocket for accessories $13.99 Dell 15.6 Inch Notebook/Laptop fitted sleeve case with a soft, smooth exterior and additional interior padding, preventing unnecessary sliding while providing extra protection. The additional exterior pocket gives extra cable, stationary, and accessories storage space. The material is thick enough to protect the notebook from unwanted wear and tear, but still light enough so the notebook is just a...

USB 2.0 PC Dual Double Shock Controller(Black & Red) for Dell laptop USB 2.0 PC Dual Double Shock Controller(Black & Red) for Dell laptop . Made with ergonomic design, this USB gamepad provides you with the realistic feeling when you play the games. The familiar design and layout of the action buttons and triggers will have you dominating in no time.FEATURE:Ergonomically shaped for comfort and control during play. Comfortable design with familiar button layout, thi...