Help me save time and frustration reinstalling my programs/settings after a fresh Windows install / upgrade / etc. [more inside]
posted by Alabaster on Nov 14, 2009 - 4 answers

How should I install Windows 7? [more inside]
posted by cheapskatebay on Oct 23, 2009 - 13 answers

How do I eject the Snow Leopard install DVD on a Mac Mini? [more inside]
posted by keijo on Oct 9, 2009 - 24 answers

Attention Linux gurus of MeFi: Attempting to set up an old Dell Latitude CS laptop as a Linux system (Xubuntu) for a coworker. Massive installation headaches ensue thanks to missing hardware. Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by caution live frogs on Sep 1, 2009 - 6 answers

Which one of the multitude of Linux distros should someone who's never used Linux before give a go? [more inside]
posted by n3rt on Aug 18, 2009 - 34 answers

How to simply create an install image for Win2K and place it on the network for another computer to install from? [more inside]
posted by mcarthey on Jul 13, 2009 - 8 answers

Do we tip the satellite installer? [more inside]
posted by hippybear on Jul 8, 2009 - 21 answers

I bought this vise on Amazon but it didn't come with any screws. Can you advise me on how to install it on my wooden workbench? [more inside]
posted by GregX3 on May 29, 2009 - 6 answers

Does software exist which will allow me to use my PC's DVD drive as an external USB drive for my netbook? [more inside]
posted by whir on May 20, 2009 - 8 answers

I want to reinstall xp but i dont have an xp disc. Can I just click on winnt32.exe? [more inside]
posted by jcwilliams on Apr 17, 2009 - 3 answers

Help me install Windows XP with a (non-bootable) installation CD! [more inside]
posted by sah on Apr 13, 2009 - 7 answers

Increasingly annoying problem installing Debian 5.0.0 'lenny' on an HP G60 with an Itanium (ia64) processor that is currently running Vista Home Premium. Specifically, the debian-installer consistently falls under the impression that I have an AMD 64-bit (amd64) processor. Why? [more inside]
posted by koeselitz on Mar 28, 2009 - 5 answers

My install of Windows XP got borked by a virus that necessitated the deletion of a number of .exe files needed by the operating system. I was kind of hoping to do this without re-formatting my C: drive, so I've been selecting the option to Repair the C:/Windows installation. It says that it successfully copies its setup files, and then restarts the computer. Upon restarting, it shows me a black screen with a mouse pointer but does not continue the install. [more inside]
posted by RobotHero on Mar 28, 2009 - 4 answers

Is it just me, or is installing installerless applications on Mac OS X fairly newbie unfriendly? [more inside]
posted by realpseudonym on Jan 29, 2009 - 24 answers

Can't install windows millennium edition on dell dimension 4700. A call for help. [more inside]
posted by metadave on Dec 11, 2008 - 18 answers

What's the best way to mass install over an Active Directory network? [more inside]
posted by Whoop on Dec 9, 2008 - 16 answers

MacFilter: How do I get Preview back? [more inside]
posted by jammy on Nov 24, 2008 - 3 answers

New computer, how do I keep the old programs? [more inside]
posted by Marky on Oct 22, 2008 - 8 answers

I've inherited an old clamshell iBook that freezes every time I try to boot from the install disc. How do I fix this? [more inside]
posted by gfrobe on Oct 9, 2008 - 8 answers

I'm getting a 500 internal server error when trying to install WordPress 2.6.2 on my iPower hosted website. [more inside]
posted by Pantengliopoli on Sep 30, 2008 - 6 answers

A plea for help in installing/running a seemingly simple open-source program on a Windows box. [more inside]
posted by Rhaomi on Sep 28, 2008 - 6 answers

Those stories about Windows PCs getting infected within minutes of connecting to the internet... does that still apply in Vista SP1? Soon I'll be setting up a new PC put together from parts and doing a fresh install of Vista Ultimate with SP1 (retail). Should I do anything special to maximize security?
posted by kidbritish on Sep 15, 2008 - 22 answers

I need to install a key-locking doorknob on my bedroom door. What sort of options do I have, and can I do this myself? [more inside]
posted by Verdandi on Aug 3, 2008 - 6 answers

I am having problems making a persistent installation of Ubuntu on a usb thumb drive. [more inside]
posted by tip120 on Jul 22, 2008 - 3 answers

Ubuntu 8.04 on a 40 gb portable HDD: LiveUSB w/persistence, or install straight to HDD? [more inside]
posted by penciltopper on Jun 27, 2008 - 2 answers

Much like my last question posted here four years ago about OS9, I am being flummoxed by hard water. Or more specifically, the level of difficulty wrt installing a water softener. How hard is it? [more inside]
posted by hijinx on Jun 12, 2008 - 5 answers

Is it worth changing to xUbuntu from Xandros? [more inside]
posted by trinarian on Jun 10, 2008 - 7 answers

How to install XP to a brand new Vista-riddled Dell? [more inside]
posted by jdruk on Mar 24, 2008 - 16 answers

What should a bone-novice know about installing extra memory in a laptop, a Toshiba Satellite A135-S2386? [more inside]
posted by Countess Elena on Mar 17, 2008 - 3 answers

I need to install a driver for my USB 2 PCI card but the driver requires Service Pack 1 and I do not have enough room on C to install it. What should I do? [more inside]
posted by waltzing astronomers on Feb 27, 2008 - 7 answers

Can I convert/install a VMWare Fusion image onto a Boot Camp partition? Or alternatively, can I copy/install a drive image onto a Boot Camp partition? [more inside]
posted by EatenByAGrue on Feb 27, 2008 - 3 answers

Can I run Microsoft Office (2003) off of an external hard drive? [more inside]
posted by waywardgirl on Feb 16, 2008 - 14 answers

I reinstalled Windows XP on a Dell machine running Ubuntu and it won't run above 640 by 480 resolution and 4 bits. It's an 80gb hard drive with 2gb of RAM, and there is nothing I can think of that would cripple the system like this. Any idea how to get the system running like it should be? [more inside]
posted by andoatnp on Feb 12, 2008 - 15 answers

Need advice on buying a tankless water heater - and how to find someone to install it! [more inside]
posted by caveat empress on Feb 6, 2008 - 15 answers

Is it possible to add a driver to my XP box which will allow me to use my mouse wheel as a third button but does not require admin priviledges to install? [more inside]
posted by russmail on Feb 5, 2008 - 8 answers

Can I install (and use) a TrueType font on my computer at work without having access to the C:/WINDOWS/Fonts folder? [more inside]
posted by foxinthesnow on Jan 24, 2008 - 9 answers

Does anyone have any experience with or tips on installing Perl without root privileges? [more inside]
posted by Ritchie on Jan 23, 2008 - 9 answers

I'd like to have a log file of everything an application does to my Windows (XP) system. All files added/removed, all changes to the registry, and everything else it does to the disk. Can this be done free or cheaply? [more inside]
posted by DarkForest on Jan 14, 2008 - 8 answers

I need to install new software on an older Macbook with a broken CD/DVD drive; can I do this by putting the CD or DVD into a windows pc and sharing it; or can I put a disc image on a USB drive? [more inside]
posted by troybob on Jan 3, 2008 - 7 answers

Is it possible to install Windows XP (or any other edition) from an external hard drive?
posted by Scottk on Nov 25, 2007 - 5 answers

I've got a fresh new install of Ubuntu 7.10 on my laptop (it's dual booting w/ xp) and I'd like the hive's recommendations on how to proceed from here. What should I configure first? What apps I should add next? [more inside]
posted by JaySunSee on Nov 10, 2007 - 4 answers

MS Excel Problem: CAN ANYONE PLEASE HELP? I am a very average PC user having unable to open spreadsheets. I borrowed a copy of MS Office Professional from a friend, but it did not install Excel properly. I no longer have access to those installation CDs. Whenever I try to open a spreadsheet, it prompts me for the CD's. So I bought Excel 97, installed it fine, but still when I try o open a spreadsheet it automatically tries to open it with the XP Professional version... How so I get around this to just use the Excel 97 version now on my computer??
posted by writingjulie on Oct 29, 2007 - 9 answers

I bought a new HP laptop. Vista is installed, I am going to install XP. If I want to reinstall Vista later on, after an SP or two, how can I reinstall w/ my legal copy's credentials? [more inside]
posted by jacobjacobs on Oct 16, 2007 - 12 answers

PC/installing OS/Disk drive question: Here's what I have: XP sp2 & my software on a 20Gb HDD. All my documents etc are on a separate drive. I want to move my OS and Program Files to a new 120Gb HDD. If I just copy the lot over and change the boot dir as it boots, will all my programs still be installed? Could I change the 120Gb HDD's name to C: while I'm partitioning it prior to copying the OS etc over if that would mean that the software wouldn't need reinstalling? I hope this is clear...
posted by criticalbill on Oct 9, 2007 - 5 answers

Why will neither my computer nor VMware boot the Windows XP SP2 installation CD I got from my university? [more inside]
posted by goingonit on Oct 4, 2007 - 9 answers

I need help installing my 5LNB dish for DirecTV service. [more inside]
posted by nickerbocker on Oct 3, 2007 - 9 answers

I'm getting a new PC (with XP) and will be installing a whole bunch of things right quick. Some of them will want me to reboot. Must I reboot with each install or can I do it once after all the installs? [more inside]
posted by mookieproof on Oct 3, 2007 - 9 answers

I need help installing a printer driver. It used to be installed, but it is not anymore. Machine has XP Pro installed. [more inside]
posted by KokuRyu on Sep 4, 2007 - 2 answers

Configured Readline with the prefix 'ur/local' on OSX. Then installed Ruby in /usr/local, but with Readline. Would like to put everything in the proper place without damaging anything, so what do I do now? [more inside]
posted by djgh on Jul 23, 2007 - 5 answers

How can I make my computer like-new without a CD drive? I sold my computer, which has Windows XP Pro on it. I want to make it look like a fresh install but don't have a CD drive. Besides, making a new user and deleting mine, what can I do to restore the start menus, default applications, installed programs, registry, etc.? I've modified quite a bit of everything.
posted by lpctstr; on Jul 19, 2007 - 11 answers