debcook

This morning I woke up with an attitude. Determined to do what I want to do today I decided to set up my new Dell Mini 9 netbook. Sure I could have left well enough alone – the 1GB memory and the 16GB SSD. Instead I am embarking on a massive upgrade session.

To review, I already ordered and received a 2GB memory module and a 64GB SSD. I researched and found information to guide me through this task. To anyone that is interested in upgrading their netbook just perform an Internet search for the needed modules. The Dell Mini 9 is not the only one that can be upgraded – but you must purchase the correct modules according to the netbook you have.

First I opened up the back panel of the netbook. Then I carefully removed the existing 1GB memory module and replaced it with the new 2GB memory module. Secondly I removed the original 16GB SSD drive and replaced it with the new 64GB SSD.

Feeling good by that point I replaced the back panel. The netbook does not have an internal CD/DVD drive so I pulled out my Sony external drive. I simply plugged it into a USB port and placed the Dell re-install disk in it.

I was a bit worried at this point – not knowing if the netbook would boot from the USB drive. Not a problem. As the netbook booted an option appeared on the screen to choose which method I wanted to use. I clicked the USB option and the installation began.

As normal about an hour later Windows XP was installed. Next came the driver installations and I can tell you now – you better plan on spending an extended time completing this task. When you think the driver has been installed just wait a little longer and the install wizard will appear. If you get in a hurry the drivers will not install correctly.

I am operating under the assumption that an SSD is much faster than a regular hard drive. Although there has not been enough time for me to form much of an opinion yet, but it does seem that installing files is taking an excruciating length of time. So far I have downloaded and installed McAfee Security Center, which took nearly 45 minutes and as I mentioned before the drivers are taking a long time as well.