Help: run system from DVD rom - Hardware

Mac wrote:
> Hi all,
> My Dell Inspiron 3500's HDD went kaput. Seeing as how a new drive
> would cost more than the unit is worth, I'm going to get a new laptop.
> Now for my question; Is there any way I can boot windows from the DVD
> rom and run a single program? My daughter and I use this laptop for
> stargazing (with the 10" Newt we built) and I would like to run
> Windows and Starry Night. I wouldn't need to save any info but would
> Windows need something for a swap file? Because of the amount of dew
> a laptop has to deal with outdoors at 1:00 AM I would rather not use
> the new unit. Could be why the HDD went south in the first place,
> now that I think about it.
> Any thoughts or suggestions?
> Many thanks,
> -Mac

I really don't think there is a way to run anything meaningful from an
optical drive on that machine without a HD since it likely won't even
boot. If the computer works then a new small capacity HD might not cost
more than maybe $50, maybe less http://www.newegg.com or eBay. Since
the laptop is warm when running, I doubt that dew would affect the unit.
The HD just died after what, 5-6 years?
Q

Q,
We picked the Dell up at a yard sale about four three years ago for about
$200 so it's been a pretty good machine. Well, except for the hinges I had
to re-fabricate. The case is truly crap.
I haven't been able to find a hard drive for under $100 but I'll keep
looking.
Thanks

"Quaoar" <quaoar@tenthplanet.net> wrote in message
news:cpudnZpqR5oRd7_cRVn-vQ@comcast.com...
> Mac wrote:
> > Hi all,
> > My Dell Inspiron 3500's HDD went kaput. Seeing as how a new drive
> > would cost more than the unit is worth, I'm going to get a new laptop.
> > Now for my question; Is there any way I can boot windows from the DVD
> > rom and run a single program? My daughter and I use this laptop for
> > stargazing (with the 10" Newt we built) and I would like to run
> > Windows and Starry Night. I wouldn't need to save any info but would
> > Windows need something for a swap file? Because of the amount of dew
> > a laptop has to deal with outdoors at 1:00 AM I would rather not use
> > the new unit. Could be why the HDD went south in the first place,
> > now that I think about it.
> > Any thoughts or suggestions?
> > Many thanks,
> > -Mac
>
> I really don't think there is a way to run anything meaningful from an
> optical drive on that machine without a HD since it likely won't even
> boot. If the computer works then a new small capacity HD might not cost
> more than maybe $50, maybe less http://www.newegg.com or eBay. Since
> the laptop is warm when running, I doubt that dew would affect the unit.
> The HD just died after what, 5-6 years?
> Q
>
>

"Mac" wrote:<ucuVc.30318$nx2.11382@newsread2.news.atl.earthlink.net>...
> Q,
> > > Is there any way I can boot windows from the DVD
> > > rom and run a single program? My daughter and I use this laptop for
> > > stargazing (with the 10" Newt we built) and I would like to run
> > > Windows and Starry Night.

I'm not familiar with Starry Night (or your Dell 3500) - what are the
program requirements? Is it a program that can run under DOS? You
might be able to boot to DOS using a floppy and run Starry Night from
the DVD drive.

You might also want to check the BIOS and see if it supports booting
from the CD drive or from a PCMCIA device.

> > > I wouldn't need to save any info but would
> > > Windows need something for a swap file?

Windows only needs a swap file if the memory usage exceeds the
physical RAM installed. From the Dell website, it looks like your
3500 has a PII from 233~400MHz (depending on model) and can take up to
256mb RAM.

If you max out your RAM, and stop all the garbage that typically boots
with Windows (using MSconfig), and are running only Starry Night,
Windows may not need a swap file (depending on what Starry Night uses
- I'm guessing its requirements are relatively low). 128mb sticks of
PC66 can be had for about $20 plus shipping on eBay.