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Installing WoW on a Netbook

Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 12:57 pm
by RandiFeymar
Long story short, I got a netbook yesterday. I ended up getting http://www.gateway.com/systems/product/529668365.php. It's not a gaming machine. It does however, run the programs I need for college that aren't compatible with my beloved macbook (this mac is also my primary WoW machine).

So today, I am attempting to install WoW on the netbook regardless of getting warnings of not enough RAM. However, I keep running into a problem where windows tells me the WoW Installer has encountered a problem and needs to shut down. Last attempt I got up to about 65% before it shut down. I'm currently at 85% and really hoping it'll stick this time... Mostly just so I can use the WoW Model Viewer to make pretty pictures since that doesn't work on a mac either.

Anyway, does anyone have any experience or wisdom regarding WoW and netbooks they could share with me?

Re: Installing WoW on a Netbook

Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 12:59 pm
by Saturo
I did try it out about a year ago. The lag when I entered SW was horrible enough to sometimes crash my computer. Just be careful around any high-population area and you should be fine tough.

Re: Installing WoW on a Netbook

Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 1:08 pm
by Golden
I've been playing WoW on a Netbook for a bit over a year now. If you have access to another computer, I'd suggest you do something like this:
- download and install WoW on the other computer
- copy the whole WoW folder onto a portable hard drive or a big memory stick
- plug the thing onto your netbook and start the game

I've noticed that WoW doesn't really need to be installed, as long as all the files and folders are there. So I have WoW on a portable hard drive and thus can plug it in an play on any computer I might come across (at least in theory - I would NEVER play on a strange computer unless it belongs to a friend). A plus side here also is that you will always have your own UI and addons with you. :D I for one hate playing on a friend's comp as it messes up my UI.

On another note, there's a topic on the official forums that helps you make WoW a bit lighter to use on a weak computer. *searchsearch...* I can't seem to find the topic right now, but will make sure to post it here, should I find it again.

Re: Installing WoW on a Netbook

Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 4:16 pm
by Dragonpuff
I have played WoW on my 2GB netbook. I had WoW downloaded onto an external memory drive, and just plugged it in. It was in BC, so it was Shattrath I was lagging around in, but otherwise, it worked surprisingly well. Any portable drive should work, as long as it has enough memory to hold the whole WoW file.

Re: Installing WoW on a Netbook

Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 9:54 pm
by RandiFeymar
Saving the game to an external source sounds like a good idea. I don't have such a source to save it to right now, but if/once I do, moving it over wouldn't be a bad idea.

Now, I did get the game installed, and I think I shall be just using it for model viewer and the like. I was just kicking around in Sholazaar Basin looking for Loque'nahak and I only had about 9 fps. I think Dalaran would indeed crash the poor thing. But, that is fine since I do have access to the game on another machine.

Thanks for the advice and responses. =)