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Windows XP: Reasons behind reformatting your hard drive and reinstalling Windows OS?
- 8/21/09 2:39 PM
It's the easy option
by Jelly Baby - 8/15/09 4:14 AM In reply to: Reasons behind reformatting your hard drive and reinstalling Windows OS? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
If you hand your PC or laptop in to a repair shop or send it back to the manufacturer, they will almost invariably automatically format and restore your PC to "when it was new" regardless of whether it needs it or not. If you phone a "helpline" the first step they will want to walk you through is to "find the restore disks which came with your machine..."
There goes years of work...... (you did have it all backed up didn't you?)
There are more than a few (lazy or just stupid) individual PC users who think this is the "right thing to do"
It should be the very last resort. Most software problems can be resolved - although it takes time and a lot of patience. Once in a while a virus, or, more likely, a botched attempt at removing a virus will cripple the OS so a fresh install may be the only option but before you do so - look at the work which lies ahead. All your hardware drivers need to be re-installed (do you still have the disks?) then updated (how many hours of download - if the drivers are still available) Service packs and updates need to be applied (more hours of download and repeated re-boots) Software has to be re-installed (again - where are the disks? Where are the software keys? "Dear Microsoft / Adobe / Cubase / Anyone else who activates on-line, could you PLEASE let me use my software again - I've had to re-install windows...."
Now, where's your address book? Your bookmarks? Your documents? Your network settings? Your mapped drives????
And so it goes on......
There are occasions when there is no alternative - a hard drive failure, user error in trying to "tweak" something, or malicious software or malware getting it's hooks in and doing some real damage (probably rarer than we are lead to believe)
But as a routine maintenance task - absolutely not!
restore discs
by Aulfin - 8/22/09 1:50 AM In reply to: It's the easy option by Jelly Babycompanies like HP don't send restore discs with a new product. I know this because I had to buy a 3 disc set for $20 from them just to be able to do an efficent restore.
Some reasons for re-fomatting and re-loading Windows OS
by PeterEEvans - 8/15/09 4:30 AM In reply to: Reasons behind reformatting your hard drive and reinstalling Windows OS? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Over time, deleted programmes leave a lot of clutter in the Windows Registry - this slows any computer down; in the worst cases to a crawl. This occures when updates replace an original programme as not all updates simply modify an existing. A programme deletion almost always does not delete everything, Nero software is an excellent example.
Some registry cleaners delete unused Windows OS files which can lead to failures if these files are required in the furture, so "only use authorised or recommended software" is excellent advice.
Marketing outlets also leave unseen entries on a computer and these are frequently highly sophisticated methods to extract details of your marketing interests.
Many types of "corruption" to Windows files cannot be safely removed without damaging the integrity of Windows files. Obviously, if you do not visit the internet (rarely achieved these days) and especially if you do not have an efficient firewall, virus/trojan remover, etc. you will accumulate rubbish proportionate to your use of the internet. Hackers and the like "ping" the net (rather like a submarine sonar) to find a user on line and will then send their spyware to that user who will remain totally unaware of it without suitable protection.
A re-format can prove essential to wipe boot corruptions for instance.
It is not a fault of Windows or any other OS - rather, it is the price we all pay for having a "free" internet.
Why reformat & reload your hard drive occasionally
by nastynick46 - 8/15/09 4:36 AM In reply to: Reasons behind reformatting your hard drive and reinstalling Windows OS? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
You'd be amazed how often this comes up. I use 2 computers. My business laptop is inviolate. Nothing gets loaded on it that hasn't been checked out on my test system. My test machine is currently running Windows 7 Ultimate RC to confirm it's suitability for use by the company I work for. Software is installed and uninstalled on a regular, often daily, basis. As a result, conflicts arise between programs from time to time. Reloading the system and reinstalling everything "clean" resolves whether the problem is that program or a conflict between 2 programs. At home, I tend to download games & utilities just to try them out. My home system is reloaded about every 3-4 months just to keep it running smoothly. I have recommended a similar approach to a number of my somewhat tech savy friends. The 1st step is make sure you have EVERYTHING backed up. You don't need to back up the programs just your data. Don't forget to include your email files if you use Outlook or Outlook Express. If you don't feel comfortable doing it, find a local shop or friend who can sit down with you to get it done.
Bad advice
by rbsjrx - 8/15/09 7:41 AM In reply to: Why reformat & reload your hard drive occasionally by nastynick46"You don't need to back up the programs just your data."
So, you should ignore any and all updates to your applications? If you've been running any app more than 6 months, there's a good chance it will no longer be the same as it was on your installation media.
Why format and reinstall Windows OS?
by ammumma - 8/15/09 4:38 AM In reply to: Reasons behind reformatting your hard drive and reinstalling Windows OS? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Windows works ok thru the entries that each program installed on your computer, adds to its logbook commonly called the "Windows Registry". When viruses modify the entries, it causes crashes to the program. sometimes due to faulty shutdown of the PC or viruses, the entries in the registry related to the files of Windows operating system also get erased or modified causing the "Blue Screen". When you format the drive or partition where Windows is installed, the entire registry as well as programs including viruses are deleted. Fresh installation of Windows will have a perfect Registry and so will work ok.
Viruses
by rbsjrx - 8/15/09 7:55 AM In reply to: Why format and reinstall Windows OS? by ammumma"When viruses modify the entries, it causes crashes to the program."
Cynical answer #1: Any user who doesn't use antivirus and firewall software deserves whatever happens to them. Even the free AV and firewall packages are better than nothing.
Wishful answer #2. The only sure way to avoid registry-related problems is to use an operating system that doesn't use a registry, such as Linux or Mac OS X.
Ghost
by bobc47 - 8/15/09 4:38 AM In reply to: Reasons behind reformatting your hard drive and reinstalling Windows OS? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
The truth is that windows can not be properly "cleaned". Once something gets into the registry there is no way to remove all of it. The only way to get rid of failed program installs or deleted programs completely is to reinstall everything.
I know quite a few people who routinely reinstall windows every year. This is not a simple task but there are ways to make it easier. I use Ghost to mirror the hard drive after installing windows and updating everything. That way I can get back to a complete updated windows install in ten minutes instead of half a day, and that is just for windows. You can also Ghost the system again before doing a major program install, or MS update, to give yourself a current known good fallback in case something goes badly wrong.
I've tried other disk mirroring software but I still come back to Ghost because it just works. External hard drives are cheap. Get one and do a complete Ghost and then make a daily backup of your "My Documents" folder. For the daily backup I just use a batch file that I can click on to do it without having to think about it.
Nonsense!
by rbsjrx - 8/15/09 7:49 AM In reply to: Ghost by bobc47"The truth is that windows can not be properly 'cleaned'. Once something gets into the registry there is no way to remove all of it."
Sorry, but this is just plain wrong. A <u>good</u> registry cleaner can do the job easily. Unfortunately, the majority of registry cleaners are <u>not</u> good. Many are scareware which can do as much harm as good. A few are outright Trojans masquerading as useful utilities. Stick with IObit, Ccleaner, or Registry Mechanic and they'll all do the job quite competently. However, the first line of defense against a slowing machine is disk defragmentation, not registry cleaning.
Clean Installs
by jim-slote - 8/15/09 5:42 AM In reply to: Reasons behind reformatting your hard drive and reinstalling Windows OS? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
As a Service tech for almost 20 years I DO recommend formatting and reinstalling your OS occasionally , here's why :Even tho in many cases you can resolve many issues and get your computer running great again, A re installation makes things perfect , you get rid of all old files, directories, hardware/software conflicts.
A format also detects errors on your hard Drive and ram
it allows you to install the newest drivers without have to remove the old ones,or simply leaving them there to possibly cause problems down the road.In the case of adware,spyware,malware,virus's you completely eliminate all the rogue files and start fresh
I can go on and on about the benefits of a fresh install over scanning and repairing, But I think the biggest thing is the cost and downtime that is saved
And lastly if you have a good service guy he can set your computer back up for you exactly the way you want, without loosing and important files or programs
thanks for listening
Formatting and reinstalling Windows
by tosim00 - 8/15/09 5:43 AM In reply to: Reasons behind reformatting your hard drive and reinstalling Windows OS? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
With each use, Windows gets a little more cluttered with "junk". Formatting wipes your hard drive clean, and a fresh reinstall of the operating system gives you what amounts to a new, clean computer. I, as a "heavy user", format and reinstall about every three months. As I have my drives partitioned, and my "C" drive is used only for the main operating system, this works out fairly easy, and not very time consuming.
What cinbstitutes a "heavy user"?
by rbsjrx - 8/15/09 8:10 AM In reply to: Formatting and reinstalling Windows by tosim00"I, as a "heavy user", format and reinstall about every three months."
My primary Windows computer runs 24/7/365, has ~250 installed applications (many with custom drivers)), is typically running ~100 processes, yet I only have to reinstall Windows every 18-24 months - most often in response to a total system failure following a service pack release. How much more do I need to do in order to qualify as a "heavy user"?
If all else fails
by creed104 - 8/15/09 5:54 AM In reply to: Reasons behind reformatting your hard drive and reinstalling Windows OS? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Most people have messed up their computers at one time or another . Either they deleted an important system file or downloaded something with a Trojan/Virus in it . Reformatting the hard drive and reinstalling the operating system was the only thing they could do to get things back to normal . The only problem with that , is that all is lost , pictures , movies , songs , passwords , etc . These items can be backed-up first of course , but it involves a lot of work to get things the way you like it again . I would only do this if absolutely necessary . I believe if it ain't broke , don't fix it , because usually when you do , it breaks . Is your system in need of maintenance ? Just use Ccleaner and get rid of junk you never use and also defragment your hard drive once in a while ( The one included in Xp is about the best I have ever used ). That's about all you need to do and everything else is just a waste of time . Chuck Reed
Reformatting and reinstalling
by c0de9 - 8/15/09 6:15 AM In reply to: Reasons behind reformatting your hard drive and reinstalling Windows OS? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hi Stephanie,
I am no computer genius like many of the folks on this forum, but I do like to reformat computers every couple of years.
Over time, regardless of the operating system, updates and downloads are going to slow down your system. Take a look at how long your system takes to fully start up. If it is taking more than a minute or two, I like to reformat. A clean reformat will get rid of startup programs you may not need any more, and your boot time will improve.
Another good reason for reformatting is system speed. Much like the startup scenario, as you download and install programs, your system will begin slowing down as different programs vie for system attention. Adobe wants to update, as does your printer. Windows Media Player looks for album information, and so does iTunes.
Many programs run in the background, and each one that does is using your resources.
What I do normally is look at what programs I use regularly, and write them down to download after the reformat. If I do not use it, or have gotten rid of the hardware, I do not reinstall it.
Lastly, be sure to back up files you may want to keep, i.e. documents, pictures, or music.
I hope this helps you understand reformatting better.
Good Luck
Eric
I reformat only when necessary
by russtuttle - 8/15/09 6:35 AM In reply to: Reasons behind reformatting your hard drive and reinstalling Windows OS? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have reformatted a laptop before and found it is time consuming and frustrating job reinstalling the OS and drivers. Do to corrupt registrations and other problems I had to reformat my desk top a few years ago. I will never buy another computer that does not have the Norton Restore utility again. A complete reformat can take hours on the larger disk drives while the "Restore to Factory Settings" utility offered on most Dell computers is a dream come true. It takes 10 minutes to wipe the disk clean and actually restores your computer to the way it was when you took it out of the box from the manufacturer. Of course you will have to reinstall your applications and your "My Documents" folder should have been backed up for easy drag and drop. But hey, you have a new computer in half the time.
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