Windows XP: Reasons behind reformatting your hard drive and reinstalling Windows OS?
- 8/21/09 2:39 PM
Once a year!
by JimFoley - 8/23/09 12:16 PM In reply to: Reasons behind reformatting your hard drive and reinstalling Windows OS? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I reload everything once a year between Chirstmas and New Years when everything. I use RAID 1 and have a separate drive for additional back up. I reload all documents including backed-up pst files for Outlook. I reaet all settings etc from scratch so I don't move "polluted" files. And why do I bother to do this - because of all the junk my computer collects throughout the year that slows it down. Inclluding Microsoft updates that are re-updated because they didn't quite work out and messed up something else. Just run "msconfig" and see all the junk that is collected and is trying to start.
It's like changing your underware - you really should change it once a year whether you need to or not!!!!!!!!!!!!
FORMATING
by bill3333 - 8/23/09 1:46 PM In reply to: Reasons behind reformatting your hard drive and reinstalling Windows OS? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
SIMPLE, PRACTICAL, EXPLANATION OF FORMATTING.
Hi Stephanie, I expect your confused with all the excellent, expert advice, and just need a practical answer.
Formatting means to arrange the structure of the file system on the hard drive HD, in your case, NTFS file system for XP, so that you can install XP on the HD, as XP runs on NTFS, rather like setting out a chess board, so you can play a game. However, when you format, everything is erased, providing you do a deep format, not a smart one, just like when you start a new game of chess, the old game is erased. Hence, you have a completely blank useless computer, until you install XP.
I only format HD's when I am building a new computer, rebuilding a secondhand one, or when XP has become corrupted beyond reasonable repair. DO NOT CONSIDER THIS, UNLESS YOU ARE EXPERT ENOUGH TO BE CAPABLE OF A COMPLETE OPERATING SYSTEM AND SOFTWARE INSTALLATION. A reinstalled XP does run really well, but servicing XP regularly, will have the same effect, and is not so drastic.
Computer experts will baffle you with all sorts of science, but for the average person its not necessary, and if your happy with your computer, that's all that matters, so leave it alone.
You can keep your computer serviced, and running well for years by maintaining it with :
EXTRACTS FROM XP MAGIC SECRETS
PROGRAMS FREE
1 & 2 The special Magic Secret here, is that Mozilla have put an incredible, amazing, amount of development into these two programs, and all the addons, to make them the best, and very secure again'st viruses etc, so by using them, most of your security problems are prevented before you go on line.
1 Emails = Thunderbird email client. Addons needed: Azerty, Lightning.
2 Surf the internet = Firefox Web browser. Addons needed: Downthemall, Tab Popup, Aeon, Fast Video Download, Adblock Plus, Autopager, Colorful Tabs, Cutemenus2, Firefox Chrome, Autofill Forms. If you like the Chrome web browser, then just install the Firefox Chrome addon, and you can still have all the benefits of Firefox.
3 SECURITY USE :
Comodo Internet Security = firewall, and antivirus.
Comodo BOCean = antimalware and antispyware.
Comodo come with my highest recommendation, as I have evaluated their free software over 1 year, again'st a number of other top of the line payware counterparts, and they are the best in every respect. Because Comodo systems run in real time, I have not scanned my computer for 6 months, and I can tell it has no viruses or malware in it, by the way it runs. DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, ADD ANY OTHERS TO THESE TWO, OR YOU WILL HAVE SOFTWARE CONFLICT.
SERVICING OR TUNING UP XP :
To get XP to run fast and smooth XP depends on a number of factors:
a REG CLEANER = I use 4 = CCleaner ( do not use advanced functions ) + IOBit ASC3 ( Smart Ram may slow your computer ) + Comodo System Cleaner + PAYWARE JV16 Power Tools for adv users only.They all clean little bits that the others have missed.
b DEFRAGMENTER = IOBit Smart Defrag, do not use Auto Defrag.
c REG DEFRAGMENTER = Free registry defragmenter
d SERVICES TWEAK = Google this, it really increases speed & smoothness, but you'll need an expert to do this for you. I have made up a manual that takes 20 mins to institute, and I use it on all my on my builds with 100% success.
e TUNE XP = system optimizer, simple manual availiable, otherwise experts only.
f UNINSTALLER = Revo Uninstaller
g SYSTEM RESTORE = this is in XP > System Tools. Here you can make a backup of XP ( Restore Point ), so if you have problems,you can go back to a good configoration. Do this before installing a program that you are not familiar with, or any changes that you are unsure of.
h DISC CLEANUP = this is in XP > System tools > select the drive you want to cleanup > more options > remove all but the most recent restore point > LC cleanup > LC yes > LC OK > LC yes, now your done. This gets rid of all the unneeded, old, restore points.
i ERASE UNUSED DISC SPACE = This is always the last thing you do after servicing, to get rid of all the old rubbish deleted files that are left in XP. Use Eraser, it makes a big difference, because it removes the cluster tips, so XP can move around nicely, in its partition. Remember to use Disc Cleanup first, to remove all but the last restore point and make sure you have a good one. Non gamers use a 15gb C partition.
j DUST & FLUFF = the biggest cause of computers burning out, especially as the home user usually has their setup in the bedroom. It blocks up the cooling fins, causing overheating, also it covers the components, then picks up moisture from the air, and shorts things out. I blow my computer out with an air line every 3 months, using a plastic knitting needle to stop the fans spinning.
Finally, for practicality, stick with XP, for the next 2 years, get your own XP setup CD, and note down your license key.
Regards Bill from New Zealand.
What Windows XP and earlier Windows versions fail at
by cytherian - 9/28/09 9:57 AM In reply to: FORMATING by bill3333Back in the early 1980's, Microsoft created Windows in an attempt to jump from CUI to GUI (going beyond basic MS-DOS). It was a very lame attempt in many respects. Microsoft had a lot to learn along the way. As such, Microsoft had to let 3rd party vendors get access to the operating system code and provide updates so their software would run. And naturally, this created all kinds of havoc when software vendors had competing updates to the same operating system files. It posed a rather difficult and complex problem for Microsoft.
So, even up to the XP version of Windows, Microsoft would allow software vendors to tuck in 3rd party program files into the Windows system folders. With VISTA, this has been changed. The system files and folders are very well protected. And what does this have to do with the topic?
Well, as you install many programs over the months and years of using Windows XP and earlier, all kinds of files get thrown into the mix of the Windows installation. Even the introduction of a registry service that tries keeping track of everything installed hasn't worked 100%. As such, you may undoubtedly end up with pieces of 3rd party software that can conflict or interfere with the natural operations of the operating system. Uninstalling software does not always guarantee that these files are disposed of.
So, the act of doing a complete reinstallation of the Windows operating system ensures that any extraneous files are cleared out. If you can't be bothered with performing a clean and reformat of your registry, the reinstallation takes care of this as well.
The other opportunity presented at a completely new installation of Windows is to do a low level reformatting of the hard drive. At the atomic level, there can be surface degradations that can interfere with proper running of the software from the hard drive. The reformat will create a fresh clean slate for your operating system.
For people who like to install a lot of experimental and/or freeware on their computer, I suggest doing this in a Virtual PC environment first. You can play around with the software and then eventually if you decide you'd like to keep it and use it on a long term basis, install it in your main operating system. This helps keep out the "garbage" from piling up in your system. With Windows Vista and 7, you might not have to go to that measure, as the operating system takes better care of itself. But if you've got ample disk space, I'd go the Virtual PC route just to be on the safe side.
hard drive fails occasionally?
by rgfitz - 8/23/09 2:08 PM In reply to: Reasons behind reformatting your hard drive and reinstalling Windows OS? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I suppose I would reformat my hard drive and
reinstall Windows occasionally if the hard drive failed occasionally.
Since that has never happened since I started with an IBM XT computer, I have never tried it.
So much depends on how you use your computer
by gbswales1 - 8/24/09 1:19 AM In reply to: Reasons behind reformatting your hard drive and reinstalling Windows OS? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
If, like me, you are constantly donwloading new programmes, trials, freebies (I would estimate that I install anything up to 10 new/trial programmes a week) and your internet habits extend beyond simple websurfing into newsgroups and file sharing apps - then you are luck if you dont need to do this at least once every year to eighteen months. At the other end of the scale I know people who have had computers for years and do little more than word processing, looking up the odd bit of information and never install anything beyond what the computer came with who have never done this. It is horses for courses.
I would echo what has been said about keeping an image - I can restore my computer in about 45 minutes - however then there is a lot of upddates to catch up on which may seriously add to that time - its important to remember that you should take a new image after you complete the process each time otherwise the image gets so out of date that its almost as quick to go back to the install disk. The image route, as long as you do one early enough, also gets around the problem of not having the windows install disks.
As everyone here has said - if your computer is running fine dont even think about it but if you are constantly having problems which you think may be due to spyware, viruses, malware or just a generally cluttering up of registry - then this may be the route to take.
I have just spent over a week tracking down a network problem if I add together all the time I spent forum posting, running different diagnostic programmes etc etc - it might well have been quicker to restore my last image.
reformat
by xpdeg - 8/24/09 11:10 AM In reply to: Reasons behind reformatting your hard drive and reinstalling Windows OS? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Well, well, well, I've seen some postings here from some guys insulting each other. Please, if you have something that you believe is good, post it. And, please do you believe that you have to be nasty to say what you need to say? And, even if you have been offended by some posts, would it be too much to ask to ignore them?
Can we forget each others? And, if you are the offending party, can you be polite enough to say that you are sorry? I mean, I know we're all here looking for answers to questions and to give advise to those who need it. Can we stay focused on that? or is it too much to ask?
I understand we all have some frustration, but taking my frustration over to people I don't even know is not a healthy way to get over them. The world need people who are tolerant toward those who make small mistakes, and those who are compassionate to lead by example. If we don't show mercy, we can't certainly change the world. We can't go punishing everyone in the world, and that's one of the reasons there's no peace in the world today.
I understand this has gone strayed from the main discussion here, but hopefully will help us get along better.
Thank you, and Im sorry if this offends some.
Reformat
by burnshoward - 8/25/09 5:31 PM In reply to: reformat by xpdegHave used Norton GoBack (part of Norton Systemworks) several times and it saved my bacon.
One question I have not seen addressed is the possibility of searching the disk for duplicate files. I have done this, but did not know what could be deleted safely so left it alone. Sort of goes back to the old adage "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"
reason in reformating my harddrive
by julienevillas - 9/6/09 6:03 PM In reply to: Reasons behind reformatting your hard drive and reinstalling Windows OS? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
my computer doesn,t work correctly,sometimes stop and hard to connect to internet, my key bord types number contenuesly at the address bar..
KeyBoard & PC Trouble...
by Good-PC.Guy! - 9/6/09 8:49 PM In reply to: reason in reformating my harddrive by julienevillasI ONCE HAD (about) THE SAME PROBLEM, SOON AFTER AN UNEXPECTED SHUT-DOWN WHILE SURFING THE WWW.NET ...
SO OF COURSE I HAD THEN ASSUMED THAT MY PC HAD PICKED-UP SOME SORT OF MALWARE.
BUT AS IT TURNED-OUT, ONE OF MY KEYBOARD'S KEYS HAD JUST GOTTEN STUCK ON.
SO, HAVE YOU TRIED USING ANOTHER KEYBOARD ?
Posssible Problem !!! (keyboard)
by CBAUMANN - 9/8/09 2:32 AM In reply to: KeyBoard & PC Trouble... by Good-PC.Guy!WELL- SUGGEST-- TURNING OVER KEYBOARD- GIVE IT A GOOD SPANKING !!
(NOT WIFE) SOMETIMES PARTICLES GET STUCK UNDER KEYS & HOLD DOWN..
I HAVE EVEN SPILLED A CUP OF COFFEE ON THEM-- JUST PUT UNDER FAUCET
WASH OFF GOOD--LET DRY GOOD OR USE HAIR DRYER (SURE DRY) PLUG IN
WORKS FINE-- OF COURSE IF IT'S SODA CRACKERS-- THE SPANKING
WILL DO THE JOB...
CMANN
All I can say, is not on my watch!...
by JCitizen - 9/17/09 1:18 AM In reply to: Reasons behind reformatting your hard drive and reinstalling Windows OS? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
most of my clients that need a reinstall, only do so because of drive failure of exploding malware.
I have saved many an installation by techniques that don't even entail a repair overlay. XP or Vista do not usually need file repairs. There is always another suspect incident that is the actual cause of such errors or performance issues.
The reasons for performance and error issues are so many and varied it is hard to condense it in one post. I definitely stick with the KISS principal. Usually the least expensive - easiest solution is the solvent for the problem.
Most of my clients performance issues derive from maintenance issues, so I will not cover failure here.
1. First and formost reason, is malware. Getting the right simple malware solution will speed things up tremendously. Web-sites are now putting self-spawning flash cookies on your drive, and most utilities don't remove them. CCleaner takes care of about 75% of performance issues for my folks. But you have to try as many of it's features as it takes to solve the problem. Only pick the registry option last. Not that it isn't safe with Piriform's utility, just don't usually need it.
2. I use CHKDSK with both boxes checked of a full repair. Many IT wonks don't like this; I say why would I want to put up with bad drive sectors? If they are there, I want' them repaired or moved so the bad spots will be marked and never used again! Then I do a thourough defrag, several times. I don't listen to window's suggestions, they aren't thorough enough. Some folks like third party defrag utilities better.
3. Surprisingly few folks do Microsoft updates, but I don't blame them with XP. Everysince SP3, it has taken a geek or IT savey user to get it right. On Vista no problem.(so far)
4. After that it takes a blended defense to protect the PC from clogging the CPU and network card from every kind of malware, nasty cookie, to you name it. Stupid tool bars are the biggest pain "bar" none!!! Avoid at all costs! Use stand alone AV and anti-malware solutions, these are the best. Especially the free ones that offer upgrades for a feature. Suite software is the pitts, and you can always do better finding each feature separately on CNET user reviews. Look for most dowloads last week and order them by best user reviews. This way you can pick the best utilities out there!!
This is a raplidly changing world of AV/AS defense, and you can forget brand loyalty, it can totally change in six months, it is so dynamic.
CCleaner rules!!
I do not work for any man or company! I just hate malware to pieces. I also like happy PC 'puter users!! 
Sorry, but
by msgale - 9/18/09 10:13 PM In reply to: All I can say, is not on my watch!... by JCitizenI have read through most of this thread, and all I have found is lots and lots misinformation. Examples of which are:
1. NTFS is backward compatible with FAT. WinTEL PCs that can access NTFS files, can access FAT file, but the file structure is completely different. However at the user level they are indistinguishable.
2. Current versions contain "spaghetti code", (I thought it was macaroni code). The source code of the current version of Windows is not available. Only those who have a need to know can see it, and then they are subject to non-disclosure agreements.
3. NTFS is not a modern file system. It is more modern than the Berkley file system used on some versions UNIX and also the file used on System V release 4 UNIX. It is probably more modern than the File System used on IBM mainframes running IBM OSs.
4. Yes the registry is unique. The closes I found for it is the Central Library Directory used by CDC on NOS.
Computers are no cars, cars you should change oil periodically because of frictional lose and contamination , electrons don't wear out. You fix computers when they break, and then when fix only what is broken. A sledge hammer is the wrong first tool.
Reasons behind reformatting your hard drive and reinstallin
by kfitzenreiter - 9/28/09 11:04 PM In reply to: Reasons behind reformatting your hard drive and reinstalling Windows OS? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hello.
First and foremost, we all like to preserve our data, which is why it is so critical to have your main hard drive reasonably partitioned and also to possess other backup options like a "slave" drive and/or external usb drives at your disposal.
If your computer is a mainstream OEM, such as, Dell, HP, Compaq, etc, you probably received a "recovery" disc with your machine. This CD/DVD contains all of the programs, including windows xp, that were on your pc when you first took it "out of the box." If you don't have one you can usually buy one from the OEM for a reasonable price, usually around $20-40 or so.
If you are fortunate enough to have bought a computer from a local OEM, i.e., a small, local computer store, you may have received a real, bona-fide windows xp cd complete with product key. You would also have received another cd with motherboard drivers on it.
If you have this second scenario, that is, a pc from a local OEM, by all means, if and when you ever reinstall windows, PARTITION YOUR HARD DRIVE. Sorry to "shout," but it is really convenient later on if you have done this. If you partition into two or more "drives" you can copy your data to this second partition and it will still be there when you delete the first partition, when it comes time to reinstall windows. This means that the data on that second partition will survive the reinstall process.
Now I know all about hard drive failure which is why I recommend having a second internal hard drive and/or an external drive.
Copy all your files to both backup hard drives if you have them.
In a nutshell, as far as the advantages of reinstalling windows goes, it pretty much gives you a "brand new" machine. The partition deletion, creation, and formatting gets rid of just about all malware. It doesn't hurt to scan the backups for viruses with another machine, but I usually don't. It gives you a fresh, new windows OS to which you should add free antivirus and firewall programs to safeguard your "new" OS, such as, AVG or AVAST antivirus and zonealarm firewall. Use the "free" versions of these programs.
And always remember to backup your data.
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