Are You a Regular "Reformatter"?
Friday November 14, 2008
I don't know about any of you, but I'm definitely a regular reformatter. I'd say every 6 to 12 months.
I'm referring of course to reformatting your PC and reinstalling the OS and all the software. It's kind of like buying a new computer - Windows is fast again, that annoying error message that comes up when you shut down your PC isn't there anymore. I love it. Even if it's not always necessary, it's nice to have a clean start.
Of course maybe I have some kind of complex.
Anyone else find themselves regularly reformatting their PCs? Voluntary or otherwise?
How to Clean Install Windows XP
I'm referring of course to reformatting your PC and reinstalling the OS and all the software. It's kind of like buying a new computer - Windows is fast again, that annoying error message that comes up when you shut down your PC isn't there anymore. I love it. Even if it's not always necessary, it's nice to have a clean start.
Of course maybe I have some kind of complex.
Anyone else find themselves regularly reformatting their PCs? Voluntary or otherwise?
How to Clean Install Windows XP
Comments
I’ve reformatted a few time, but only when necessary, I find it too much of a hassle to do voluntarily.
Every single year. It’s a spring cleaning ritual. It forces me to make regular backups, gets rid of any software I’m just not using anymore, and just keeps things running smoothly. It can be scary the first few times. You have to make sure you make a complete backup (I use a MyDisk external hard drive) and have all your software CDs and serial numbers handy. Once you get through it a couple of times it’s fast and safe.
Many times formatter. Autumn and winter. Especially after downloading and trying many utilities and wanting to discard lots of them traces they leave, etc).
I prefer to limit C: drive partition to the operating system only leaving other partitions for applications, data, digital photo images and the like. My goal is to keep C: partition as small and as clean as possible.
With the judicious use of Acronis True Image I can maintain a “clean” image copy of C: drive. Then I can periodically wipe C: drive partition, reinstall a clean copy of Windows without a lot of hassle; and reload the essential applications. While the registry is at the heart of Windows, it is also the primary problem with Windows. Too much is tied together within Windows instead of having an .INI type file associated with individual applications.
I generally do a clean install about every six months. However, I am going to experiment with saving a basic image with just the bare essentials and then do regular incremental backups with all the garbage installed.
I would love to do that right now, but I can’t back up my files. I get to disc 9 or so and then it fails.
I know there is something wrong and reloading Vista would sort it out, but how do I back up just what I need?
Also, does anyone else have the problem of Vista missing a letter out while the system catches up for a second? Constantly have to check over what I have written, does my nut in!! Any cures out there for it?
Clif says that he has his OS on C, and his applications etc elsewhere. When he reformats C, why does he have to reload hes applications, given that they’re not on the same partition or disk?
Usually twice a year. I use Acronis, but it’s time to start a new and make a fresh image this go around. It really is like having a new computer all over again.
I read through the minutia of steps involved. I have issues.
1. I have an old version of XP. How do I get the updated version disk and if I don’t have SP3 how does XP perform the downloads and installations again? I suppose it’s just another update procedure. Am I right?
2. The most important steps (I think) seem to be missing – how to reinstall all the programs you’ve wiped out. Next time I’ll partition for Windows to install and sit by itself but now the entire disk is one big partition.
3. You recommend using as big a partition as possible. On a 120GB disk that seems like a lot of wasted space.
4. Finally, what is the best partitioning of a disk? I can see Windows, programs, and data as separate partitions but what about data associated with specific programs (e.g.: favorites files, dictionaries, data bases, etc.) ?
Most people don’t want to have to go to all that trouble (that includes me) and only do a format if absolutely necessary. With all of the third party programs around these days (and free ones at that) to keep your computer running well I don’t see any need for it.