Reformatting

How often do you guys recommend for formatting/reinstalling/cleaned? I don't know the technical terms, sorry, lol. I see talk of this and wonder if I'm due.

My computer is about 2 years old, seems to be lagging a little, my antivirus, adware, spyware programs, etc., are kept updated and run regularly. The computer is used everyday for basic stuff like e-mailing and surfing.

I'm not familiar with this so it wouldn't be something I would even attempt to complete myself. Any guesstimations as to how much it would cost?

 

I like to reformat and reload Windows every 6 months or so to keep things running smoothly... just be sure to back up (save to CD) anything you wouldn't want to lose: stuff like music, photos, documents, etc... As long as you have all the needed software (Windows CD, driver CD's, etc.) it's a fairly simple and straight forward process. BUT- if you don't want to do it yourself, most (if not all) PC stores should charge for an hour of labor. Labor rates can vary greatly from $40/hr to over $100/hr: so call around. If you don't back up your stuff first, it'll be gone forever or the shop will charge extra to do it for you..... the shop where I work charges a flat rate for a Windows reload and it includes installing all the drivers, service packs, updates, and a 'burn-in' period to make sure everything is stable....

hopperdave2000

 

Thank you for your detailed information. I'd like to learn how to do this myself, but sounds to me something that I should have the geeks look after, I'm not that edumacated on the computer, lol. I'll jot down a few notes from your post to help me explain what I would like done at the computer shop.
Thanks! Much appreciated!

 

Yes, an informative response. Could I ask what you mean by a 'burn-in' period hopperdave? And while you're on the keyboard, at what stage of the whole process should one defrag? Also, can repeated reformatting be bad, and if so, why? Thanks.

 

Hello OOOoops ... Thats a bit drastic to reformat so's as to tidy your hard drive. There are plenty of free cleaning tools here at MG & progs on a months free trial. First I would run a Virus check then a malware (spybot) check (adds.spies.nasties) that will use your proccessor thus slowing computer down. Then a good defrag ( reorders and replaces all files when they have become fragmented) A registry Cleaner, backup all important files to disc or spare Hard Drive. Create a new restore point. If you do a thorough clean you will be amazed how much faster your rig will go. Take a look through the ''Freeware'' list that is on page one of MG. If you do a Format and reinstalation all drivers/progs and configurations in BIOS will have to be performed which can be a pain especially when you cant find prog/drivers amongst the clutter and cobwebs if your anything like me lol.. And remember patience is the order of the day here, and if you are still not satisfied with advancement in speed get your grease gun out Formatting is a last and final solution to a slowing computer. Any further help you need just post back and someone will be here to assist.

 

Good question! I'm curious about this as well.

 

Hi!

Thanks for so many suggestions! I clean/scan/defrag regularly, and the computer has been lagging for a while. Will be nice for a fresh start as I've learned a lot and probably deleted a lot that I shouldn't have, lol.

 

The 'burn-in' period is a length of time (usually overnight) where we leave a PC running a fairly intensive task (like drawing 3D pictures over and over- or randomly reading and writing to memory... anything that we can run in a loop works...) to make sure that it is stable and in good working order. If it can run for at least 8hrs doing a fairly hard-core routine, it's a good sign that it'll be OK for normal PC use. It's a real good idea to run burn-ins on new PC builds to make sure all the new components are working in harmony....

hopperdave2000

 

Would you defrag before or after the burn-in?

 

Wow, Some interesting stuff here....
I agree with Toke that reformating is a bit drastic, I also thik that burning in a used system is a bit drastic with no new major parts added. I further agree that a good virus/spyware sweep and cleaning your current configuration is a good way to go. I also think that after that long that your registry may be very bloated, this might be an area to look at. A lot of times win you uninstall programs they leave all kinds of pieces behind.
If worst came to worst I would do a repair install, as this can often make your computer act a lot more civilized then it was, and this way all installed programs, pictures, music, etc remain where you left them.
Burn in is something that you do for major new parts, a new processor, etc. Defragging should be done weekly if not more often, depending on how often you install, or remove programs. A couple of the better defrag programs such as diskeeper, and perfect disk will also look at the boot section of your hard drive and determine if it needs to be defraged, this also can make a world of difference in a computer.
I think a little house keeping on the harddrive may be all that is needed here and nothing really more drastic then that, if you do not see an improvement then I would think about reformating, this alsois not complicated, simply reinstalling Windows will give you the option to reformat. If you want all doubt removed then look for a program that will do a DOD or a NSA wipe of your hard drive then everything is completely gone, but then as soon as you try to install Windows it will ask you to reformat anyhow.

 

Well, I did it, got it reformatted, reinstalled XP. I'm glad that I've got a fresh start, but jeepers, what a pain in the tushie to get things back to how I liked them! lol

A question, how can I get rid of the Welcome Screen that appears when I turn the computer on? I don't remember having that before reformatting. Now, I have to click on my name for it to continue booting up. I don't need to set up other "users" on the computer, it's just me (and bf, but we use the same stuff).

Thanks!

 

Well done, it gets easier the more times you do it
..... as long as you learn from the previous times !

a program like drivermax can make it easier
http://www.majorgeeks.com/DriverMax_d5260.html
(backs up all of your drivers)

If you have all of your software, drivers and data organised.
Its the best way of 'cleaning house'

I reformat about every 6 months
Thats when I do my backing up

 

check out this link, re: windows logon
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=114988

 

Thanks! I'll check that out.

(Looks like my previous post disappeared, I swear I didn't hit the delete button! lmao In case any on lookers peek in, I had asked how to get rid of the welcome screen.)

Thank You!