reformatting

[Sharp67]

i have had soo many comp probs i have decided to reformat....but before i do i want to make sure this will make a difference in my performance...i am almost 100%sure that i have at least 5 viruses that have my antivirus scanners compromised and i cant do anything about em....any help would be great i would like to do this asap.

 

[Original Syn]

A format will almost always make a difference in performance, especially if you've acquired some spyware and viruses. Windows XP and Vista are pretty straight foreward to format, you pop in your Windows CD, re-boot, do whatever juju it takes to boot from the CD (most of the time this requires only hitting a key when it asks you too, some PCs you need to hit a button to get the boot selection screen first)

Then you setup your partitions when asked, I usually just delete the partitions there and re-allocate. In days long ago it was recommended that you split your partitions up into multiple sections to handle the sectors more efficiently but not really necessary, I like to put my swap in its own partition but that's preference. When you re-create your partition you will have to re-format, windows will ask if you want a quick format or standard. Quick just kills the table that tells Windows where the files are, standard will actually over-write all the data as well. Standard isn't REALLY necessary but if you have the time, I'd do it.

Once windows is installed, apply all your hotfixes from windows update, download firefox, AVG Free Edition or Avast, delete all shortcuts to IE and never* again have to deal with viruses or spyware.


*Not a guarantee but I did this with my mom's computer and it's been two years since I've had to service it.

 

[chinaonnitrous1]

Your going to be spending alot of time downloading windows updats.


But i wuold jump on another computer and pre-donwload all the latest Drivers, Firmware updates.

 

[HaloRacer]

heck, I reformat even when my computer is running great. i like to keep things clean and organized, therefore efficient and fast. Doing a format will definitely help.

And you need to stop downloading weird stuff. I have been running Windows XP on my gaming desktop for almost 3 years with NO anti-virus or 3rd party firewall. Actually I have the Windows firewall turned off now too. I use Ad-Aware and SpyBot S&D, and that seems to be all I need. I do a lot of web browsing.

 

[-nocturne=-]

You ever try nlite? It's a pretty nifty app... Basically you copy your xp cd to a folder, and you can modify the installation to no end -- integrate service packs and drivers, add/remove windows components/driver packages, preset tweaks, setup an unattended installation, and there's also dozens of 'addon' packs that allow you to integrate almost all of the most common freeware apps straight from the xp install -- and it packs that all into a bootable ISO you can burn and install from.

Try not to go too crazy tweaking and removing if it's your first time using it, and always have a spare original xp install cd just in case.

www.nliteos.com