re-formatting computer?

by **Tommy Boy** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 9:26 am

OK, I have been reading for years now how people re-format their computer and the performance is so much better...

So I want to know how you do it...what do I need, it sounds like a disaster waiting to happen for me, but I want to try it.

Any thoughts of guides on how to do this? Thanks for any help...

by **Jim0322** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 10:43 am

Do you have the CDs for your operating system and also for the other programs on your computer? Make copies of all your files (documents, pictures, ect) you want to save. Do you use Windows XP? It is not hard with XP. I don't remember all the steps but essentially you put the XP CD in the drive and select the new install option. I think it gives you the option to format at that time. It walks you throught he basic installation.

You then have to update your drivers. I have an NForce motherboard so I had to install the latest drivers for it, as well as graphics driver, and install the drivers for the onboard LAN.

Jim

by **CodeRed68** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 11:08 am

sounds like more trouble than it's worth... but what do i know?

by **Davis** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 11:10 am

Uasually i just hit the f10 key and wipe all my stuff clean.... and it is a out of the box, settings... factory default.

by **SavageParrot** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 11:39 am

i HAVE A MAC

nOT PARTICULARLY RELEVEANT BUT i THOUGHT i'D SHARE IT AGAIN ANYWAY

by **Hash** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 11:53 am

Do you mean drivers for the BIOS, because if you do then i don't think i'll try it. That can kill your motherboard if you don't do it right.

by **yaDad** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 12:53 pm

a windows reinstall/fresh install is not all that hard and will give real performance gains. period.

by **Hash** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 2:58 pm

How about partitioning you drive? Is that the same as formatting.

by **Tommy Boy** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 3:35 pm

i am worried about the information. I have it all backed up (on another HD) using Norton Ghost, but I want to try a reformat of the HD to increase performance...

Is it worth it?

by **Jim0322** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 4:45 pm

I think it is worth it. Do you have Win XP? Home or Pro? What about your graphics card and mobo? Can you get drivers easily? I just installed a new hard drive a month ago. It took me a few hours to do the format, install the OS and then update to Windows SP 2 and do all my drivers.

You don't have a Dell do you? If you do ignore what i have said and get advice from someone who knows Dells. I think they might have unusual set-ups.

Jim

by **ShipWreck** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 5:08 pm

i just used my "Restore" disk. took about 25 mintues.

by **EZC** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 6:27 pm

hmmm i have been i just got a new computer and i plan on reformatting to get better game experience. thanks tommy for asking this question.

by **Bossman** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 6:36 pm

I have a dell and it's no different. Tommy, if you want to reformat you need to make sure you have disks for all the licensed software you are using, windows, office, etc. Drivers can always be downloaded.

I am not a computer literati but here's what I know. I have reformatted a few times, and each time I have noted an increase in the speed. To reformat all you really need is patience.

I actually have a Ghost image of a clean install of windows that I use when I need to reformat. The biggest pain is the that you have to reinstal all your programs.

Bottom line is if you have the patience (amd the original disks) it's worth it.

by **Mr. Slayer** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 6:46 pm

Originally posted by Bossman
The biggest pain is the that you have to reinstal all your programs.

the horror....

by **RCglider** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 7:38 pm

Most newer motherboards have a GUI utility to update the bios. Easy as pie.

If you format, after installing the OS, remember to install Service Pack 2 (unless of course it's slip streamed on the CD) first before installing any device drivers or programs.

After you install XP:
http://xpantispy.org/
Install that to turn off Windoze services that suck up resources and call out. Ever wonder why you get glitches in games? If you're not familiar with how to modify the registry and Services, that is a simple utility. If using the recommended profile, Windows Update will not work (SP2 requires Windows Update to be activated). Just load the Windows Update profile, do the updates, then reload the previous profile. You can create your own profile as well to fine tune things.

There are many ways to tweak xp, but XP Antispy is a good start.

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