Reinstalling XP?

Cool Texan · 12-21-2005, 09:50 PM

So lately my computer is nothing but problems....slow boot ups, sometimes it freezes part way through, applications hanging up, etc. I'm guessing I need to reinstall XP, but dont really know how to go about it, or what I need to know. I am in the process of backing up important data (pictures, etc), but what's the process here?

fishinfool · 12-21-2005, 09:53 PM

Have you run spyware checker? it doesn't sound like XP is the problem. Spyware can cause all the problems you are talking about. Spybot search and destroy and adaware are great programs that are free. Try that if you haven't first if that don't work it might help to reload XP and if you need help pm me I have dealt with doing that to much. Tim

Cool Texan · 12-21-2005, 09:56 PM

Run spywares pretty regularly...nothing shows up.

Catching Nemo · 12-21-2005, 09:58 PM

Try a registry cleaner (go to zdnet.xxx and "downloads" for a free one). Also run a defragger (Diskkeeper Pro 10.0 trial version) but not the built in one. When my computer starts to get bogged down it is usually one of these 2 problems.

fishinfool · 12-21-2005, 09:59 PM

Hmm I still think XP is not an issue. It is so reliable I mean for a microsoft product. Any new installs? Format and reload is such a hassle.

happybrew · 12-21-2005, 10:01 PM

I have two XP machines, and have had to do the same thing when the kids' games eventually messed 'em up. One had a restore CD. The other had a partition on the hard drive to reinstall it. You should be able to go to the 'help' section for instructions on how to do it if it's on the hard drive. But definitely back up all you need. Often forgotten things include your emails and address book, Microsoft Money, files from your scanner, and don't forget the emails and address book for your wife and any other users on your computer. Don't ask how I know this. Oh, yeah, if you print your checks and bills from your computer, at least write down your settings so you can re-enter them easily when you reinstall. Good luck with that. Been there at least once a year. That's why we use our old ME machine for the internet. We won't lose anything important if something screws up our computer, and it's happened even with a firewall and anti-virus. In fact, I've gotten two alerts from my firewall as I was responding to this.

happybrew

Moldy45 · 12-21-2005, 10:01 PM

CT if you dont have alot of stuff you really need on your pc a good reformat will maker run like new again,if you got any qestions pm me ill see if i can help

Firedog · 12-22-2005, 05:19 AM

C Cleaner works good also http://www.ccleaner.com/

JustCallMeDave · 12-22-2005, 05:22 AM

Or just go and get a USB drive and move all your documents, bookmarks/favorites, and other important data to that before you format.

Before you format and reinstall, partition your hard drive in two. Part for your operating system, most for programs and important data. That way if you ever have to do this again you won't lose anything important.

HeavyMetal BankFisherman · 12-22-2005, 05:40 AM

Good advice

Jennie@ifish · 12-22-2005, 05:53 AM

But if you do that, don't you risk "moving" the errors or whatever is slowing your comp down, right back onto your new format?

Jen

JustCallMeDave · 12-22-2005, 06:30 AM

It's highly unlikely that the errors are contained in the types of files that he's likely to save (bookmarks/Favorites, Word docs, etc). It's usually an unrecoverable corruption somewhere within the core operating system, which is fixed remarkably well with a reinstall.

Cool Texan · 12-22-2005, 06:32 AM

Dave, that's the game plan...just waiting for a deal on an external hard drive. I'll do some more scanning software, but I dont think its going to be a spyware thing. We'll see. I love my Gateway computer....I love my Gateway computer....I love my Gateway computer....

(side note...I've already had to reinstall XP once a couple of years ago cuz it was screwing up and Gateway said that was the only option)

The Chub · 12-22-2005, 10:23 AM

Get a real copy of Windows XP, don't waste your time with the restore disk. Those things have mucho crap that you don't need, and all that junk slows your system down to boot!

JustCallMeDave · 12-22-2005, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Get a real copy of Windows XP, don't waste your time with the restore disk. Those things have mucho crap that you don't need, and all that junk slows your system down to boot!

It's SO wrong that a person can own software and have to buy it again like that, but that's another rant.

The Chub · 12-22-2005, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Get a real copy of Windows XP, don't waste your time with the restore disk. Those things have mucho crap that you don't need, and all that junk slows your system down to boot!

It's SO wrong that a person can own software and have to buy it again like that, but that's another rant.

I totally agree