Clean Up

[James]

Hi, basically I've had my comp a few years now and at the moment I'm on my gap year so i'm not using my computer for work and have nothing really important on it. I thought it might be a good time, as it seems to be slowing down, to wipe it completely clean and start afresh. I have all the windows, office etc. all the software i think i need cds. Hardware wise, it's still ok'ish it was top of the market when i bought it and it seems to be going ok (i.e. I can run fairly demanding programs like battlefield2 on moderate-high graphics without too many problems) but I have installed so much crap on it and unistalled thing incorrectly etc. when i was completely new to computing so
I was hoping someone could give me advice on:

a) how to do this, i have never done it before.
b) the risks involved - is it worth it or am i likely to get stuck with a non functioning computer.
c) anything else you can think of that may be of help.

Thanks for any help, if you need more details just ask!

 

[AWS]

Make sure the box is set to boot from cdrom.
Put the XP cd in the drive and reboot. You'll get a message to hit any key to boot from cd. Hit spacebar and the Windows installer will start. Once you agree to the EULA you'll get to a screen that will ask where you want to install. You'll see your current install. Select that partition and after it is selected choose format. It is important at this step to format the partition otherwise you'll get a second install of the OS.
At this step I always delete any existing partitions and then create a new one and format it. That way I am sure no remants of the old OS are left.
After the partition is formatted then continue on with the install. Once it's done you'll have a clean OS and you can install your apps. First thing after install you should update at Windows Update and then install your apps.

You'll have no problems doing this and once the box is running you'll notice improved response and it will be much faster.

 

[James]

thanks, very helpful info.
Formatting the drive like this will delete everything right including all stuff like files in my documents, because I have so much crap i just want to get rid of absolutely everything and start afresh.
Also what does the computer do about drivers etc. (i.e. for graphics cards, printers etc.) when you format like this. Will i need to reinstall most uptodate drivers for my graphics card, bb connection etc.
Thanks for help!

 

[AWS]

Windows will install the drivers needed. Once you get the install done and updated you can download any of the new drivers.
Formating a drive will clean everything.

 

[James]

Thanks for the advice, much, much appreciated!

 

[LadyWickedd]

what happens when windows {I am using win98se} won't upgrade the drivers, or detect or download or anything really, for the drivers for My cd rom\rw-dvdrom {samsung} and the dvdrom/burner {Pioneer S606 external}, I have reformatted because nothing wanted to work right, this was after numerous scans came up with nothing....the burner worked great, and now, for some reason, the burn software {all of it} is only reading the dvdburner as a cd burner......if I upgrade, things get worse... :{

help??????????? PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!

 

[LadyWickedd]

n/m, found the ultimate fixxxxx!!!!!!

 

[James]

Sorry to bring up old thread again (just got back from gap year travels so still havent done this yet),
Once i get to the stage of selecting partitions to delete/format i have two current sections:

One drive part named "-" (which i presume means unamed), which is a 32 meg part in FAT32 file system (with i think 25meg used),
the other drive part; "C" is the rest of the hard drive (120GB) in NTFS.
What should i do at this point?

a) Delete both and create a single new NTFS in the unpartitioned space?
b) Delete both and create a new version of both?
c) Delete neither and just re-format the "C" part?
d) Delete the "C" part only and then create a new one but leave the FAT32 part?
e) You've got the completely wrong idea in all the above, do this.....

(not sure if i mentioned above but using windows xp pro and a dell dimension 8250)

I read somewhere i can't remeber about dells after a certain date being shipped with a partition and something to do with reformatting but i can't remeber where anyone know anything about this?

Thanks!