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Thread ID: 44650	2004-04-25 22:10:00	Why do Clean Install on old PC	Woof (2402)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
232116	2004-04-25 22:10:00	I've always been intrigued with the index.dat file issues and find the latest thread MOST interesting. But apart from index.dat files are there any other "things" that are cleaner = faster as a result of doing a fresh clean install of the operating system, particuarly on older PCs (eg: P2, and P3 with Windows 98) ? Apart from the conspiracy theories about the index.dat files it would seem to me that after 7 years or so there is ample opportunity for such "accumulations" to be slowing down the PC rather than speeding up it's performance ? Any references to previous threads or FAQ's would also be appreciated.	Woof (2402)
232117	2004-04-25 22:50:00	Well Woof, there is one point of view Here (pressf1.pcworld.co.nz) but you'll have to scroll down a bit to get to it. It is only one viewpoint mind, but one that others have also expressed from time to time. I couldn't track any examples down for lack of time right now but other posters may locate them for you. Cheers Billy 8-{)	Billy T (70)
232118	2004-04-25 23:16:00	Some people do a complete reformat and reinstall every 1-2 years of Windows merely to just get a clean slate again with the system. An older computer would of seen a lot of use and can have many programs come and go on it, all resulting in left over debris (unless the owner has been regularly cleaning up the registry). Sometimes the system has little quirks that can be corrected with a complete reinstall of the operating system. Whatever the reasons, a refreshly reinstalled Windows will bootup and run like a greyhound initially. It is a pity you have to install additional software so that you can utilise the comptuer, which slows it down from the freshly installed performance. :p The only problem with doing a complete reformat of an older computer, is finding all the drivers for your hardware which need to be reloaded again. These should be found and saved to a CD prior to the reformat. You will also need to have the installation disks for your additional software handy. All Windows updates released since your Windows installation disk was released would also have to be downloaded and reinstalled - although you can get all these off Microsoft for free at the moment on a CD which will update the system to October 2003 released patches. The whole process of doing this and then setting up the system and all your applications to just how you like it, is very time consuming. If your system runs fine and you are happy with how things are, there probably is little need to do a reformat and reinstall of Windows (Microsoft paranoia aside) :) Doing a search of PF1 will throw up some threads on this subject.	Jen C (20)
232119	2004-04-25 23:47:00	once a new reinstall of a O/S is done do a backup image , I use Drive Image means I can get the C: drive up and running perfectly within 15 mins or so without all the drama of finding drivers and my fav software etc	kiwibeat (304)
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