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Thread ID: 81969	2007-08-12 09:23:00	Format - the ultimate nuke method. Good or Bad?	Bozo (8540)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
579886	2007-08-12 09:23:00	I havn't long been posting and helping in these forums, but one piece of information/help that seems to be getting posted for any of the following problems: Slow pc Network Trouble BSOD Virus/malware/spyware is 'FORMAT THE HARD DRIVE!' While this method will work, 9 times out of 10 it isn't the easiest, quickest, or most practical way of solving the problem. So me (in my infinite wisdom {jokes lol}) decided to start a new thread, and ask peoples opinion on why they use the NUKE METHOD on problems that could be solved in the old fasion way - fixing the actaully problem, not just starting again. Personally i hate doing a full re-install on a pc, unless i have an image of the hdd from an original state of perfection to use, and only use it in the event that nothing else has worked. Look forward to hearing what you all have to say!	Bozo (8540)
579887	2007-08-12 09:28:00	May be a good time to consider the possibility of changing to Linux (depends really on your commitment to Windows apps)???? You would not be the first person to change for the reasons that you present!	johnd (85)
579888	2007-08-12 09:30:00	I find that with Win XP at least, I need to do a clean install maybe every 6-9 months as it slows down enough to be noticeable even after defrag/compact etc. It is 'just Windows'. I'm heading towards 6 months with this install and tried WindowsCare V2 the other day, mainly to sort out registry entries etc. Seemed to make a bit of difference. Besides, a re-install will fix anything other that a stuffed HD :)	Shortcircuit (1666)
579889	2007-08-12 09:31:00	Well it depends what you have. And if it can be fixed, (and youre patient, it takes time)!, you wont have to format. If its malware or a trojan its pretty easy to remove it. If its a BSOD, the more info you give the better, ppl here maybe able to help you fix the prob, without u having to format. There arent too many probs with trying to figure out how to network. If theres are probs, the person ISN'T following the instructions / FAQ in here. And u dont usually format, because you cant figure out how to make a network work.	Speedy Gonzales (78)
579890	2007-08-12 09:32:00	May be a good time to consider the possibility of changing to Linux Might not be the right time to mention that johnd... I was getting close with PClos until the meltdown :D	Shortcircuit (1666)
579891	2007-08-12 09:55:00	May be a good time to consider the possibility of changing to Linux (depends really on your commitment to Windows apps)???? You would not be the first person to change for the reasons that you present! :thumbs: No maintenance required or security issues here :)	winmacguy (3367)
579892	2007-08-12 09:56:00	Full reinstalls do clean out all the rubbish and start from fresh, personally on my own PC this install is 3 years old and has a few faults, but it works( most of the time) bit slow to start but I know what that is. I should reinstall but I cant be bothered reloading all the programs / data etc. Hell I do it every day on customers PC's - You know that old story about never buying a mechanic's car LOL:lol: I could reload the original image like Demon said, - 10 mintes from memory- but still a lot of work since I've also added so many programs after that image. If you run the usual system checks, good AV, antispyware etc, then usually things tick along OK, apart from hardware failure, like I had on Friday 13th - yeah hell of a day!, a few weeks back. Thank god for the new Windows Home Server (RC1) - had a HD failure on this PC, installed a new drive and run the recovery from WHS from the previous nights back up - all programs data every thing fully restored with in 20 minutes- 37Gb worth. I do have all data backing up daily automatically to a server, but then theres still reinstalling every thing.	wainuitech (129)
579893	2007-08-12 10:12:00	The computer I am on now was last reformatted in October last year and it made a huge difference. I would recommend it provided you got the time and are prepared to lose the use of the computer for a short period of time.	JSF_enthusiast (8536)
579894	2007-08-12 20:06:00	'FORMAT THE HARD DRIVE!' While this method will work, 9 times out of 10 it isn't the easiest, quickest, or most practical way of solving the problem . Personally i hate doing a full re-install on a pc, unless i have an image of the hdd from an original state of perfection to use, and only use it in the event that nothing else has worked . Yes I also Format . Probably once or twice a year or when I get too much rubbish or any problems that are hard to solve . I only have OS and Programs on C drive everything else goes to other Drives . I don't have bookmarks as i save those in a seperate program . Only think I need to backup is Outlook and yes, i could have the outlook . pst saving to another drive also, but a Batch file creates a copy and updates regularly . Windows and other big programs accumulate a lot of rubbish over time that never gets removed until a format . I have done this since Win 3 . 1 and the early days of Ghost image program long before Norton got their sticky hands on it . I also have a current image which makes for a fast recovery set up with the OS, its updates, AV, network settings, several small apps i use all the time . Once the image is done just a matter of updating AV and Spyware apps and installing any bigger programs, Office etc . Overall it does not take long .	Bantu (52)
579895	2007-08-12 20:33:00	the following problems: Slow pc Network Trouble BSOD Virus/malware/spyware is 'FORMAT THE HARD DRIVE!' While this method will work, 9 times out of 10 it isn't the easiest, quickest, or most practical way of solving the problem . peoples opinion on why they use the NUKE METHOD on problems that could be solved in the old fasion way - fixing the actaully problem, not just starting again . ! And who says they use this method? I sure don't . I am very hesitant to wipe someones drive . However, malware and other problems aside . Lets discuss Slow . And now you tell me exactly how you fix that . Note: I am not talking about malware problems here . You can, you could clean up the tenp folders, clear the restore points, declutter startup, which leaves the registry for startes . None of thois reg cleaning programs actually clean it out properly . I've checked that . Then theres the NTUSER . dat . You could go through the registry manually I suppose, clear out their profile and so on, but what do you think that does?	pctek (84)
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