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| Thread ID: 81858 | 2007-08-09 05:30:00 | Hardrive wipe - How effective for speed increase? | --Wolf-- (128) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 578540 | 2007-08-09 05:30:00 | Am thinking on doing a HD wipe (reinstall windows) on my 2 - 4 year old Dell laptop (cant remember) that I've never done before. I know how to do it but just wondering what I need to know. I'm going to back everything (everything being my files) onto a dvd disc, but my main question is, should/can I back some programs onto a disc as well? I'm not going to use any disc burning program (or should I?) but programs like Photoshop CS3, ZoneAlarm etc that are either big to download again or are needed somewhat straight after re...wipe or w/e you wanna call it. I assume it will give me a good increase in speed, as it has never been wiped before (even tho it is under half full, hd is only like 30gb) I just gotta remember what to reinstall... |
--Wolf-- (128) | ||
| 578541 | 2007-08-09 05:51:00 | my main question is, should/can I back some programs onto a disc as well? I'm not going to use any disc burning program (or should I?) but programs like Photoshop CS3, ZoneAlarm etc that are either big to download again or are needed somewhat straight after re...wipe or w/e you wanna call it. no you cant..........those programs will need REINSTALLING......you cant just copy them onto cd/dvd and then copy them to another drive and expect them to work they WONT..... |
drcspy (146) | ||
| 578542 | 2007-08-09 05:53:00 | Save the install files instead of the program files. | pcuser42 (130) | ||
| 578543 | 2007-08-09 05:53:00 | And by that I meant the .exe files, not the shortcut/folder itself. I think I have a few of the .exe files laying around.. | --Wolf-- (128) | ||
| 578544 | 2007-08-09 05:57:00 | It'll be better if u have a big hdd and partition it, so the 2nd partition is big enough to hold the files you've downloaded (esp if youre on dialup like myself). It saves me getting programs and XP updates from the net again. I just install the updates, after I format, and copy them across the network, if I format the other PC here as well. And unless you've got some kind of program that can make an image, I wouldnt bother backing up programs (that have been installed already), on cd or dvd. Unless you've got the original exe / install files. They wont work. The speed may depend on ram, the speed of the system etc. Formatting a system wont necessarily make everything faster with all systems. You may want to backup the drivers before u format, if u can. Its better if youve got the cd with the drivers on it. These arent exactly small if you have to dl them. Unless you've got Vista or the file for XP to burn to DVD, you cant burn to DVD. XP doesnt support DVD by default (without the Imapi update). |
Speedy Gonzales (78) | ||
| 578545 | 2007-08-09 06:00:00 | I assume it will give me a good increase in speed, as it has never been wiped before (even tho it is under half full, hd is only like 30gb) Umm, not neccessarily. Why do you think that? A comprehensive spyware/defrag/registry clean, maybe a repair install might do the same thing. Not saying it's a bad idea, sometimes a good format & start again just feels nice. But your assumption of a big speed increase is questionsble. |
mmmork (6822) | ||
| 578546 | 2007-08-09 06:06:00 | Am thinking on doing a HD wipe (reinstall windows) on my 2 - 4 year old Dell laptop (cant remember) that I've never done before . I know how to do it but just wondering what I need to know . I'm going to back everything (everything being my files) onto a dvd disc, but my main question is, should/can I back some programs onto a disc as well? I'm not going to use any disc burning program (or should I?) but programs like Photoshop CS3, ZoneAlarm etc that are either big to download again or are needed somewhat straight after re . . . wipe or w/e you wanna call it . I assume it will give me a good increase in speed, as it has never been wiped before (even tho it is under half full, hd is only like 30gb) I just gotta remember what to reinstall . . . I hate to jump on this bandwagon again . . . but if you REALLY do the burn-down and re-install . . . before you get to the Windows Updates for the Hotfixes and stuff . . and AFTER you install SP-2 . . . . . . . install WMP10 if you had WMP11 before . You'll like it a lot better without the WDRMs . . . . . . |
SurferJoe46 (51) | ||
| 578547 | 2007-08-09 06:18:00 | 2'nded on the drivers front - some windows install disks don't even have network drivers. A cd or usb drive with network/audio/video/sound will save many dramas. Also, look up slipstreaming windows. ie creating a bootable install disk from the one you have which will include subsequent updates you have already d/l. Fair chance your disk won't even have sp2; add to that the rest of the MS updates and it'll be a big d/l to update your new install. Haven't done this myself yet, must get onto it.. |
mmmork (6822) | ||
| 578548 | 2007-08-09 06:21:00 | before you get to the Windows Updates for the Hotfixes and stuff . . and AFTER you install SP-2 . . . . . . . install WMP10 if you had WMP11 before . You'll like it a lot better without the WDRMs . . . . . . That's if you use WMP at all . It maybe part of XP, but its not the best or the only program you can use . |
Speedy Gonzales (78) | ||
| 578549 | 2007-08-09 06:21:00 | Drivers for what exactly? And I thought, after 2 - 4 years I have installed and uninstalled a LOT of junk, some folders still hover around etc. Also reinstalling programs might help with the speed? I dont think I even have the latest version of WMP, barely use it. Do I have a big enough HD to partition? I dont even know how that works.. Is there a way to see if my disc has SP2 on it? Sounds like I might have to bump my boradband usage limit up this month... |
--Wolf-- (128) | ||
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