Reinstalling my PC

[Skye07]

It's been since April 2007 that I reinstalled Windows XP, and Microsoft's OS is such a great piece of software that you need to reinstall it every few months to keep it running fairly fast (starting winXP takes about 5min - shutting down is about 3). Also for some reason my DVD drive only reads at 1mb/s speed anymore (driver conflict I guess or something). So yeah, time to reinstall and get rid of al those annoyances (sp).

I've made myself a list of programs I need to reinstall, but maybe you guys know any other programs that are handy to have.

Here's my list:

Alcohol 120%
Camstudio
CCleaner
K-Lite Codec Pack
FlashFXP
Floola
Getright
MS Office 2003
Hamachi
Hitmanpro
Imgbun
ISPMonitor
PSP7
Oxygen Phone Manager II
RealVNC
RocketDock
SQLyog
TeamSpeak
TeraCopy
Treesize
Whatpulse
Winamp
Winrar
WinXP Manager
Norton 2005 (OEM licence)
Windows Live Messenger + MsgPlus
Yahoo Messenger
Xfire
Zoomplayer


That should be about it, might look like quite a large list but I use all those programs on a reguar basis. So, do you think there's anything else (or better programs) than the ones I have?

Also do you have any suggestions for reinstalling Windows XP? (it's OEM with my laptop so it's just a couple of recovery disks)

 

[laminaatplaat]

This is just a list that shows what I do different on my pc (and I dont use all stuff you use)

DAEMON tools (for cd emulation, so no need for A120%)
Nero lite + IMGburn (for burning stuff)
NOD32 (no other crap like hitmanpro and norton)
VLC mediaplayer (no searching for codec packs that get out dated and stuff) -->> is alot like zoomplayer so nvm
Windows normal firewall (its good enough if you do normal things online)

EDIT: I dont mean that A120% is bad software

I advice: codec packs suck, norton stuff slows your pc alot, hitmanpro can be good and bad...

 

[Skye07]

I know Norton slows down PCs alot but I don't know any software besides Norton that blocks ads on websites effectiently. (read: I'm too lazy to look it up so I just ask it here)

 

[nloding]

Fuck Norton/Symantec. Install a free antivirus like AntiVir, Avast, or AVG, and get Firefox with Ad-Block add-on. You're set.

In addition to RocketDock, get Launchy. I can't frickin' live without Launchy anymore.

 

[King Zargo]

You forgot SuperMegaSpoof.

 

[Mars]

Yeah should certainly install launchy. It's a keystroke launcher that is quite handy. I highly recommend it,as it makes finding files very easy and quick.

 

[Salamantis]

Fuck Norton/Symantec. Install a free antivirus like AntiVir, Avast, or AVG, and get Firefox with Ad-Block add-on. You're set.

In addition to RocketDock, get Launchy. I can't frickin' live without Launchy anymore.

+1. Norton is a piece of crap, and I've had experience with it. I have Avast and it works for me just fine, it wins.

And it's free, too!

 

[xJonny]

Unlocker
Eraser
Steam
Last.fm
Rivatuner
Chosen Internet Security
Chosen Browser

 

[xcalibur]

Don't get K-lite Codec pack.
Get CCCP, with all the codecs they install and media player classic, there hasn't been a single media file which I haven't been able to play

 

[Westside]

Make sure that when you go to porn, go to legit porn sites. Do not go to those that looks unprofessional, or those from some unknown companies. There is about 4 or 5 major porn producing companies that comes to mind instantly. The major ones are virus and spyware free and have high quality material. I've been watching high quality porn, and since then, I haven't need to reinstalled my XP, it's been 2 years.

 

[Skye07]

@xJonny: Thanks for those programs, I've downloaded them and checked out what they did, seems pretty interesting

@xcalibur: I got CCCP too

@Westside: I got other sources

@nloding: I got Launchy now but haven't installed it yet, not really see how it makes life easier from the screenshots on their website but I'll soon find out

So, I don't use Firefox, I use IE7, yeah I know it sucks and all but I'm used to it and I'm not planning to switch. Anyone knows a good adblocker?

 

[xJonny]

If you were using firefox i'd reccomend the Adblock Plus addon, but since you're not I don't know, although I head admuncher or whatever its called is good.

 

[Fiddy101]

Make sure that when you go to porn, go to legit porn sites. Do not go to those that looks unprofessional, or those from some unknown companies. There is about 4 or 5 major porn producing companies that comes to mind instantly. The major ones are virus and spyware free and have high quality material. I've been watching high quality porn, and since then, I haven't need to reinstalled my XP, it's been 2 years.

Get KMPlayer instead of VLC IMO its better.

 

[juggernaut911]

for all in one IM, I recommend Pidgin. it does IRC too!

*downloads half the list! (good software)

 

[anime_junkie]

edit: nvrmind.

 

[theman69]

iTunes
Object Dock
Bioshock
Vent

only things i use so....

 

[Flooded]

Utorrent
Ccleaner
Eraser
AusLogics Disk Defrag
Firefox
PeerGuardian 2
K-Lite Codecs pack
VLC Player
Unlocker
Recuva
Mozbackup
Steam
Avira Antivirus - Free
Spybot search and destroy
Ad-aware

 

[Urza]

Make sure to nLite your disc to remove all the useless bloat (can make XP noticeably faster, and allow you to removes certain annoyances).

Also, http://gbatemp.net/index.php?showforum=166

 

[Flooded]

Make sure to nLite your disc to remove all the useless bloat (can make XP noticeably faster, and allow you to removes certain annoyances).

Also, http://gbatemp.net/index.php?showforum=166

Great program thanks a lot.

 

[Rayder]

Absolutely essential to ANY PC setup:

After the initial Windows setup and you are looking at the default windows desktop screen.......install the chipset drivers and reboot. If you have a motherboard disk for your motherboard, use that.

Then install component drivers. (sound card, video card (driver only) and any other cards you may have in the system)

Go to Windows update...get everything. Then finish installing the video drivers (the rest of the drivers). Reboot.

Then install all the other programs you use or that everyone else suggested to use as you see fit.

After all that, you will need to go through all your settings and set them how you like.

Run the defragmentation program.

Doing this stuff out of order can result in a seriously screwed-up system. Believe me, I know. I've set up many dozens of PC's in my time. There is a very specific pattern to a successful setup, as I succinctly outlined above. Follow that and you should be good.

Hope that helps ya!