Reinstalling Windows XP

Discussion in 'Computer Games and General Discussion' started by BiscuitBee, Aug 21, 2008.

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Do You Periodically Format Your Computer For Cleansing Purposes? ie NOT because of a virus/crash.

  1. Yes, when I feel like it.

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  2. Yes, yearly.

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  3. Yes, every two years.

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  4. Yes, every 6 months.

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  5. Yes, every month (EXTREME?!)

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  6. No... you crazy, BiscuitBee

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  1. BiscuitBee
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    BiscuitBee Semi-Resident Cookie-Bug

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    So I figure that today is the day that I clean up my desktop computer (I'm on my laptop at the moment).

    It's been OVER two years since I've done my last clean up. Normally, my install doesn't make it past the one year mark before getting the swift overhaul.

    I've got it pretty much down to a short evening's work by organizing my partitions in a fashion similar to you linux folk. (one for the OS, one/more for data, swap drive? What is this swap you speak of?)

    Aside:
    Warning: Spoilers inside!

    Anyhow, does anyone else share my clean-freakish ways?

    PS: I know I could just keep things running in tip-top shape by being careful... but I've done that for TWO years. Windows XP wasn't known for it's amazing registry practices you know. Stuff gets left behind somehow.

    PPS: Getting kinda' emotional, though. This install made it through 1.5, 2.0 AND 3.0 of Firefox. God speed little buddy.
     
    #1 Aug 21, 2008
  2. Apex

    Apex GBAtemp Fan

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    I don't use XP enough to feel like reformatting it for the sake of cleaning. XP is like one of those last ditch resorts I boot into when I absolutely can't find an alternative in Mac. (And most the time, I can, a much better alternative at that.)
     
    #2 Aug 21, 2008
  3. Diablo1123

    Diablo1123 Newcomer

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    CCleaners a nice tool
    I don't format much unless there's a problem or something, and those seem to occur about every 6 months [​IMG]

    Then again, I only formatted like 6 months ago because of SP3
     
    #3 Aug 21, 2008
  4. fischju

    fischju Rehabilitated Jaywalker

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    Every 3-6 months
     
    #4 Aug 21, 2008
  5. BiscuitBee
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    BiscuitBee Semi-Resident Cookie-Bug

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    Yay, I'm not alone!
     
    #5 Aug 21, 2008
  6. fischju

    fischju Rehabilitated Jaywalker

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    Keep telling yourself that
     
    #6 Aug 21, 2008
  7. BiscuitBee
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    BiscuitBee Semi-Resident Cookie-Bug

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    Harsh words... from an ex-jaywalker! I didn't want to bring up your past, but you forced me into a corner there.
     
    #7 Aug 21, 2008
  8. fischju

    fischju Rehabilitated Jaywalker

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    Your words cut into me like an enraged bonemonkey into a cowering linkiboy
     
    #8 Aug 21, 2008
  9. Sephi

    Sephi fool

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    I format when I feel like it for a clean up, happens rarely
     
    #9 Aug 21, 2008
  10. BiscuitBee
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    BiscuitBee Semi-Resident Cookie-Bug

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    I've seen linkiboy, and his cute userpic... but who is bonemonkey? Their profile says banned... and 3,226 posts.

    EDIT: And some seemly dangerous liking towards bacon?

    DOUBLE EDIT: Oh, they seem to be very active users. I don't get the inside jokes yet [​IMG]
     
    #10 Aug 21, 2008
  11. Sephi

    Sephi fool

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    BoneMonkey was the greatest there was.
     
    #11 Aug 21, 2008
  12. BiscuitBee
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    BiscuitBee Semi-Resident Cookie-Bug

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    Hmm... I might have to take back my 'cute userpic' for linkiboy. It used to be a neat little photo of a party guy on it... not it's a Wiimote undressing...

    EDIT:

    NVM. Userpic and Avatar aren't the same. My Bad.
     
    #12 Aug 21, 2008
  13. BiscuitBee
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    BiscuitBee Semi-Resident Cookie-Bug

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    And, much like Polkaroo, I just missed him [​IMG]

    EDIT: There must be a merge post button around here... anyone?
     
    #13 Aug 21, 2008
  14. Diablo1123

    Diablo1123 Newcomer

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    Lol yea that avatar always looked awesome
     
    #14 Aug 21, 2008
  15. Urza

    Urza hi

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    6 months is the maximum time Windows should have between clean formats.

    As far as the pagefile is concerned, anyone running XP on a system with a decent amount of RAM (2GB+) doesn't need it. It will only take up space and occasionally force things into swap that don't need to be.
     
    #15 Aug 21, 2008
  16. BiscuitBee
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    BiscuitBee Semi-Resident Cookie-Bug

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    Only 1.5GB here [​IMG] Which is pretty okay for XP, I find. I'm not doing anything crazy. Well, the occasional video edit and games. (That's why I have the Wii, 360 and DS). I am planning to upgrade once Diablo III hits the town.

    I'd also like to note that some people also 'ghost' image their setup. I've never really been a fan of this for home computers (work computers and servers, sure, it's amazing) because you'll end up with 6+ months old drivers that you'll have to update anyway.
     
    #16 Aug 21, 2008
  17. Urza

    Urza hi

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    1.5GB is probably enough not to need the page file, but it wouldn't hurt to grab another 1GB stick (considering RAM is so dirt cheap right now).

    Drivers generally aren't updated all that often, and reinstalling updated version generally takes only a few minutes.

    More than makes up for the time required to reinstall and reconfigure everything as you would if you hadn't imaged it.
     
    #17 Aug 21, 2008
  18. kobykaan

    kobykaan GBAtemp Addict

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    From experience the swap file should Ideally be 1 and a half to 2 times the system ram available for its maximum [​IMG]

    Regards to formatting Nope dont format I have a set of ACRONIS TRUE IMAGE DVDS (3 dvds) that I use like factory restore disks in the event of any problems which restores my system totally within about an hour [​IMG]

    basically its a FULL IMAGE using Acronis True Image software of my windows drive and all programs etc that I use most frequently along with all correct drivers for my hardware so when I restore I just have to add few little bits here and there ... I just Export my bookmarks/favorites now and then and email them to myself so I can get those back quickly [​IMG]

    its like NORTAN GHOST but works better in my opinion [​IMG]
     
    #18 Aug 21, 2008
  19. Elritha

    Elritha GBAtemp Addict

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    Getting rid of the page file completely is just a plain bad idea. Some apps will require some form of pagefile, even if you have 4 gigs of ram. It will also hamper performance to some degree.

    That been said, I generally reinstall windows every 6-12 months, or if it's beginning to feel very sluggish, which could be at any random time. [​IMG]
     
    #19 Aug 21, 2008
  20. Panzer Tacticer

    Panzer Tacticer veteran human

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    Right Here
    #20 Aug 21, 2008
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