Time to reformat... - TTLG Forums

TTK12G3 on 7/5/2009 at 02:21

I am considering reformatting the HD of a computer that I've had running on the same XP install for seven years. Its performance has gotten a little on the slow side and a few improvements have been met with limited success. While I am against the idea of trying to fix something that isn't broken, I can't help but think that I could get my computer to work like it did not too long ago.

I want to know when it is considered prudent to reformat an HD.

theBlackman on 7/5/2009 at 07:07

Try running a REGCLEANER,( (www.hoverdesk.net) Freeware Regseeker) Defrag, and visit (www.tweaktown.com) for the XP tweaks.

It is also good for information on reinstalling XP and starting clean.

Oceanstorm on 7/5/2009 at 08:32

I usually format my drive & re-install xp every 2 to 3 months.
It keeps everything fresh & running well. It's just a pain installing the drivers, games & programs again.

I haven't really used any 3rd party drive maintenance programs, I'm too scared I'll delete something I shouldn't & the os will go belly up.;)

bikerdude on 7/5/2009 at 09:13

Quote Posted by TTK12G3

I want to know when it is considered prudent to reformat an HD.

I do it every 3-6months(but I have a ghost image) and that has been the same all the way upto vista. But I am testing Windows 7 Rc atm so we shall see if the same holds true..

Oceanstorm on 7/5/2009 at 09:20

How does the ghost image thing work Biker & what is the best program to use?

Matthew on 7/5/2009 at 13:20

The sysadmin at my local college always recommended Norton Ghost to us.

bikerdude on 7/5/2009 at 13:20

Quote Posted by Oceanstorm

How does the ghost image thing work Biker & what is the best program to use?

Ghost is harddrive/partition imaging software, it takes a copy(snapshot) of your hard drive or partition and saves it as a file to a location of your choosing.

I have my harddrive split into 2x partitions, primary and secondary, the first is for windows and the second for everything else. For example my harddrives total size is 640GB, to I have partitioned is as 100Gb and 540GB.

Norton currently sells two versions: Ghost 14.0 and Ghost Suite 2.5, the version I recommend is Ghost Suite 2.5 as it comes with the DOS client

(http://shop.symantecstore.com/store/symnasmb/en_US/DisplayProductDetailsSmbPage/productID.104206700/ThemeID.106400/pgm.12858700?resid=UBv-QgoHAi4AABr9AssAAAAE&rests=1241702158882)

The DOS client is the best one to use, here are some pics I found via google.
(http://images.google.co.uk/images?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rlz=1R1GGGL_en&um=1&sa=1&q=symantec+ghost+DOS&btnG=Search+Images&aq=f&oq=)

if you need any more info you know where I am

TBE on 8/5/2009 at 02:47

I recommend Acronis True Image over Norton Ghost.
The backup is quick and painless, and the recovery is even better.

(http://www.acronis.com/) Acronis True Image here. Free trial as well.

bikerdude on 8/5/2009 at 09:48

Quote Posted by Taffer_Boy_Elvis

I recommend Acronis True Image over Norton Ghost.
The backup is quick and painless, and the recovery is even better.

(http://www.acronis.com/) Acronis True Image here. Free trial as well.

Ghost can be run from a floppy or USB stick in dos mode, I dont think acronis has that ability does it..?

TBE on 8/5/2009 at 11:54

Yes. It is also good at finding external drives without even using drivers. I use it because it makes a system image, rather than just file backup. Ghost does something similar too.

You'll never have to reactivate Windows, or reinstall any programs when you make a system image. It's like your computer was exactly like it was before you had a problem. You can even change drives, and it will change your volume information to match the new hard drive, smaller or bigger.