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A computer question... or two

Marcos

Marcos

I love you Rocky & Sammie and Bee...thank you
Joined
Jul 29, 2006
Messages
1,763
I am contemplating a fresh install of XP on my computer. The computer is 5 years old and starting to seem bogged down. I have heard that a new fresh install can help in this situation and I am still a little short to purchase a new computer. I know I have to back up the data, bookmarks etc. I am also aware that at some point in the install I have to partition the disk. How many partitions do I need? I don't even know how many I have now. I am pretty sure none b/c I have only disk c at this point. Do I need to install XP on one partition and all my other stuff on another? Another question is regarding my internet. I use Comcast high speed and when the tech first came to my house he did a few things and downloaded a few things to make the internet connection work. Will this reinstall mess up my internet? What else am I missing before I get myself into a mess that I can't get out of? Thanks. Marc
 
You don't HAVE to install a separate partition, but I have seen people place the swapfile on a partition other than the system partiton and have seen benefits.

Comcast used a disk to setup the modem, you will not need to re-do this.
 
If your computer is a Dell, compac or HP, you may have a recovery partition or disc set that you can restore from.

Also, IF you are going to blow the thing up anyway, you might try running "system restore" and choosing a point in the distant past. That by itself might speed you up.
 
Why not buy another hard drive and do a reinstall on that?

I always forget to back something up when I do a wipe. A second hard drive will let me go back if necessary.
 
vin# said:
Why not buy another hard drive and do a reinstall on that?

I always forget to back something up when I do a wipe. A second hard drive will let me go back if necessary.
Click to expand...


This is great advice.

You can always hook up your old drive as a slave drive .

DO the fresh install of XP on the NEW HD.
 
vin# said:
Why not buy another hard drive and do a reinstall on that?

I always forget to back something up when I do a wipe. A second hard drive will let me go back if necessary.
Click to expand...

Not really in the mood to buy anything else. Just looking for a fresh boost for this computer.
 
"The computer is 5 years old and starting to seem bogged down."

I know what you mean. My XP seems to be doing the same thing, and it's not as old as yours. When I do a virus scan, I see there are something like 110,000 files scanned, even after deleting the temp files. I KNOW I shouldn't have that many, and don't need or use that many, but I haven't a clue what I can safely delete.

Anyway, keep us updated on your reinstall...Good Luck! :thumbs:
 
You could do a few things:

1) buy a new drive and install the OS on that - and reinstall everything (make your old drive a second data drive)
2) buy a large external hard drive that has 'backup' software - backup the drive entirely...then load a new OS.

I wouldn't worry about partitions.
I normally only move the swap file and other such items to a drive on a differnt spindle (a different drive) ((do not do this with an external drive)
I don't really see the need for it otherwise...although it's suppose to help. Here's a linky about it!

Yes, you will most likely need the Comcast software - it depends on how long a go that was done. Today, some ISP's just let you connect with the standard Microsoft stuff. If you have a USB key/stick/HD - go to Comcast and download the software to that....and you should be all set. Actually - it looks like they us the MS stuff.

Good Luck!
 
When you back it up make sure you do a search for pictures "jpeg" and music"mp3, mpeg,m4p". some programs save stuff in funky spots. Restaging a machine suks if you have a lot of programs. It will make it run faster though.

Try downloading and running crapcleaner let it clean everything up then under issues let it scan and then fix stuff. It's free and worth a shot.

If you go to the system property advanced perfomance then select adjust for best performance it will turn off the effects and make it run faster.
or try this xp help

As for the partion, when it first starts it's install there will be a spot for the partion, I would blow the old one/ones out and install on the whole disk.
 
Another thing you may want to do BEFORE you go through this exercise is download a copy of HijackThis!, run it and examine the results. What is does is look at all of the things that you wouldn't otherwise see to see what is really running which could slow your machine down. If you are not technical enough or just don't want to scour the logfile yourself, I can be persuaded. :)

Might save you the trouble of rebuilding the machine for just a few minutes work...

Fish

Linky
 
tkoepp said:
You don't HAVE to install a separate partition, but I have seen people place the swapfile on a partition other than the system partiton and have seen benefits.

Comcast used a disk to setup the modem, you will not need to re-do this.
Click to expand...

You don't have to create a seperate partition, however when you re-install, it will ask you to create a partition(c drive) to load windows on. Do an NFTS quick. Also, before you do any of this, make sure you have your drivers CD. If not, you will likely not be able to get ion the internet because there is a modem driver on there.
 
Hahah Today is the day that I have to reinstall all of my macalicious stuff on to my ibook, I started what normally takes 1 hour at 1 pm and right now I am looking at 1 hour and 7 minutes to finish just the base install of the os! Not to mention all other softwares....... UGGH!
 
smokinbolt said:
tkoepp said:
You don't HAVE to install a separate partition, but I have seen people place the swapfile on a partition other than the system partiton and have seen benefits.

Comcast used a disk to setup the modem, you will not need to re-do this.
Click to expand...

You don't have to create a seperate partition, however when you re-install, it will ask you to create a partition(c drive) to load windows on. Do an NFTS quick. Also, before you do any of this, make sure you have your drivers CD. If not, you will likely not be able to get ion the internet because there is a modem driver on there.
Click to expand...

Is there a big difference between the quick version and the other NTFS version other than time? What's the difference?
 
Marcos said:
smokinbolt said:
tkoepp said:
You don't HAVE to install a separate partition, but I have seen people place the swapfile on a partition other than the system partiton and have seen benefits.

Comcast used a disk to setup the modem, you will not need to re-do this.
Click to expand...

You don't have to create a seperate partition, however when you re-install, it will ask you to create a partition(c drive) to load windows on. Do an NFTS quick. Also, before you do any of this, make sure you have your drivers CD. If not, you will likely not be able to get ion the internet because there is a modem driver on there.
Click to expand...

Is there a big difference between the quick version and the other NTFS version other than time? What's the difference?
Click to expand...

Time...and the depth of format.

If you are clearing the old drive...after backup...then I'd suggest a full format not the quick.
A full id's the tracks and any bad sectors.
On a new drive the quick is fine.

excertp:

Quick format
Creates the file system structure on the volume without verifying the integrity of every sector in the volume, which increases the formatting speed. If the volume is already formatted and you are sure the disk is not damaged, use this option. If quick format fails, perform the format again without using quick format. A full format identifies and tracks bad sectors so that they are not used for storing data.
 
Does Comcast use a password for the internet? I have dsl, and they use a password. You might want to check. If you are using a router you should be alright. The password will be in the router if required.

I also recommend what AngryFishH said. HijackThis! will pick up a lot of things that other programs will miss. You will need someone to help you look at the log file. Deleting everything it list will get you in trouble.

Remember to get all the necessary drivers: video, sound, network, etc.
 
If you feel brave, and I know you don't, you could consider a different operating system. This depends on what you use it for, primarily. If you can afford it, it is also a good time to upgrade memory and hard drive capacities.

Windows operating systems are basically terrible. Just look at all the updates. I wonder how updated your present system is, BTW. Have you done most of the recommended updates? If not, you may do well to order the disk from Microsoft that incorporates all the updates in one swell foop.

BUT, unless you play many high graphics games, I recommend getting the latest version of Linux. It is a much more secure and stable operating system and requires less maintenance. It also takes up less system resources allowing your computer to operate more efficiently.

If you don't feel this is for you, do two things for sure. GGo to the Microsoft website and order the latest service pack disk. This will include the latest updates. BEFORE you format your dick, flash your system BIOS to install the latest version BIOS.
 
vortex said:
If you feel brave, and I know you don't, you could consider a different operating system. This depends on what you use it for, primarily. If you can afford it, it is also a good time to upgrade memory and hard drive capacities.

Windows operating systems are basically terrible. Just look at all the updates. I wonder how updated your present system is, BTW. Have you done most of the recommended updates? If not, you may do well to order the disk from Microsoft that incorporates all the updates in one swell foop.

BUT, unless you play many high graphics games, I recommend getting the latest version of Linux. It is a much more secure and stable operating system and requires less maintenance. It also takes up less system resources allowing your computer to operate more efficiently.

If you don't feel this is for you, do two things for sure. GGo to the Microsoft website and order the latest service pack disk. This will include the latest updates. BEFORE you format your dick, flash your system BIOS to install the latest version BIOS.
Click to expand...

:laugh:
 
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