New hard drive for a slowing computer

mr_simon · 08-25-2009, 05:30 PM

I have had my current PC now for a couple of years, and I use it very frequently. I have replaced the processor once and the graphics card 3 times to keep it up to date hardware wise.

Recently though over the last few months, its been driving me mad. So many blue screens, games crashing, 5 minute boot ups, just general rubbishness. I know this is probably because my hard drive is jammed up with rubbish (including Vista

) and I was wondering if this would work: Backing up any thing I need onto my external drive and just getting a new hard drive, putting a fresh install of Vista on it (I have the CD retail version) and just starting from scratch in this way. The hardware is not the problem, I am sure of that, its just the hard drive is full of crap and the computer is driving me mental!

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Bodaggit23 · 08-25-2009, 05:35 PM

Yes, you should reinstall Windows from time to time.

Some people do it several times a year.

I don't think a new hard drive would be necessary, unless the one you have
is slow, like a 5400rpm drive.

mr_simon · 08-25-2009, 05:40 PM

No its not a slow hard drive, but its only 160GB, and I could do with a 500GB one.

Excuse my ignorance, but is there a way to reinstall Windows so it goes back to a brand new state, ie nothing but the OS on the drive?

StrangleHold · 08-25-2009, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr_simon

Excuse my ignorance, but is there a way to reinstall Windows so it goes back to a brand new state, ie nothing but the OS on the drive?

Yes when you do a clean install.

mr_simon · 08-25-2009, 07:25 PM

Ah thanks for the replys. I think I will just go with a new hard drive, that way I have the original just in case and I can get a larger size.

Cheers All

Bodaggit23 · 08-25-2009, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr_simon

that way I have the original just in case and I can get a larger size.

Not a bad idea.

You can still use any unused space for storage too, as long as you keep out of the system files.

mr_simon · 08-25-2009, 10:47 PM

Thanks again,

Whats the general opinion of Maxtor Hard drives on here?

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/159390...roduct_reviews

Thats the one I'm looking at getting.

EDIT: Bought a similar drive but Western Digital, as I know they are good and it was only a few pounds more. Thanks for the help all.

08-25-2009, 05:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
mr_simon Bronze Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Age: 41 Posts: 27	New hard drive for a slowing computer I have had my current PC now for a couple of years, and I use it very frequently. I have replaced the processor once and the graphics card 3 times to keep it up to date hardware wise. Recently though over the last few months, its been driving me mad. So many blue screens, games crashing, 5 minute boot ups, just general rubbishness. I know this is probably because my hard drive is jammed up with rubbish (including Vista ) and I was wondering if this would work: Backing up any thing I need onto my external drive and just getting a new hard drive, putting a fresh install of Vista on it (I have the CD retail version) and just starting from scratch in this way. The hardware is not the problem, I am sure of that, its just the hard drive is full of crap and the computer is driving me mental! Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

08-25-2009, 05:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
Bodaggit23 Diamond Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Aperture Science Posts: 4,535	Yes, you should reinstall Windows from time to time. Some people do it several times a year. I don't think a new hard drive would be necessary, unless the one you have is slow, like a 5400rpm drive. __________________ Team Stats @ ExtremeOverclocking.com Team Stats FOLDING FOR THE GOOD OF MANKIND :F@H Team 44358 CPU: i7 920 Batch#3841A525 (@3.43Ghz) Board: EVGA E758-A1 Memory: Dominator 3x2GB DDR3 1600 Hard Drive: 300GB VelociRaptor GPU: EVGA GTX260 SC Core 216 Optical: Sony Optiarc 22x DVD/CD Burner PSU: Corsair TX850W CPU Cooling: Noctua NH-U12P SE1366 Primary OS: Windows Vista x64 SP2 Case: Coolermaster HAF 932

08-25-2009, 10:47 PM	#7 (permalink)
mr_simon Bronze Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Age: 41 Posts: 27	Thanks again, Whats the general opinion of Maxtor Hard drives on here? http://www.ebuyer.com/product/159390...roduct_reviews Thats the one I'm looking at getting. EDIT: Bought a similar drive but Western Digital, as I know they are good and it was only a few pounds more. Thanks for the help all. Last edited by mr_simon; 08-26-2009 at 01:40 PM.

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08-25-2009, 05:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
mr_simon Bronze Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Age: 41 Posts: 27	No its not a slow hard drive, but its only 160GB, and I could do with a 500GB one. Excuse my ignorance, but is there a way to reinstall Windows so it goes back to a brand new state, ie nothing but the OS on the drive?

08-25-2009, 07:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
mr_simon Bronze Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Age: 41 Posts: 27	Ah thanks for the replys. I think I will just go with a new hard drive, that way I have the original just in case and I can get a larger size. Cheers All