Reformatting: how to make it pain free?

massahwahl

massahwahl

VIP Member
So I've had my pc for a year now and I'm ready to a full reformat on it to keep it running good and to wipe out all the crap that's been installed on it that I don't need anymore. So what's the best way to go about doing it?

I'm running vista 32 and I really wanted to attempt to make this reinstall as quick as possible. I know I will need to reinstall all my programs and such, but what about windows updates? Is there a way to back those up so I don't have to download them all again?

Besides that are there any vista features that will help me out with this?
 
if you format your disk you will loose everything, you will loose any updates although you should never install windows updates in the first place, only install service packs. the best way to format your disk is to put a windows disk in and tell your bios to start from the cd drive and follow what it says.
 
"I know I will need to reinstall all my programs and such", you know this includes, drivers, for things like graphics card, nic, sound, printer etc... Is this an OEM, custom build??
 
if you format your disk you will loose everything
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That's true. Reformatting will cause you to lose all your data and you will have to install everything all over again.

only install service packs
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Yes, never install those updates, when you get them, click on the custom tab and you will see all the garbage that it wants to install such as, there was a time where it wanted me to install Safari which is for Mac, and I run a PC, not a Mac.
 
mac550 said:
if you format your disk you will loose everything...
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Yes... I know what 'REFORMATTING MEANS' lol

you will loose any updates although you should never install windows updates in the first place, only install service packs.
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I should have been more clear, this is what I meant. Can you back up the service packs?

the best way to format your disk is to put a windows disk in and tell your bios to start from the cd drive and follow what it says.
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lol, I thought I had mentioned Ive done this a lot in the past...

I was mainly looking for ideas about what the best plan of attack is or quickest way to back up everything. Maybe it was my fault for being sort of vague...
 
not to go too far off topic, but installing updates is a good idea...maybe not the optional ones, but the critical ones.
 
I don't really get what you are saying. I'm just really tired right now bro. Anyways, i think driver magician might help you with your driver situation there. What i do, is use a small 40gb partition on my external drive that i just back up anything that i downloaded that i think i might need for later. This would include mostly drivers, some powertoys, and all the ISO's of my install cd's for other proggy's.

For now, i really do not know what you can do. Like you, i like to keep the computer clean so i probably perform a reformat ever 2-4 months, or unless i F something up.

So, probably starting from after this reformat, just save stuff on an extra partition, or a flash drive, or some kind of whatever.

good luck
 
ukulele_ninja said:
I should have been more clear, this is what I meant. Can you back up the service packs?
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no you cant but there is no point when you can just download them from microsoft's website

Cleric7x9 said:
not to go too far off topic, but installing updates is a good idea...maybe not the optional ones, but the critical ones.
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no you should never install windows update, they open more bugs than what they fix and they slow you computer down much. take my mum's laptop, before you install updates it takes just over 60 seconds to start up fully, with only critical updates, just over 4 minutes, with all updates, well i gave up waiting after 10 minutes. That was with only windows xp sp2 and basic drivers install, nothing else.
 
(I'm not calling you out or anything mac)

but, i've always installed the updates, my computer is still fine.
 
Ive never had any problems like that either Mac...Ever.

Thanks Vizy Ill check out driver magician. I like to do this task at least once a year and it will be a year next month so its due... I just really dont look forward to doing it...
 
Thumbs up for Driver Magician, I re-installed about 3 months ago after allowing this program to seek out all my drivers and save them to my "Data" D: drive. Just a case of pointing to where the drivers were saved, so much easier with them all in one place.
 
I know it sounds old fashioned, but sorting your files well when there going onto the external device does wonders for quickly finding the things you need to use. I also tend to use two storage devices, the second one is to make extra copies of sensitive files, you really cant loose. This may be an option for you? Idk.
 
mac550 said:
no you cant but there is no point when you can just download them from microsoft's website



no you should never install windows update, they open more bugs than what they fix and they slow you computer down much. take my mum's laptop, before you install updates it takes just over 60 seconds to start up fully, with only critical updates, just over 4 minutes, with all updates, well i gave up waiting after 10 minutes. That was with only windows xp sp2 and basic drivers install, nothing else.
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dude, service packs are just bundled updates...
 
Tuffie said:
I know it sounds old fashioned, but sorting your files well when there going onto the external device does wonders for quickly finding the things you need to use. I also tend to use two storage devices, the second one is to make extra copies of sensitive files, you really cant loose. This may be an option for you? Idk.
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I agree 100% but let myself get a little lazy in sorting my files on my external drives. I plan on being more careful next time around.
 
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