How often do you have to re-install your OS

[GohanSSJ]

I'm wondering how often do you do this, and because of what, because of virusses, or just basicly messing it up, or because of a new computer parts?

[Shyguy]

Me, usually once a year or more, only when I get or install a New OS drive or new Mobo/CPU or whatever, unless it gets messed up bad from Virus's/Spyware or soemthing else. So far this year 3 times Ive had to install XP, all due to HD failures or poor performance, but Ive gone a year & a half with my first installation of XP until teh HD started to act up earlier this year.

[brian0555]

I usually reinstall xp every 3 months or so to clear out the orphaned programs & files. It keeps it running quick and smooth I think :D

[GohanSSJ]

I used my last 2 windows for over a year, 1 was 98SE which i used like 1,5 year, and now i have been using XP for like 1,5-2 years.

[Centurion]

I don't - except for unreconverable things involving the HD.

I use ghost and PM and Drive Image.

I hate to have to reinstall - failure to fix the issues.

I have found some flakey installs though - w95 is on one machine for last 7 years.

[GohanSSJ]

That counts for re-installing aswell, sure you don't have to actually re-install, but it's basicly to see how long people can go with windows (or an other OS) before you can't use it anymore because it crashes all the time etc.

[davidw]

I voted for option 3 1/2. I do mine every 6 months. The only other exclusion is when I get a bigger hard drive.

[PresterJohn]

well having to reinstall your OS if it's because of major hardware changes (mobo upgrade,etc) shouldn't really count of course.

but i've been using my w2k machine for over two years w/o a reinstall. needing to reinstall your OS every 3-4 months is ludicrous. if your machine is slowing down that much, then you're probably doing something wrong...ie. spyware, virus, or running 'questionable' software it.

one commonly used group of questionable software are registry cleaners. imo, they oftentimes do more hard than good in the long-term. if you want a long-running, problem-free machine, don't run a reg cleaner on your PC...this applies to both commercial packages and the freeware stuff!

[Win2Kuser]

I agree with what PJ said...

I have machines here that have had Win2K installed for well over 2 years. A good firewall (outpost), anti-virus such as AVG and updated files, periodic spyware tests and a de-frag once a month are all thats needed, they are still as fast as the day the os was installed.

[davidw]

Originally posted by PresterJohn
needing to reinstall your OS every 3-4 months is ludicrous. if your machine is slowing down that much, then you're probably doing something wrong...ie. spyware, virus, or running 'questionable' software it. What about all of us who are not doing something wrong, or don't have spyware, virii, or 'questionable' software? What if we just like install programs and try them out before we purchase them? What if we decide not to run certain programs and then uninstall them? What if we install a program that we've had for a while, but then found out that it doesn't work with Service Pack 2? For example. I like playing around with themes, but I just now reinstalled my Style XP, which I recently found out my version was NOT compatible with SP2. I'm not going to pay for an upgraded version just to comply with SP2. I'd rather just remove SP2, patch up what needs patching and run the program for what it IS compatible with. Not trying to sound upset, cause I'm not :D I just wanted to say that there are a few of us out here that like our systems running in tip top shape and we are not playing with fire, and are not complete idiots. The only thing questionable about some of the software I have is why did I even bother keeping it for later use, when there are perfectly good, better, alternatives out there.

[PresterJohn]

C-C,

a lot of what you're describing is different and my remark about not needing to reinstall may not apply.

obviously, a user modifying system files for themes and then later has a problem with patches/SP's may have to a very good reason to reinstall. same also if you install a lot of test/evaluation software.

i was merely commenting on PC's for general use...that reinstalling the OS more than once a year (and i'm being conservative at 1 year) is probably overkill and that if you have to do it on a regular basis because of system slowdown then the problem is something else. i would point out that installing and uninstalling a number of software packages should not result in any appreciable system performance hit.

[davidw]

It's cool, really.

It's been about 4 months since my last reinstall, and I'm due for one now - kinda like an oil change. :D

I've got so much I need to reorganize, but this time I'm going to set up a file server at the same time - and just reformat the initial partition, set up XP Pro or maybe get my hands on a beta of Longhorn, if its available yet, and just start fresh on my new 160gb. Its either that or set up a Raid, but I may just get 2 80s for that. Ahh, the possibilites. More than likely a file server with a fresh reinstall. (of course - put FaD on it)

[Alchemist]

The last time I did a complete re-install of everything, I made sure to image it onto DVD's :) Now every couple of months I reinstall the image to get rid of any orphands progs or virus/spyware that might have made it onto my Pc.

[Plum Ugly]

I keep several machines to test junk on that I reinstall every 2-3 weeks.On my main machine 2 years. On test1 -----15 minutes before it crashed(OC)

[robin801]

I keep several machines to test junk on that I reinstall every 2-3 weeks.On my main machine 2 years


this is me also. i just love trying out free programs.

robin

[paul9]

usually every 3 months or so. sometimes for a fix, sometimes for an os version change, and usually 'cause i'm bored and wanted to do it;)

[Bruneau]

When did XP come out? :D

[Germ]

I can't vote. I use Linux and don't have to reinstall. I just upgrade the kernel and apps. I've been using Linux for 7 years and have been MS-free for quite a while. It's pretty nice. :D

[Stan]

I usually re-install when I change the hardware (HD, mobo). No need to re-install if everything runs smoothly...

[Creatures]

new pc, win 2k, that's more than 1 year ago, but i once had to "repair" it donnu why, but i dont think that's installing the whole thing agian =)

BTW i had win xp, but i never liked it, that's why i switched back to win2k, i love this os, the most stable os ever^^

Creatures

[MintabiePete]

I usually reformat and reinstall once a year , but sometimes if it is going well , and I havn't got the time , I use the old adage " If it dont need fixing , dont fix it " or words similar to that .

cheers

MintabiePete

[Butch_DeFeo]

I format and reinstall the xp OS alot , Sometimes 2-4 times a month, Because a basic paid for antivirus program to the free ones to the free antispyware programs to the paid ones , do not remove all the hacks, and I have tried alot of software too, and I found you are just best off learning how to save your xp settings to your second drive and your files and if you get attacked just reinstall windows,, for me it takes only 15 - 20 minutes but my cpu is fast so it never takes too long.


anyway I use the free for a year etrust ez antivirus, and adaware , and spybot,and the sp2 firewall , and the free microsoft antispyware, thats all anyone really needs,, becouse? ultimately, if you dish out hundreds of dollars or less to pay for the so called best of protection,,,, if badly hit your still in the same boat as anyone

[Lt.Col.Claymore]

I'm wondering how often do you do this, and because of what, because of virusses, or just basicly messing it up, or because of a new computer parts?

Hello guy's!
me Back Again *Sigh*

Really busy in the last Few Years!
just out of this world!

but i though let visit my yold firends! :blahblah:

Btw abou tthis post i need to do i evry year or two
becouse of Well the usual Stuff Virussen but mostly
i play many Games but with only 7,6 gig left! (of20gig)

i need to remove the other in order the play the well..other!
i really working my *** oof To buy myself an new MusclePc

A Voodoopc RAGE Extreme AMD gamer Price Tag arround 3400 Euros ! in 19% VAT (european then)

Still need to do that becouse of those Sace damging games like Doom3 Halflife2
and then again i put most of my CDS to MP3 in order to use them on My Ipod Shuffle !

So Space i my Biggest isseu!

(and for the reason of My (Second) Absence (girl involved)

-----------------------------------------NO Comment :rolleyes:-----------------------------------------------------

Still i think i whont be online here every day!
got work to do Visting's

and ooh, yhea Party's!

Btw i Aint the Same Guy like the one back October 2003!
More of Freeguy then Internet Addict!

But you know what they Say once i Pc Freak always PC Freak


Guys Wish you all a Great day

Hasta la vista dude's

[Jeordie]

I usually reinstall xp every 3 months or so to clear out the orphaned programs & files. It keeps it running quick and smooth I think[QUOTE]

[QUOTE=PresterJohn]one commonly used group of questionable software are registry cleaners. imo, they oftentimes do more hard than good in the long-term. if you want a long-running, problem-free machine, don't run a reg cleaner on your PC...this applies to both commercial packages and the freeware stuff!

First off, I do mine about three to six months depending on how my OS is running. I've found on my Windows XP media center 2005 OS that occaisionally I'll have to either repair or reinstall due to either some problem causing it to crash a number of times. Usually a repair works fine, but I find a new install the best way to get rid of orphaned files and cleans up the system well leaving it to run fine for awhile.

I tend to use a lot of software and at times when things aren't running well due to corruption or some random occourance where things just feel like they need to be reinstalled. I just take an hour or so and back everything up that's needed like documents, videos, pictures, favorites, saved files or settings from an application or game. Then I begin repairing, personally this isn't a hard task for me and usually runs better for me.
I've began installs that have had problems from the start which is usually uncommon. However times like those symantec ghost would be great to use. I've used it a few times still on certain machines that are easier to reinstall that way like peoples computers i've worked on and families pc's.
I used to use registry programs like ones from norton system works and others, I've tend to find this to cause more harm than good on my workstations. I keep everything up to date on my workstations and since I can switch back and forth, I will just reinstall rather than attempt to fix certain things like corrupted files through windows repair.
I keep my OS and programs on seperate drives which are on raid. So I opt out for even considering using norton ghost. Plus as I've mentioned I keep everything up to date so I would then be having more of a problem uninstalling programs and end up with orphaned files by the next 3-6 months.
Other people may have a simpler setup and use a lot of these methods or are good about using minimal programs and keep it simple. I'd probably do this too if that were the case as I do for other peoples pc's that I work on.

[Taz480]

Usually once or twice a year as a general rule, as long as I don't have any major problems. Otherwise, if I do, or I just feel like reconfiguring my boot stup, like my triple boot I did recently, I'll reformat sometimes up to 6 or 7 times a year. Depends. I don't mind it so much. Backing up and reinstalling doesn't bother me. It gives me something to do. :lol:
What bothers me is reinstalling all my music and settings and the 9million programs I have. :lol:
Takes a while to get it back to the way I like it. :)

[madfish]

Depends, how bored I am at the moment.
if I decided to experment in the registry again :D.
installed all kinds of free/shareware stuff because I'm bored. {see above}
Because I'm bored.

[Atomic Rooster]

I don't. Unless I install a new HDD or something. I think this install of XP is going on two years now. :D