New free computer!!!

[bobmac]

I've just been reminded about slow and infested computers from the other thread about spyware and adware.
What I do every 6 months or so is get a new computer.
Well, actually what I mean is I empty my old one and it becomes new again.
I have an external hard drive which I transfer all my music, photo files etc and wipe the whole lot off the hard drive.
Most computers have this facility and will restore your computer to how it was the day you first opened its box.
But BEWARE.
THIS IS NON-REVERSABLE
You will have to re-install all your external stuff...printer, scanner, yahoo, ss2,google earth and what ever else you have but you will be free of all the other rubbish that has grown over the months/years.
But BEWARE.
THIS IS NON-REVERSABLE
So, if your having problems, re-install your windows.
Sorry all Mac users.
BEWARE.
THIS IS NON-REVERSABLE

Does anyone else do this on a regular basis?

 

[Andy]

A lot of hassle for little reward Bob IMHO.

And if your PC illiterate then forget.

Andy

 

[RGDave]

Hmmm,

I used to reformat and all that but I've given up t.b.h.

1) on the laptop, I don't actually have a windows CD so I'm stuck.
2) on the desktop, unless I have a major issue I just leave it. I quite often use the "roll back" system restore if I've messed up something.

Many moons ago, I tried to install a professional sound card, it all went horribly wrong, and I tried all kinds of stuff for hours before thinking "why not just restore the system to yesterday?"...worked a treat.

The problem with re-formats is that you lose all drivers not included with the O.S. and have to re-install so much stuff. Not recommended for technophobes.

It's a great way to get a "new" pc, but requires time and some experience.

Best thing is not to mess it up in the first place.

 

[MarkE]

As long as you have an upto date antivirus, firewall and Super antispyware(or similar), you should'nt have any problems.
Also use Firefox rather than Internet explorer, more secure (and faster).
Most virus's arrive in your email inbox. Never open anything you are not sure about.
My current system is 4 years old and has never had a major problem that would require reformatting.

 

[RGDave]

Also use Firefox rather than Internet explorer, more secure (and faster).

I have firefox, chrome and IE....never had problems with any.

It's about what you do with it that matters. Just give everything dodgy a wide berth...

 

[Ethan]

Bob

Don't feel sorry for (us) Mac users. We are pretty happy with the low risk of viruses and spyware and the easy backups via Time Machine.

Not to mention the lack of crashes, ease of adding new devices etc etc.

So we don't need new computers every 6 months. My G5 is 5 years old and apart from some extra RAM, has never needed any serious maintenance. Never had to reinstall the OS either.

 

[bobmac]

Bob

Don't feel sorry for (us) Mac users. We are pretty happy with the low risk of viruses and spyware and the easy backups via Time Machine.

Not to mention the lack of crashes, ease of adding new devices etc etc.

So we don't need new computers every 6 months. My G5 is 5 years old and apart from some extra RAM, has never needed any serious maintenance. Never had to reinstall the OS either.

And they look dam good too

 

[Macster]

Macs rock

 

[slugger]

I've just been reminded about slow and infested GOLF BAGS...
What I do every 6 months or so is get a new DRIVER.
Well, actually what I mean is I SELL my old one ON EBAY and it becomes new again (FOR SOMEONE ELSE).
I have an external GARAGE which I transfer all my IRONS, LAST YEARS PRO V1s etc and wipe the whole lot CLEAN off the MUD FROM VARIOUS DIVOTS, SANDTRAPS etc.
Most GOLF BAGS have this facility, THAT YOU CAN GET RID OF THE STUFF THAT DOESN'T GET USED and will restore your BAG to how it was the day you first opened its box.
But BEWARE.
THIS IS NON-REVERSABLE
You will have to re-install [RELEARN] all your external stuff...PUTTER, WEDGES, IRONS, DRIVER, FAIRWAY WOODS and what ever else you have but you will be free of all the other rubbish that has grown over the months/years.
But BEWARE.
THIS IS NON-REVERSABLE
So, if your having problems, re-install your CLUBS IN YOUR BAG.
Sorry all PERSIMMON users.
BEWARE.
THIS IS NON-REVERSABLE

Does anyone else do this on a regular basis?

 

[Jamie_N]

I do this with my dads pc. I have do idea how he does it, but he makes it a nessesary move every 6 to 9 months!
I had the same laptop for 3 years before it was knackered, and that was a hardware failure that did that (Overheating!, to be fair it had 3 years of nearly non stop use!) What I have done is created a backup cd of all the installers that I need so that all I need to do is pop his documents back in and run the installers and hey presto! Works like new again.

It sounds like alot of hassle, but its not when its stops him moaning for 6 months about how crap his pc is, the poor pc isnt crap, its just full of it!

 

[Gustavo]

I've just been reminded about slow and infested GOLF BAGS...
What I do every 6 months or so is get a new DRIVER.
Well, actually what I mean is I SELL my old one ON EBAY and it becomes new again (FOR SOMEONE ELSE).
I have an external GARAGE which I transfer all my IRONS, LAST YEARS PRO V1s etc and wipe the whole lot CLEAN off the MUD FROM VARIOUS DIVOTS, SANDTRAPS etc.
Most GOLF BAGS have this facility, THAT YOU CAN GET RID OF THE STUFF THAT DOESN'T GET USED and will restore your BAG to how it was the day you first opened its box.
But BEWARE.
THIS IS NON-REVERSABLE
You will have to re-install [RELEARN] all your external stuff...PUTTER, WEDGES, IRONS, DRIVER, FAIRWAY WOODS and what ever else you have but you will be free of all the other rubbish that has grown over the months/years.
But BEWARE.
THIS IS NON-REVERSABLE
So, if your having problems, re-install your CLUBS IN YOUR BAG.
Sorry all PERSIMMON users.
BEWARE.
THIS IS NON-REVERSABLE

Does anyone else do this on a regular basis?

Very good !!

 

[Andy]

Max your RAM and you'll see a difference in speed. All this flattening HD's is doing nothing other than clearing out crap you no longer use and giving you a few hours work.

Andy