PC Problems

October 13, 2008

The more you use a computer the weirder it behaves, trust me! Junk files, viruses and registry problems all accumulate over time to cause the pc to crash, reboot spontaneously and just behave weirdly. That is why anyone who works on a pc or uses it a hell of a lot should wipe the entire system every year or so.

Wiping the system and re-installing windows xp is no big deal really but the most important aspect of the whole process is what you do before you wipe! First off, make sure you have a disc with the xp operating system on it, if you don’t you’ll have to buy one. You should have received one when you bought the pc.

Heres a list of things you must do before you format the hard drive to ensure you wont loose anything:

1. Backup all your personal files including everything in the ‘My Documents’ folder and elsewhere (desktop) to an external hard drive or some other media capable of holding lots of files.
2. Export and backup your emails, address book and email account settings.
3. Export and backup your Internet Browser Favorites/Bookmarks.
4. Backup your registry.
5. Export and backup settings form your favorite programs.
6. Locate driver discs for your pc and external hardware or download them from the web.
7. Make a note of xp and other software serials.

Next, restart your pc with the xp disc in and tap the F12 key to bring up the boot preference screen and choose ‘Boot from CD/DVD’. Let the pc boot from the xp disc and follow the prompts to install a fresh copy of xp on top of the existing one, making sure to format the C: drive when asked. The new installation will progress asking you some questions about your location, user accounts and xp keys.

When finished you will have a fresh, clean and fast copy of xp.

First thing to do is then is re-install your motherboard and external hardware drivers so everything connected to the pc works again. Next, re-install all your software either from disc or download, downloading both drivers and software is a good way of getting the latest versions of everything.

Copy your backed up files from your backup media to their original location in My Documents etc.. Import your program settings back to your programs to have them run just as before.

Took me about a day to do it recently but it depends how organized you are and how much stuff you’ve got to backup and restore but its worth it!