I have had my 2002 laptop for 6 years and never have reinstalled windows XP. I have read that it is a good idea to do so, as it gets rid of a lot of extraneous files which slow down the system. It would also get rid of apps that I really don’t use anymore without having to use add/remove. I have an external hard drive and have backed up all my files, so besides the time it takes to reinstall apps and files, are there any other negatives to doing so?
I was hoping that I could speed up the system on my oldest laptop.
I have reinstalled windows XP on my 2003 desktop as it was necessary, so I know the procedure.
As long as the preparation is done correctly it should have no downside apart from the requirement to install updates, so dependant on your current flavour on disc download service packs 1A, 2 and 3 (as required ) then follow the tutorial I have made here http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/Reformat-Install-Windows-t173729.html
Thanks Essexboy,
I have SP 3 on a CD, so I wouldn’t have to download it again, and of course it includes SP 1 and SP 2 doesn’t it?
Thanks for the tutorial. It is very complete.
RoRo
it’s good idea to re-install it after a long time.
before doing it I recommended to do these:
back all important files in an external media (What you have done already)
download all newer version of your hardware drivers for your laptop company web-site. (such as VGA, Lan, Audio and…) because maybe after re-installing windows it’s possible that your network don’t work to download and install them.
prepare your product keys to use again to install your windows and other programs, back-up all your license for paid version of your programs to re-install them.
after re-install your windows, first of all, install all your hardware drivers and then install windows service pack, then use Microsoft Update website to install any remaining update and hotfix http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate
and then install your Antivirus and all security software else that you may install and enjoy your windows!
anyway, I’m not an expert! so… listen to our other expert too… I just told you my opinion
DavidR and RNfromTN,
I checked my Add/Remove program files and along with plenty of updates only noticed the installation of Windows XP Service Pack 3. Neither SP1 or SP2 were listed. Do you think that means SP3 would be enough? I just went to this site: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsxp/sp3/default.mspx
I guess you have to have SP 1a or SP 2 installed before you can install SP 3.
Even if I did use one of the disk imaging programs instead of reformatting, I would still be left with all the junk that I have on my computer now wouldn’t I?
I am not having any problems that would force a reinstallation of Windows at this time, but thought it might just speed up my machine to get rid of the junk rather than uninstalling and deleting stuff. I am down to 4 GIGs of hard drive on a 40 GIG machine, and have the top RAM of 604 that can be installed.
I have another much newer laptop and a desktop that i reformatted last year, so this older laptop isn’t necessary for my everyday use.
I am thinking of getting a disk/imaging program for the future though.
I have seen Acronis recommended. Has anyone tried the free Macrium Reflect? http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.asp
RoRo
You would think so Tech.
But according to Microsoft:
“Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) is a free update for Windows XP. SP3 includes all previously released Windows XP updates, including security updates, hotfixes, and select out-of-band releases. To install SP3, either Windows XP Service Pack 1a (SP1a) or Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) must already be installed.”
The only problem is that there isn’t an easy way to check what the version on XP is on your CD until you reinstall and then My Computer, View system information would tell you that you have Win XP and if any SP has been included that to would be reported.
Your best bet would be to download the XP SP2 update and save that to CD also and if you find after the reinstall that you don’t have SP1 or SP2 then first install that before SP3.
Yes the problem being there is contradictory advice also from MS that you need at least SP1 installed to be able to install SP3, as Mac showed with his link.
You don’t need the best, you need one that works for you.
I’m still using Drive Image 7.1 the last version from PowerQuest before they were bought out by Symantec and it still works fine with XP Pro SP3. There are even free versions of disk imaging software that are up to the job, I think Acronis True Image is expensive for what it is.
Thanks for your input.
I think that I will go for Acronis. I have used GoBack in the past but found that when my computer really went bad all my waypoints were erased, so it didn’t do me much good, and I had to reformat anyway.
RoRo
