I'm thinking I should reinstall XP

[schck]

While I was away at school, my sister was using my computer daily
downloading tor files and creating a virus-infected community as she
was doing it. Now I have my computer back but the thing drags and
often freezes after clicking START. And some programs don't even open
at all. To top that, browser windows telling me to scan my hard drive
keep popping up. I've tried to clean up the hard drive but even some
programs won't uninstall. There are now over 200 programs installed on
the 250 gig hard drive. Before I left, I relocated the My-Documents
path to a folder located inside a WD 500 gig external drive. But that
incurred I/O errors last month though I was lucky enough to copy all
the data off before losing it completely. At this point I'm thinking
just to reformat the HD and start over with a new slate. Sort of a
self-inflicted crash (before the inevitable one anyway). What the
best way to go about this?

 

[philo]

While I was away at school, my sister was using my computer daily
downloading tor files and creating a virus-infected community as she
was doing it. Now I have my computer back but the thing drags and
often freezes after clicking START. And some programs don't even open
at all. To top that, browser windows telling me to scan my hard drive
keep popping up. I've tried to clean up the hard drive but even some
programs won't uninstall. There are now over 200 programs installed on
the 250 gig hard drive. Before I left, I relocated the My-Documents
path to a folder located inside a WD 500 gig external drive. But that
incurred I/O errors last month though I was lucky enough to copy all
the data off before losing it completely. At this point I'm thinking
just to reformat the HD and start over with a new slate. Sort of a
self-inflicted crash (before the inevitable one anyway). What the
best way to go about this?

I'd back up all your data first...
if there is not too much...just burn it to CD's or DVD's


To reinstall XP
just boot with your disk
and take the option to format the drive

 

[Lem]

While I was away at school, my sister was using my computer daily
downloading tor files and creating a virus-infected community as she
was doing it. Now I have my computer back but the thing drags and
often freezes after clicking START. And some programs don't even open
at all. To top that, browser windows telling me to scan my hard drive
keep popping up. I've tried to clean up the hard drive but even some
programs won't uninstall. There are now over 200 programs installed on
the 250 gig hard drive. Before I left, I relocated the My-Documents
path to a folder located inside a WD 500 gig external drive. But that
incurred I/O errors last month though I was lucky enough to copy all
the data off before losing it completely. At this point I'm thinking
just to reformat the HD and start over with a new slate. Sort of a
self-inflicted crash (before the inevitable one anyway). What the
best way to go about this?

Good idea. Be aware that a clean install of Windows XP really is
starting fresh. You will need:

1. A Windows XP CD and your product key
2. Drivers for any proprietary hardware
3. Install media for all application software
4. Your backed-up data (which, even though it's data, you should still
scan for malware).

For directions, see
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html#prep
http://www.theeldergeek.com/xp_pro_install_-_graphic.htm
http://www.theeldergeek.com/xp_home_install_-_graphic.htm

--
Lem -- MS-MVP

To the moon and back with 2K words of RAM and 36K words of ROM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer
http://history.nasa.gov/afj/compessay.htm

 

[Patrick Keenan]

While I was away at school, my sister was using my computer daily
downloading tor files and creating a virus-infected community as she
was doing it. Now I have my computer back but the thing drags and
often freezes after clicking START. And some programs don't even open
at all. To top that, browser windows telling me to scan my hard drive
keep popping up. I've tried to clean up the hard drive but even some
programs won't uninstall. There are now over 200 programs installed on
the 250 gig hard drive. Before I left, I relocated the My-Documents
path to a folder located inside a WD 500 gig external drive. But that
incurred I/O errors last month though I was lucky enough to copy all
the data off before losing it completely. At this point I'm thinking
just to reformat the HD and start over with a new slate. Sort of a
self-inflicted crash (before the inevitable one anyway). What the
best way to go about this?

I would agree that this is the easiest, fastest and most reliable way to get
past this.

The only real question is how to back up your data, but if you can get a new
hard disk and have OS install media, you don't have to worry about that.
Just remove the old drive, install to the new one, and later reattach the
old drive and carefully copy off what you need.

If you can't get a new drive or don't have install media, you need to find a
place to copy your data off to before beginning the reinstall.

Aside from that, the important point is having the motherboard and hardware
drivers available for use right after you finish the basic XP install. Use
these to turn on the basic chipset and hardware support so that you can then
go and get the Windows updates.

HTH
-pk

 

[Bruce Chambers]

While I was away at school, my sister was using my computer daily
downloading tor files and creating a virus-infected community as she
was doing it. Now I have my computer back but the thing drags and
often freezes after clicking START. And some programs don't even open
at all. To top that, browser windows telling me to scan my hard drive
keep popping up. I've tried to clean up the hard drive but even some
programs won't uninstall. There are now over 200 programs installed on
the 250 gig hard drive. Before I left, I relocated the My-Documents
path to a folder located inside a WD 500 gig external drive. But that
incurred I/O errors last month though I was lucky enough to copy all
the data off before losing it completely. At this point I'm thinking
just to reformat the HD and start over with a new slate. Sort of a
self-inflicted crash (before the inevitable one anyway). What the
best way to go about this?

After backing up any data you wish to transfer to the new OS
installation, simply boot from the WinXP installation CD. You'll be
offered the opportunity to delete, create, and format partitions as part
of the installation process. (You may need to re-arrange the order of
boot devices in the PC's BIOS to boot from the CD.)

HOW TO Install Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;316941

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm

Then the backed up data can be restored and applications re-installed.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot