Reformatting C Drive

[Sarah]

Last week I debugged, FDISK, format C: smartdrv.exe, and installed Win xp
home, mine.

I have no clue what I did incorrectly, but need to do it again. too many
glitches. icq flower disapeared from task bar. msn messenger6 won't
connect, it did a few times, but I have to retry retry retry. windows
messenger is the same. Getting many illegals and program must close on IE
mostly.
My question is, after all security updates (windows updates), would you put
security in next, and THEN programs? and let security allow each one as it
is installed?

Sarah

 

[Larry(LJL269)]

I am just installing last major app on dual-boot XP PC
I bought last NOV. From experience, I do 2 things:

1- install at most 2 apps/day & let each run for at
least a day.

2- after 4-5 installs & b4 every WUpdate I image C and
any others I have apps on.

3-Order was dictated by necessity- WUpdates, AV, ZA,
PM, DI were 1st while graphics apps, games, HTML
editors were last.

I once installed ME & 4 apps 7 times- NEVER AGAIN!!

Comments/suggestions/corrections appreciated.
HTH - Larry



On Sun, 05 Oct 2003 13:26:25 GMT, "Sarah"

|Last week I debugged, FDISK, format C: smartdrv.exe, and installed Win xp
|home, mine.
|
|I have no clue what I did incorrectly, but need to do it again. too many
|glitches. icq flower disapeared from task bar. msn messenger6 won't
|connect, it did a few times, but I have to retry retry retry. windows
|messenger is the same. Getting many illegals and program must close on IE
|mostly.
|My question is, after all security updates (windows updates), would you put
|security in next, and THEN programs? and let security allow each one as it
|is installed?
|
|Sarah
|


Any advice given is my attempt to show appreciation for all
the excellent help I've received here but I'm no MVP so it
may only apply NUGS. Personal attacks, nitpicking & criticism
of anything but content will NOT be responded to. Those
posters should spend their time taking the test @
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/ocdtrt1.htm

 

[Crusty \(-: Old B@stard :-\)]

Install the O.S. Then install SP1 (which you have previously downloaded and
saved to a CD).

With all the problems going around today, you should not even try to go
on-line prior to installing a good firewall and antivirus protection. Then
go on-line and update your antivirus signature files. Then, get all your
windows updates.

 

[Alex Nichol]

I have no clue what I did incorrectly, but need to do it again. too many
glitches. icq flower disapeared from task bar. msn messenger6 won't
connect, it did a few times, but I have to retry retry retry. windows
messenger is the same. Getting many illegals and program must close on IE
mostly.
My question is, after all security updates (windows updates), would youput
security in next, and THEN programs? and let security allow each one asit
is installed?

Do the formatting as part of the installation after booting the XP CD
direct. Enter Setup, and after the license agreement take New Install.
When it asks you to confirm where, hit ESC; select and delete the
current partition and make a new RAW one to be formatted at the next
stage

Then in order:

Set up your internet connection. If it is a Dial Up one there will be a
chance to enable the firewall on the way; but check in Network
Connections, r-click the connection - Properties - Advanced page and
ensure it is checked.

You can then go on-line and get essential updates. I would go to these
pages and get them first,

http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb;en-us;824146#WinXP
(get the one for Windows XP All versions)
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/downloads/critical/828750/download.asp
(if your XP includes SP1 get the 'IE6 with SP1' version; if it doesn't
get the IE6 in Windows XP one)

You can then get any other windows updates as needed. If you do not
have SP1 that should come after these, which are the essential ones for
security, then Q817287, which stops difficulties in getting others, then
such others as you need.

I would do the others through Windows Update, and be critical. Unless
your machine is a Server or on a company net, there is no real need for
the ones that refer explicitly to attacks on Servers; or which say 'an
attacker would need to be able to connect [or have access] which are
ones that handle disaffected employees trying to promote themselves from
Limited to full access

I would do program installs after SP1 and 817287, and before getting
round to the lesser updates, and do them two or three at a time and let
things bed down.

I would also at that stage go to Control Panel - System - System Restore
and reduce the space allowed in any Drive (highlight it and click
Settings) to say 1GB at most on any drive (and I find 500MB enough).
Having that too big can it seems cause it indigestion. So can having
too much space for Temp Internet FIles (at Control Panel, Internet
Options, click Settings - 50 MB should be plenty)