Time to Reformat
If you’re a typical Windows user, you’ve probably had to reformat & reinstall a few times. It’s been over 2 years since I last reformatted. Surprisingly, my computer is still stable. It has made it through several versions of just about every piece of software I use, including Windows itself. I’ve gone through SP1 and SP2. Microsoft Office XP to 2003. Dreamweaver 4 to MX. Adobe Acrobat 5 to 7. Firefox didn’t even exist back then… Not to mention the hardware changes.
I’ve been fortunate enough to avoid any spyware or viruses but things have still gotten a little sluggish. I install/uninstall way too much software. My registry probably looks like a war-zone at this point.
Normally I have a new computer after about 2 years. My personal rule is to double everything for well under a certain price point. Double the processor speed, double the RAM, double the hard disk space, and so on. Started with a 48Mhz 486. Moved to a 133Mhz Pentium, then 266Mhz PII, then 500Mhz PIII, 1.4Ghz P4, and my current 2.8Ghz P4. The cycle usually would take 1-2 years. This time, I don’t see a need just yet for a faster CPU, or more hard disk space. This does make my task a bit more difficult though. Typically, I would setup the new machine, make sure everything works, and then reformat the old one. I don’t have that luxury this time.
First task: document all the software I regularly use, and make sure I have install CDs, licenses, etc.
Next up: backup. I store all my data on a separate hard drive from Windows & applications, so I don’t need to back that up. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple when it comes to backing up various configurations and settings of various applications. This is probably the reason I don’t reformat often. Not all programs play nice when it comes to storing settings. Some have configuration files in “documents and settings”, some store them along side the application itself, while others cram stuff in the registry. Plus there’s always that obscure program you forget to backup. For example, I spent quite a bit of time flying around the world (on Google Earth of course) mapping out all the places I’ve been skiing, all the airports I’ve been to, where all my family members live, etc. If I didn’t back that up, it would be completely lost. I suppose I could copy my entire C:/ drive, just to be safe. It’s only 33GB of data.
Once all the settings and config files are backed up, I’ll backup my licenses and certificates. Some of these crazy DRM-protected files simply wont work if you don’t backup your licenses. It’s easier to do that then to call customer support to de-authorize your old computer, etc. I suppose I could live without them since the first thing I do when I buy music is remove the DRM.
Once I’m confident everything is backed up, I think it safe to reformat. Before I do, I’ll make sure I have a working copy of Windows XP. I use a slipstreamed version so that I have all the latest updates pre-installed. Slipstreaming allows you to update the Windows XP installation so that you already have SP2, for example. Paul Thurrott has a nice guide for creating your own slipstreamed XP. There’s also a great resource for creating an unattended install at http://unattended.msfn.org/.
Reformat. Then install, patch, update… repeat. I’ll see you on the other side.
I’m interested to know who else goes through all this? Leo Laporte claims he reformats regularly. I know Jerry does as often as a few times a month. Is it just us geeks or do normal people perform this ritual? Unfortunately, I think the answer is they don’t. Instead, they go out and buy a new computer out of frustration. Either that or they avoid it by using an Apple or Linux.
July 16th, 2005 at 9:28 am
Just to be clear on this, my recent reformatting jugernaut was to start with a known working system, load added software until I noticed a problem. This way I could isolate what sotware was causing my problem.
Recently, I noticed that IE’s fonts would be ‘normal’ and suddenly switch ti small. Very irritating, since I could not get them to normal and ’stay’ after a reboot. Through my reformatting, I learned it was Eudora which was the culprit. After a discussion with support, I learned my troubles could be solved with a simple adjustment in settings that differ from the default values.
Other that scenarios like the above, I typically reformat once a year, on average to clean out the registry from all the cruff that accumulates after multiple installs and uninstalls of trial stuff.