Bad Comp Performance and Reformat question!

[Tryppr]

For some reason I have been getting bad cpu performance in almost all my games, slow boot up times, and slow loading times. It might be because the guy that installed my new hardware did not REFORMAT when I told him to do so. Reason he might not of is because my copy of Windows Xp came with my old computer and we were going to use the HARDDRIVE and PROCESSOR so I guess he did not know what to do besides buying a new Windows Xp disc. So what I was thinking about doing is buying a new Windows XP disc and reformat. I'm pretty sure this has been asked but I wanted to ask anyways what should I install first or how should I go about installing my software etc.

Thanks for the help !

Specs:
Athlon Xp 2600+
PC 2100 512
Pny Verto 5900 NU
120 GB HD

 

[vansouza]

I think a clean install when you change significant items like a CPU is mandatory. Just get all of your disks in order and backup what you can not afford to loose. Good luck.

 

[mrweirdo]

yes you need to do a clean install expecialy with 2k or newer. I'm suprized you didnt get a nice big BSOD or Blue Screen of Death when you first fired up that system after installing all the new hardware. XP normaly does this when you change major hardware components out

 

[EeyoreX]

It is in no way mandatory or required that you reinstall Windows after an upgrade, even as significant as a motherboard and/or CPU. I recommend it, as do many others, but it is not needed. In fact, there are many threads on the board telling you how to go about continuing to use your current Windows install after a major upgrade. However, at this point, I would probably reinstall, as the method for keeping your current install was probably used (repair install of the OS). While this often works in many cases, sometimes it doesn't, and it just makes sense to reinstall from scratch.

\Dan

 

[Matthias99]

What he said. I installed a new motherboard (along with much other hardware) recently using a Repair Installation in WinXP. Works great.

Also, you shouldn't need a new copy of WinXP unless you don't have the license key for yours (you *did* stick that little sticker with the license key on your case so you wouldn't lose it, right? right?)

 

[Tryppr]

Thanks for the info so far I do plan on reformatting soon.

About that sticker, I still have the license number on the back of my old computer, but I was only given reformat discs not Windows Xp discs. I doubt this would work using an old reformat discs that probably are no longer compatible with my computer. I also remember asking on here about it and the majority of the people said I would need a new Windows Xp disc to reformat.

Thanks for the help!

Edit: Also this may seem like two easy questions so don't jump all over me . But, after I reformat will I need to reconfigure my new motherboard? And just making sure, I also need to install the driver disc? Sorry I just want to make sure of everything

 

[rcomo]

Those disks you got should be full versions of XP. I am pretty sure you would be wasting your money, a recovery disk from a computer manufacturer usually has the full version of the OS that you purchased from them.

 

[Tryppr]

So you do think I could reformat with the Recovery discs I got with no problems? This is reallly worrying me

 

[sandorski]

Make sure the Chipset drivers are installed.

 

[Tryppr]

Sorry I planned on reformatting in about 15 mins and just wanted to make sure that it's ok to use my Old recovery discs from my old computer. Remember I updated my mobo, and vc since my old comp. Thanks for all the help so far

 

[Tryppr]

EDIT:: Sorry double post

 

[screw3d]

I just popped in a new mobo not long ago and was surprised that it didn't hose my my WinXP installation Everything was working as before but I gave it a clean reinstall later anyway

 

[Thegonagle]

Pop in that recovery CD and make sure you have a directory called i386 on there and that it's not just an image on your recovery disc.