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How often do you reformat?

C

Crescent13

Diamond Member
I haven't reformatted since I built my comp 5-6 months ago, do you think it's time?


and how often do you reformat your drives?
 
If the system is running fine, why reformat? My old comp ran for over a year before I formatted it, and that was just because I was selling off the parts for a new build, not because it had any issues.
 
The only time I reformat is if I'm installing a new OS.

My current machine has never been reformatted since I first built it, in 2002.
 
Originally posted by: Cobolman
The only time I reformat is if I'm installing a new OS.

My current machine has never been reformatted since I first built it, in 2002.
Click to expand...

Ditto... my current install has been running smoothly for about 4 years too. I defrag from time to time, but other than that just keeping it free of spyware and viruses is enough to keep things running smoothly.

 
Only when I install a new motherboard,quite common for me to go 2-3 years without reformatting,especially with CCleaner and a few other good programs, keeps my XP in good shape.
 
umm, maybe once a year? if i feel it's time. i like to try different distros of Linux and other OS's. but i find that reformatting once in a year keeps the computer in good condition.
 
I avoid reformatting whenever possible. It's a last ditch repair method. Not a routing housekeeping job.
 
I haven't reformated in a couple of years but over the last week i've done it twice. first time to clean up my C: drive second to sort out a problem i couldn't fix 🙁
just hope i can get it all running smoothly again now 🙂
 
I don't reformat unless I try Linux or I screw something up majorly (or one of the drivers screws up my Windows install...Realtek + Creative != harmony). Haven't reformatted since December and probably going to keep this until I go to Purdue in August.
 
The last time I reformatted was about 8 months ago. I usually reformat when I've upgraded a huge amount of hardware or when Windows has become completely bogged down in spyware (usually that's my dad's PC, but it happened to me too the ONE time I connected to the Internet for 5 mins without having sp2 installed). I doubt I've ever gone more than about a year on an install of Windows, but you really don't need to reformat unless you're having major problems.
 
I haven't reformatted since I built this PC. Simply no reason...

If I have to reinstall Windows, that's one thing, but that does not require a reformat. Otherwise, just a once-a-month defrag is enough for me.
 
yeah, i'll second the "new os or motherboard" routine.

only other time is when my kids get it so corrupted, there's nothing else but a complete reformat
 
I clone my main boot drives and store all my important files on my slave and rack drives (on my 2 pcs}.

If my main should fail, I just pop in my clone and reclone my old drive(if useable). This takes about 15 min and I don't have to deal with bloat.

If I didn't, I quess once a year is in order/ That was the old way.
 
Only when I screw up something so bad I can't boot up, then I restore it with a back up. Get Acronis True Image. You'll be glad you did.
 
reformat 2-3 years minimum...

unless something really screwed up your system, i.e. viruses, lost .dll's or other files during uninstall making everything unstable.
 
I don't even routinely format my old 98SE systems, and XP seems much more forgiving. OTOH I do migrate to a larger drive from time to time, but I am ghosting or its ilk, not doing a new install. When you don't have restore CDs its something you get used to.
 
Rarely, only when i screw things up do i do a reinstall, too much hastle to find all my lisences again. I'm getting used to the ghost trick, but my current install is too messed up to warant it (did it anyway, but if all hell breaks loose then i'll probably just do a clean install and just pull the files off the cloned disc)
 
Hi, Don't rush to format, but if you do make sure you have the MB drivers and any other drivers you need like Video, Sound, Modem etc. Luck, Jim
 
It's stupid to think just because time has gone by, you need to reinstall Windows. If it's slow or you're experencing problems, spend some time and figure out how to fix your computer. You'll get much more out of it than simply reformatting.
 
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