Is formatting worth it, or will deleting the windows directory all you really need?

[LordJezo]

I know not everything will work once you delete the directory, but at least that way I wont lose things in case I forget to back it up..

Will just deleting Windows and doing a fresh install all you really need?

 

[Lord Evermore]

It'll work, but it'll still be dirty and you end up with all the old apps and files hanging around.

If you're using XP, just do a Repair on the existing partition if you're just trying to wipe out bad drivers and cruft.

 

[LordJezo]

Originally posted by: Lord Evermore
It'll work, but it'll still be dirty and you end up with all the old apps and files hanging around.

If you're using XP, just do a Repair on the existing partition if you're just trying to wipe out bad drivers and cruft.

I have seen the repair option but I never understood it.

What does it do?

 

[Lord Evermore]

Check out the several other threads regarding reinstalling or fixing XP.

 

Ha, I've fresh-installed WinXP so many times that I've got it down to a science. 42 minutes from beginning to end, including installing most of my crucial apps.

Just reformat - it feels good.

 

[RamshackleMan]

I have an 8 GB HD as my C drive, a 80 GB as my D. Win XP on the C and everything else on the D. When I get into trouble I simply reformat the C drive and never lose data.

 

[TheCorm]

Originally posted by: LordJezo

Originally posted by: Lord Evermore
It'll work, but it'll still be dirty and you end up with all the old apps and files hanging around.

If you're using XP, just do a Repair on the existing partition if you're just trying to wipe out bad drivers and cruft.

I have seen the repair option but I never understood it.

What does it do?

Supposedly it does what it says....repairs....but I have found that on 3 occasions, it deletes all network connections and won't allow the setup of a new dial up or dial up adsl connection....it's all greyed out!

Jamie