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Need a list of essentials before i reformat

M

mdchesne

Banned
Thinking of doing a clean sweep of my windows HDD and do a complete revamp, starting from scratch.

So I need a list of essential progams... to get on hard copy. Freeware, shareware, stuff I need to buy, etc. I have everything I need now, and much much more, so if we can narrow it down to the basics and a little beyond, beautiful.
I made a basic list so far:

MS Office
AntiVir
Adobe Acrobat
Adobe reader
.
.
.

>>General idea here is to have all the programs on hard copies so I don't have to connet to the net until everything is set up and firewalled<<
 
I'd recommend putting all of your backup files and applications on a separate partition, drive, or network drive. This make the reinstallation process a whole lot easier when you need to format c:

[*]I make a 10GB c: partition for the OS on my main HDD
[*]The rest of the drive is d: and all programs will be installed on this partition
[*]I have a 2nd HDD for backups only that is e:
[*]I also copy important data to a network drive on another computer

Install your mainboard chipset drivers first, then your NIC so you can hop on the net. You should pick up a cheap NAT firewall (Linksys, D-Link, etc.) and enable the windows XP firewall (if you use XP). Otherwise you could always install Kerio if you elect to use a software firewall.

Check the sticky at the top of this forum for free apps.
 
I'll do that in this fresh install. just trying to get rid of the loads of crap I've downloaded over the years. I consider it like engine buildup. You can't get it all with a simple cleaning, but you can make sure it's all clean and ready with a new engine block 🙂

progs so far
the non-foldered files are still downloading. demos of games mainly.
 
the only thing you get need after reformatting (assuming you're slipping in sp2 w/ all the patches) is antivirus. Then from there firefox -> t*
 
ok, about SP2... how can I "slip" that in before connecting to the net? I want all those known flaws patched or walled up before i even connect. (mistake I made last time i reformated). only way I knwo to get SP2 (3 now, windows update) is to connect. 😕
 
Partion your drive.
Grab a drive imaging program!

That way you can do a clean install and get all your software installed and make an image of it.
(i leave out my video drivers for my initial "clean install image, that way i always have a clean slate to try new video drivers)

That way a "clean install" is always just a 5min restore or so away!

 
Originally posted by: MTDEW
Partion your drive.
Grab a drive imaging program!

That way you can do a clean install and get all your software installed and make an image of it.
(i leave out my video drivers for my initial "clean install image, that way i always have a clean slate to try new video drivers)

That way a "clean install" is always just a 5min restore or so away!
Click to expand...

What drive imaging software do you use?
 
Actually i use two different ones.
I'm still using PowerQuest Drive image 2002, because its always been reliable and still works well for all my pcs using WinXp. (and i have 3 home pc's at the moment)

And ihave image backups of my pc's with Acronis True image also.

Since PowerQuest Drive image has now been swallowed mby Ghost, i'd suggest Acronis True image.

These programs are INVALUABLE IMO.

On my "backup" pc i download and surf online with daily, i restore my "clean image" once a week to keep the pc running clean of spyware, adware etc..etc...


I make a 20gb partion for windows and the rest for my apps, games and backup files.

Takes less than 5 mins to restore my pc's to a fresh clean install of windows. 😉

 
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