[Poll] Win XP users: How often do you reinstall?

Gurck

Banned
Mar 16, 2004
12,963
1
0
Another thread had me wondering... I probably should every three months or so, but I'm lazy and I'd guess I average more like 5-6.

If you manage multiple PCs, answer for your main rig.
 

rbV5

Lifer
Dec 10, 2000
12,632
0
0
Never as a routine. I did a reinstall on my Kt133 rig to install a Standard PC HAL as I could never get it stable with ACPI HAL.
 

TSDible

Golden Member
Nov 4, 1999
1,697
0
76
Every 7-12 Months... I only picked that because I typically upgrade at least once a year...
 

ScrewFace

Banned
Sep 21, 2002
3,812
0
0
It's a good idea to reformat and reinstall Windows XP every year or so as XP slows down over time with all kinds of digital junk. Every 12 months is fine.:beer::)
 

bunker

Lifer
Apr 23, 2001
10,572
0
71
Only when something is really borked. Last time that happened was about 10 months ago.
 

Smilin

Diamond Member
Mar 4, 2002
7,357
0
0
Originally posted by: ScrewFace
It's a good idea to reformat and reinstall Windows XP every year or so as XP slows down over time with all kinds of digital junk. Every 12 months is fine.:beer::)

I have never had to reinstall since day one.

Your XP install should never slow down. Stop putting crap on it.
 

EeyoreX

Platinum Member
Oct 27, 2002
2,864
0
0
It's a good idea to reformat and reinstall Windows XP every year or so as XP slows down over time with all kinds of digital junk. Every 12 months is fine.:beer::)

I have never had to reinstall since day one.

Your XP install should never slow down. Stop putting crap on it.
What Smilin said. There should never be a case when XP "slows down" due to "normal wear and tear". XP is not 9x, stop behaving like it is, and yeah, stop installing one million and one pieces of crap software on it.

I did one reinstall of XP since I bought it, the day it was released. I did it due to a major hardware upgrade.

\Dan
 

Davegod

Platinum Member
Nov 26, 2001
2,874
0
76
XP aint windows 98. You dont need to reinstall unless you get a new mobo, break something, or maybe have a phobia about uninstalling and run out of hard drive space.
 

warcrow

Lifer
Jan 12, 2004
11,078
11
81
Originally posted by: EeyoreX
It's a good idea to reformat and reinstall Windows XP every year or so as XP slows down over time with all kinds of digital junk. Every 12 months is fine.:beer::)

I have never had to reinstall since day one.

Your XP install should never slow down. Stop putting crap on it.
What Smilin said. There should never be a case when XP "slows down" due to "normal wear and tear". XP is not 9x, stop behaving like it is, and yeah, stop installing one million and one pieces of crap software on it.

I did one reinstall of XP since I bought it, the day it was released. I did it due to a major hardware upgrade.

\Dan

Agreed. :beer:
 

konakona

Diamond Member
May 6, 2004
6,285
1
0
if anything, i keep my dvd backup of ghost image handy so reinstalling aint that much of a deal... :)
 

suklee

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
4,575
10
81
yup, i have a dvd ghost image of my system with all the common drivers & apps. think it's been almost 6 months since my last fresh install... might be time to start thinkin bout "re-ghosting" my rig.
 

sodcha0s

Golden Member
Jan 7, 2001
1,116
0
0
Only time I ever do it is when upgrading the motherboard. After a while it loads slower because of installed programs, but once it's all loaded it's no slower than day one of install. If it's running slower for you, you probably have some spyware or a virus on your system.
 

gotasnake

Member
Oct 22, 2003
71
0
0
I never do it as a routine, only for hardware, or if somehow the OS is damaged beyond repair. The last time I did it was to swap motherboards.
 

Abhoth

Senior member
Nov 13, 2002
345
0
76
I resisted WinXP initially... I was a Win98 dude! But finally had to keep up with the times.... and a smokin' deal on a copy of WinXP Pro forced my hand.

At first, I twitched it pretty hard and reinstalled a few times after completely hosing the OS. I tinker now and again ya know.

My last format and re-install was a couple of years ago... I have found XP to be rock solid and in no way similar to any Win OS of the past regarding the periodic reinstalls!
 

nageov3t

Lifer
Feb 18, 2004
42,808
83
91
I only re-install when I have to (changing the motherboard or having major OS-related issues).

I'd say I probably average about once a year. I used to upgrade my motherboard every 4-5 months, but I've cut back a lot.
 

Zugzwang152

Lifer
Oct 30, 2001
12,134
1
0
only if i bork something really bad... generally i like to do a clean install every 12-18 months even if everything is going smoothly though :)
 

Kappo

Platinum Member
Aug 18, 2000
2,381
0
0
lol the people who reinstall every few months for the hell of it crack me up. I havent had to start from scratch other than when I build a new PC. If you have a thing where your OCD kicks in you should consider making an image and saving yourself a crapload of time ;)