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

[rh71]

I ghost a basic image ... but I don't even like to do that anymore... reinstalling all my programs I've come to love just takes too long.

 

[Cheetah8799]

Last re-install was about 2 months ago. Before that it was about 4 or 5 months. Both were due to major hardware upgrades.

 

[Looney]

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:

That's only if you don't know how to clean your registry and defrag your drives. There's absolutely no reason why it should slow down. I've got several systems here, and the oldest is over 2 yrs without a format, and it runs as quickly as the others with newer installs of WinXP.

 

[shadowfaX]

only when something is b0rk3d or when i really have time on my hands (or for no real reason other than feeding my sadis-uh, never mind)... meaning <= once a year. my original install (which lasted for 1.5 years) was flawless until i wiped it out for no reason.

 

[SilentZero]

I reinstall windows about every 6-8 months or so. Its something I never look forward to doing.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Why do you people reinstall so often? It makes no sense, unless you upgrade major parts that often.

 

[Nothinman]

And even then it's usually not terribly difficult to work around a reinstall.

 

[SneakyStuff]

Ummmm never? Why does everyone say windows XP sucks? I've used it for 2 years with zero problems....

 

[EeyoreX]

Why do you people reinstall so often? It makes no sense, unless you upgrade major parts that often.

Yeah. I don't get it either. Perhaps this is how all "geeks" aquiire that stereotypical "geek" image? Spending hours every 2 months installing an OS and all your apps instead of doing things with real people?

Just a theory of mine.

\Dan

 

[Looney]

Originally posted by: SilentZero
I reinstall windows about every 6-8 months or so. Its something I never look forward to doing.

If you use a proper uninstalling program to uninstall programs, keep your registry clean (do a google search for registry cleaners, some good free ones out there), and run spyware remover regularly (spybot, adaware, etc), defrag your drives when they're badly fragmented, and you really shouldn't need to reinstall windows.

 

[dukdukgoos]

When I change motherboards. I might reinstall when sp2 comes out, as i prefer to install service packs as slipstreams.

 

[blazer78]

every 2 years or so...

 

[GrumpyMan]

Haven't re-installed since I built this computer a couple of years ago. People who constantly re-install OS's strike me as not very computer savy or have nothing better to do. This is with WinXP Pro though. Of course I always maintain a backup image just in case some driver screws everything up and I don't feel like going through the registry and what not to clean it up. But I'm careful about driver upgrades and updates. I read reviews on them before I install anything.

 

[Gurck]

Even if you don't feel it slows down with time, various things happen... For example, my power went out for just a fraction of a second, long enough to reboot my machine, a few months back. After that, my printer would spit out gibberish whenever I tried to print anything. I googled around for it, and it's a common problem, however the various fixes didn't work for me. ATI's drivers have improved, but it used to be a good idea to reinstall any time you changed them, and updates are generally at most a few months apart. There are plenty of other good reasons. Simply put, M$ doesn't have to polish the product for lack of competition, and so little stuff like the printer bug proliferates, and it catches up to you sooner or later, usually sooner... I get the idea that people who don't see it as a problem don't use their computer as much as those who do see it as a problem. My pc was on 24/7 for years, and I use it a lot. I'm bound to have a different experience than someone who turns it on twice a week to check their email.

 

[EeyoreX]

I get the idea that people who don't see it as a problem don't use their computer as much as those who do see it as a problem. My pc was on 24/7 for years, and I use it a lot. I'm bound to have a different experience than someone who turns it on twice a week to check their email.

I don't see these things as problems because I don't have the problems you seem to have. Both of my computers run 24/7, have for years. I don't even reboot unless an update or software install requires it. I use my home computer regularly, though the other is a file and print server so doesn't see so much actual use. My other computer, however, is used on nearly a daily basis, both for work and for play. There was a thread about how often people reboot their computers a few months ago. From what I recall, the overwhelming majority left their computers running 24/7 as well.

\Dan

 

[Gurck]

My system's much faster after a reboot. Far Cry is a good benchmark for it, as even after a fresh reboot I get lowish framerates at the settings I use (IQ > framerate for me, so long as it's playable). If I haven't rebooted in a while and start it up, it's too choppy.

 

[high]

usually once a month

just feels snappier

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: EeyoreX

Why do you people reinstall so often? It makes no sense, unless you upgrade major parts that often.

Yeah. I don't get it either. Perhaps this is how all "geeks" aquiire that stereotypical "geek" image? Spending hours every 2 months installing an OS and all your apps instead of doing things with real people?

Just a theory of mine.

\Dan

I've been doing that recently, but I've been on a spending spree.

 

[Gurck]

Lol, speak of the devil.. No sooner do I make this post than I start getting this bug again where my printer is spewing out gibberish, thanks M$! Planning on a new hard drive soon anyway, so will have a reinstall coming up.