Reformat/Fresh install of XP?

[andrewbabcock]

In this thread at nbf, they clearly reccomend a reformat of hdd and fresh install of windows. After seeing that, I am sure i will do it, but i had never heard that before. What are the advantages, or disadvantages of doing that, if any, and what would be the best way to go about a reformat/install?

 

[mparr1708]

Originally posted by: andrewbabcock
In this thread at nbf, they clearly reccomend a reformat of hdd and fresh install of windows. After seeing that, I am sure i will do it, but i had never heard that before. What are the advantages, or disadvantages of doing that, if any, and what would be the best way to go about a reformat/install?

IMHO it is always a good idea to slick the drive when purchasing a new computer form an OEM. They tend to load all kinds of software that they think you will find useful. I'm sure some people like all that "extra" stuf but I do not. I toast the drive and load only what I need. A lot of the stuff they preload runs in memory and slows your PC down.

If you do not reload your computer you should uninstall the programs you do not use and update the factory installed drivers if any newer versions are out. Generally OEMs want the most stable drivers they can get. This is also all well and good but I want stable and best performing.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[andrewbabcock]

Has anyone figured out how to uninstall IE? I will be using opera or firefox for sure lol.

 

[KoolDrew]

Originally posted by: andrewbabcock
Has anyone figured out how to uninstall IE? I will be using opera or firefox for sure lol.

There is no reason at all to uninstall IE and since it is a part of Windows it could cause problems.

 

[andrewbabcock]

I have never reformated so whats the best way to do it? Also, should i just do a normal system restore to get to a fresh drive? Wouldn't that delete stuff DELL installed that might be critical like drivers you can't get online?