Windows users... How often do you format and reinstall?

EpsiIon

Platinum Member
Nov 26, 2000
2,351
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I just bought a GeForce 6800 GT and a new power supply. It's been about a year and a half since I installed Windows XP, and I figured this upgrade is a good time to format and reinstall. How does this strike the rest of you? Do you think it's unnecessary or overdue?
 

AFB

Lifer
Jan 10, 2004
10,718
3
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Every 6-8 Months. Its getting about that time again, I'll have to doing during Thanksgiving
 

Thor86

Diamond Member
May 3, 2001
7,888
7
81
You shouldn't need to re-install an OS for changing video cards, and especially a power supply.

Just uninstall the current video card in your hardware manager before changing the card out. Then install the latest drivers for your hardware.
 

yezhou

Senior member
Sep 13, 2004
269
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I don't think its necessary unless you feel your system is chugging. Do what Thor86 said, just uninstall the previous driver from Add/Remove, and also get "Driver Cleaner" to make sure its completely clean, then install the new vid card and install the drivers for it, and you'll be set.
 

effee

Golden Member
Sep 4, 2004
1,797
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This Windows installation has lasted for 1 week 4 days so far :)

Operating System: (WinXP Professional 5.1 (Build #2600)) ¤ Installed: (XP was installed 1wk 4days 14hrs 51mins 23secs ago) ¤ Uptime: (4h 3m 40s)
 

Zugzwang152

Lifer
Oct 30, 2001
12,134
1
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i tend to not reformat unless i fubar something, because i hate redoing my windows customizations... i still have not learned my lesson and made a clean install + customizations image so i don't have to deal with it. my current setup was installed 8/28/04, 1:42AM.