Reformatting my hard drive

[FrankSG]

I have Windows XP home addition. It came pre-installed on my computer. I bought the computer before they had SP1--so it's been a while ago. I have the disks so that will set my computer back to the original factor settings that I can use. The reason I want to do this is because I've had it so long and it's starting to slow down a bit. I think it needs a "spring cleaning". If I do this I will, of course, have a lot of upgrading to do. I have a DSL connection so it doesn't take too long to download the updates I will need. My question is this: Since there will be a lot of updating to do, how much of a job will that be? If after I get it back to the factory settings, do I just go to "Windows Update"? Will that list everything that I need? I have an external hard drive where I backup all of my important stuff; data files, etc.

[jlreich]

I would download SP2 and put it on a thumbdrive or CD or whatever. That's going to be the biggest thing to start with and will speed things up a lot at windows update and necessary for security before you go online.

Also don't forget to have your AV and FW handy to install before you go online.

Once those are installed get online and update your AV and then go get the rest of the windows updates.

And yes it will be a job. And I understand, I am in need of doing this myself but haven't gotten around to doing it yet. It's been over two years since my last fresh install and it's time. I have so many programs to reinstall it isn't funny. Windows updates are the least of my worries. :(

My mother in law and sister in law both have machines that are going on 5 or 6 years. I really need to reinstall windows on their machines as well. But I have been so busy lately I have had to turn away customers. I will get to all this after the first of the year I hope. :rolleyes:

[FrankSG]

I have so many programs to reinstall it isn't funny. Windows updates are the least of my worries. :(


That's going to be my most of my work, too. I've made a lot of changes and installed a lot of stuff, etc. Anyway, I finished downloading SP2 a few minutes ago to a CD. I also copied it to my external drive in case I can't get my CD drive working right away. So, within the next couple of weeks when I don't have much to do, I'm going to tell my wife to pretend that I'm not here :) and then go for it. Thanks for your feedback.

[Fruss Tray Ted]

Anyway, I finished downloading SP2 a few minutes ago to a CD

Just like me the last time, you're just in time, but a day late and a dollar short, for the next critical update which now is SP-3.

This SP-3 for XP update itself is up to more scrutiny than usual. Heck, I went through this with IE 5.5 and IE 6,, "Those were the days my friend"... ;)

[FrankSG]

I did it. I'm back to the original factory settings. When I was installing SP 2, I got a message that poped up saying I had a problem with a corrupt registry and to contact www.registrycleanerxp.com immediately. I did that which brought me to a web site where I could download a registry cleaner. It scanned my registry and said there were some problems that it could fix if I purchaced the cleaner. Is somebody trying to pull one over on me or what? I didn't do it, but everything is working fine in spite of the "corrupt" registry.
Has anyone run into this or know anything about it?

[Paul Komski]

I wouln't go with the suggestion. It looks like a nuisance application - however it got there in the first place.

Perhaps you just need to turn off the Messenger Service ??

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071025031351AALFW4m
http://www.microsoft.com.nsatc.net/communities/newsgroups/en-us/default.aspx?dg=microsoft.public.windowsxp.newuser s&tid=cc59aa10-1a38-4b8b-83c2-1cb3c56833a9&p=1

[Fruss Tray Ted]

Just where does your copy of SP-2 come from? :eek:

Need I say more?

[FrankSG]

Just where does your copy of SP-2 come from? :eek:

Need I say more?

I went to Download.com and downloaded it from there. I think it came from Microsoft, but I could be mistaken on that. Maybe I just assumed it came from them but came from somewhere else. Anyway, everything is working OK right now.