Wiping harddrive

[scoobysteve]

I've been told that if i make a back up disk to store all my programs on and then wipe my laptop memory and hard drive etc it'll run alot quicker. But I havnt a clue how to do it. can anyone help as the laptops gonna get a kicking if I keeps slowing up like it does.

[spec d]

Easier option could be defragmenting the disk to make files contigious which will reduce the read/write times. Also, run a registry cleaner to get rid of the crap thats been left around. Check what apps are loaded at startup and see if you can disable them if you don't use them that oftem. I wouldn't wipe you hard drive unless its the last resort. Also check how much virtual memory is available and how it is managed. As a rule it should be twice the amount of memory you have installed if your configuring it manually (so 512MB memory = 1024MB of virtual memory) or the easiest option is to let windows manage it itself so it will increase it if resources are getting low. Hope this helps.

[micared-prodrive]

hypno disc m8..............put it in once and ya laptop becomes a lapdance.............peace

[phill-type-r]

The best way really is to simply reinstall the Laptop from scratch as it will get rid of all the 'crap' thats on it and it will free up memory and drive space, but also will help it run faster :)

The only thing to note is that when you do this, things will be lost and without the correct software, you wont be able to get it back.

So backup your Documents, your favourites, you music, you videos and get that on DVD or CD as its important (if you have important things on your laptop) and then reinstall Windows.

You will need to make sure you have all of the drivers/CD's for the PC to install the hardware side of things.

Also if your feeling confident, partition the hard drive so that you can put documents on one part of the drive and on the other put Windows and programs etc.. If in doubt, Pm me or even give me a shout via MSN and I will help with the whole process :)

Oh, better make sure you have your windows serial key too :wink:

[Numpty]

One tip I'll give for a fresh re-install is to make doubly sure you have your antivirus installed before attempting to connect to the internet. I know someone who didn't do this and got a virus straight away and ended up doing the whole reformat from scratch a second time to get rid of it.

[phill-type-r]

I think the above is common sense, but to be honest I never had any anti virus software for over 18 months, maybe longer and I never had a single problem even when I did install some..

Must have got lucky but always have them installed :) But I dont go on dodgy sites, so I dont worry to much :)

[bob]

I got hit by a few viruses when installing windows. I only went to the windows update. updated the computer then installed the AV only to find I had been hit a few times...

[Viper]

But you do visit some dodgy sites Bob :lol:

[Broxi]

But you do visit some dodgy sites Bob :lol:


:hysterical:

[phill-type-r]

I must be the luckiest guy out there when it comes to virus's etc, because I dont get any!! (man thats so true in so many ways its not nice!! :lol:)

But if you install Windows, put the virus stuff on before you go as a rule. Its what I would suggest for a customer or do for a customer.. But what I do for myself is another matter :o

[scoobysteve]

Can you simplify this for me as in the wiping of the hard drive. So when it comes to the programs like the internet security I cant store them on a disk to put them back on?

[bob]

But you do visit some dodgy sites Bob :lol:

Select sites my good man...:wink:

[phill-type-r]

Can you simplify this for me as in the wiping of the hard drive. So when it comes to the programs like the internet security I cant store them on a disk to put them back on?

You will need to burn them to a CD or DVD mate, as I imagine your hard drive isnt partitioned so you wont be able to put anything on the hard drive, as it will get wiped :frown:

download and make sure you have the hardware drivers for the PC or laptop and then you can wipe the drive. Dont forget your documents and music or anything else you might have on the drive :smile:

[scoobysteve]

Select sites my good man...:wink:

:lol: :lol:

how would I go about wiping the hard drive once I've saved all my stuff? Can you do like a step by step thing for me on this as I dont want to bugger it up, like your teacing a complete idiot to do it.:innocent0009:

[phill-type-r]

That bit is the simplest bit of them all..

Put the Windows CD into the CD-Rom or DVD -Rom drive and when it comes up, boot from CD, press a key on the keyboard (whichever one you like, space, enter etc) and follow the on screen instructions :)

Now mate, the only thing I would like to know is, how big is the hard drive in the PC as if you partition it, you will be able to save things to the drive and keep them on CD or DVD for a backup. Its something I'd really consider doing as it will save you a lot of time in the future.. :)

[scoobysteve]

Ah I dont have a windows cd as it came with it all on. I mean the wiping of the hard drive bit, installing it all back on is easy enough.

[phill-type-r]

As I say the wiping of the hard drive is done just before you reinstall Windows, so as I said, thats the easy part..

But the bad thing is, you will need a Windows CD to install it tho...

[scoobysteve]

Ok, I'll get one from pc world then. Thanks phi.

[bob]

If getting a new windows operating system it might be wise to look at Vista..Seems this is the new windows of the future at the moment.

[phill-type-r]

Ok, I'll get one from pc world then. Thanks phi.

I wouldnt get one from PC World as they would probably charge you god knows what for, for it.. Try any of the online places first (I can list a few if you like??) and go from there..

Bob, Vista is a very immature OS at the moment and it really is heavy as hell on the memory. If you have 2Gb of ram now running XP for example, you'd better double it, to run Vista. Its very hungry on the memory and with the drivers for the hardware not being so great as its so new, I'd leave well alone to be honest mate...

[bob]

Some are saying this Phill others are saying its great. Vista seems to run fine on 1gb of ram or is on the computers I have tried it with. True its new and there will be bugs but every windows system has had these. You can still buy windows XP yes but bet no one is buying it anymore. Even the new computers that are coming out now have Vista on um.
You could buy XP now and in a few month upgrade to Vista but I thought it would save money by doing it right first time....:wink:

[phill-type-r]

I'd personally hang back and wait myself.. I dont like new software, same as brand new, up to date hardware because you never know how well things will work with drivers etc..

If possible, he could always keep the drive as is and when he really does need an reinstall, could either borrow a copy or just buy vista when it comes out with the service pack with it already installed :smile:

[bob]

I would expect the service pack out in a few months. Which is what I am waiting for...:wink: But if I did not have a windows disk and PC problems I would get Vista now.

[phill-type-r]

Thats the way mate :wink:

But I'm waiting even longer!! :lol:

[bob]

Expect you to get Vista when the next platform comes out...:hysterical: Come on Phill we all know you have tried it...Give us your opinion.:wink: Same as XP for me but looks much more pritty..:smile:

[phill-type-r]

I download the full trial 64bit and 32bit versions. Whilst I only tried the 64bit version (as I have 64bit CPU's!!) I did find it offered some slightly more interesting features but nothing that grabbed me and said, BUY ME!

With the tests that I run for benchmarking etc, I did find that the speeds where crippled and where a lot slower. Games wouldnt work (no support at the time) and there really wasnt all that much I could use it for.

But on the whole it seemed like it has potentshal and as I do hate mircosoft at the best of times, I think it will prove be a good platform, when and if they solve the speed problem and get rid of any bugs it has...

[bob]

Have to agree with that Phill...:wink: As I am not a games player I did not notice the speed drop, but sure microsoft will have to sort this soon, as I can see Games that will require Vista coming on the market soon.

[phill-type-r]

But before all that really kicks off mate, they are trying to push the button out for the directx 10 graphics cards, and I can say, they aint cheap!! :smile:

Personally if your PC works fine, dont do a thing to it but run anti virus and spyware and defrag occassionally...

[Numpty]

Ah I dont have a windows cd as it came with it all on. I mean the wiping of the hard drive bit, installing it all back on is easy enough.

Just had a thought, you might find your laptop/PC can be booted from a different partition or drive to reinstall windows. What manufacturer is it?

[scoobysteve]

Its a dell one.

[Numpty]

In that case you don't need a windows CD as you can use a built in restore utility on boot up. Check this link for a step-by-step guide:

http://support.euro.dell.com/support/topics/topic.aspx/emea/shared/support/dsn/en/tree?c=uk&l=en&s=gen&journalid=138182C4CF4111DB874FFD2DA0280176&treeid=FFA33DA99941FEDFE030030ABD62041A

Make sure you've backed up all essential data before restoring windows!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[scoobysteve]

Thanks numpty, having a look through it now.

[phill-type-r]

Did you manage to sort your problem out mate??

[scoobysteve]

Not yet phil, not had the chance to, getting all the installation cd's together. Had a look at the backup disc thing, shal I go with the full backup disc or is it best to select what goes on there? there wont be any dodgy programs that will go on if I go with the standard list will there?

[phill-type-r]

Basically mate, I only ever back up certain things.

Programs and games you cant really back up because they need to be installed (most of them do anyways) to work properly in Windows.
Some dont but, they are few and far between.

If I was you, I'd back up 'My Documents' folder, Favourites folder (this is for the internet mostly of places you go, like SWS or PC World or whatever) and also your address book of emails which would be in Outlook express (unless you use something else :wink:)

I dont think honestly, there is all that much left to back up, unless you have music or videos or anything like that, thats saved elsewhere.

If its on another partition on the drive, then it wont need to be formatted when you reinstall Windows. If its all 'one' partition, they back up any extra photo's, video's, MP3's etc.. Also make SURE you have a copy of all the driver installations (graphics card, sound card, network card etc) cos it would be a nightmare if you didnt and couldnt get online...

If there's anything I can help you with, please gimme a shout via MSN and I'll talk you through it :)

[scoobysteve]

Nice one phil, thanks. We got some friends coming down in a couple weeks and there IT technicians so they'll probably do it for us.

[huxley]

Send it my way if you want ive built pc's for the past 10 years or more :wink:

[phill-type-r]

Its pretty simple mate but if you get in any problems, dont hesitate to give us a shout on here :smile:

[scoobysteve]

Well thats the end of that discussion, the laptop at homes bit the dust, it starts and runs, but very slowly, as in takes a good hour to start up and makes a squeeling noise when the hard drives working.It even freezes when move the mouse. Having a new hard drive sent to us. Parents friends know all about it and there sorting one out for us. I'd say get a new better laptop but thats me.