who else hates re-formatting their rig?

FabienO · 1 Oct 2011 at 10:07

I like formatting. Sure it's not a fun process, but it's like a cleanse for my PC. I have a folder on my external called "Fresh Install". It contains all my core drivers, programs, pictures etc.

I also have an 128GB M4 SSD for OS/Games, a 1TB HDD for files etc. So formatting is pretty simple when I don't need to move the files.

neil_g · 1 Oct 2011 at 10:18

stuman said:
got a mac, didn't need to reformat in 7 years, just bought a new one a year ago, still as quick as the day i got her.

re-formatting was one of the reasons, along with defrag'ing and anti-virus/ms config and task manager watching. god i love maintenance free computing!!

You do know OSX can die over time? Some of our mac pros at work near enough grind to a halt after a while.

ZG002 · 1 Oct 2011 at 10:21

FabienO said:
I like formatting. Sure it's not a fun process, but it's like a cleanse for my PC. I have a folder on my external called "Fresh Install". It contains all my core drivers, programs, pictures etc.

I also have an 128GB M4 SSD for OS/Games, a 1TB HDD for files etc. So formatting is pretty simple when I don't need to move the files.

ideally that's what I want, only have 40gb SSD and 500gb hdd and am finding I'm running low. A lot of that is to do with steam games though I guess.

Nemesis379 · 1 Oct 2011 at 10:25

Transfering files off the old OS to the new one can be a pain in the arse.

ScoTTyBEEE · 1 Oct 2011 at 10:37

I reformat when I upgrade computers, reinstalling OS is quick, getting it back to how it was takes ages.

Aod · 1 Oct 2011 at 10:43

I don't mind at all.
For years now, all my data and programs are installed to separate drives, only things like Office and small programs are installed to the OS drive, because they'd need to be installed anyway.

When i reinstall, i simply reinstall programs/utilities that I'm missing as and when i remember that i need them.

mattyg · 1 Oct 2011 at 10:48

Am I missing something are some of you guys just making an Image of the drive as it is now. And then formatting and then copying that image back over.

Antar Bolaeisk · 1 Oct 2011 at 11:32

mattyg said:
Am I missing something are some of you guys just making an Image of the drive as it is now. And then formatting and then copying that image back over.

No, you make an image of the drive once you've installed and patched windows as well as whatever basic or important software you require. Basically you can revert back to a clean base install using an image such as that.

Going to have to do this shortly whenever I get my SSD but thankfully I'm fairly good at keeping my OS separate from everything else, my installed programs are on a different drive and my files are on a different drive again.

mattyg · 1 Oct 2011 at 12:15

I may make another thread on how to do this properly.

I always install programs to another drive but if I then reinstall windows how does windows find those programs.

But I get what your saying in that do a clean install then install all my programs,updates etc. Then make an image from a nice clean setup. That way i only really have to reinstall any programs that I've installed since the format.

The bit that scares me is losing the likes of my emails etc.

franco_22 · 1 Oct 2011 at 13:28

I love re-formatting, + I always install from USB drive and I have an SSD, so it never takes mroe then 10 minutes.

gothic_hobbit · 1 Oct 2011 at 14:40

In my experience, reformatting and re-installing XP from scratch always results in a more responsive system !

I assume this would apply to Windows 7 as well ?

bloodiedathame · 1 Oct 2011 at 14:44

Never had to.

/smug Mac owner.

Damien. · 1 Oct 2011 at 14:49

Reformatted just yesterday after installing my new 6970's.

Forgot to unplug my secondary drive and DBAN wiped them both.

Lost tonnes of music, steam game backups etc.

I was mad.

lsg1r · 1 Oct 2011 at 16:44

I hate the reinstall etc too, luckily I only do it every 6-12 months now with win 7 and a better approach to pc usage, used to do it roughly every 3 months with xp/vista as I was forever tinkering etc...

I've just done mine, after spending over a week backing up media files from a 1.5TB drive to dvd's.... I really should have done it sooner but I never wanted to lol.

It's taken me nearly 3 days to get the pc how I like it, updating all the programs I use, moving folder locations for users/programs and just the general bits and pieces I end up doing to make my pc run faster/smoother etc... really doesn't help when some of my programs take an hour or more to install...

An image file would be great for me but I only seem to reinstall when I do major updates etc....

Mr.Fantastic · 1 Oct 2011 at 16:51

Simple solution, backup all the program settings in appdata/program data then reinstall all the program you used before then recopy the stuff from appdata, Saved me from reconfiguring all the apps to the why i like them.

bobbarley · 1 Oct 2011 at 21:02

Aye, 15 years of periodic formatting does take it's toll

khemist · 1 Oct 2011 at 21:17

I hate it also and only do it when i really need to.

I didn't bother when i went from p45 to p55 and when i installed another brand p67 board to the one i had last week.... just installed the motherboard drivers again and it works great.

Fenris · 1 Oct 2011 at 21:20

I don't. In fact I quite enjoy it, I do it so rarely, twice in the last 2-3 years, that it's a nice opportunity to start from scratch.

Anyone who has to do it enough for it to seem like a chore has, or is doing something very, very wrong.

I do however hate people who call their computer their "rig".

ants83 · 1 Oct 2011 at 21:21

On ssd not reinstalled w7 for a year. Waiting for w8.

Limenote · 1 Oct 2011 at 21:55

I hate it, I use an ssd for windows and store all my documents on a separate mechanical, even without having to backup data I just hate the process of installing software and forgetting tweaks I may have made in the past for certain items to function correctly.