Is wipe and reinstall the ultimate solution.

Beest · 06-05-2009, 03:36 PM

The laptop monster uses got to having a horrendous startup time after a bout 2 years, so I wiped it and reinstalled everything (at least I belive I did, I reinstalled from the ghost image on the recovery partition). Now a only acouple of months later it is worse than ever.

Is there stuff that could have survived a simple reinstall like this, or has it really aggregated crap so fast?

dar512 · 06-05-2009, 03:41 PM

What did you use to make the ghost, Beest? In general ghosting preserves everything from the original so you may have preserved the viruses etc. with the rest.

If you really want to do a clean install, preserve only the datafiles - word documents etc. Format the disk and install from the original cds.

BrianR · 06-05-2009, 04:43 PM

and then do the attendant 10,000 updates. In order.

Flint · 06-05-2009, 05:30 PM

Yes, rebuilding the PC is easier than trying to fix 1,000 problems. In a business, you'd have a standard image for your PCs, and if one of 'em gives you heck, re-image the ƒucker. Problem solved. Assuming you have a clean image, as mentioned above. The problem could be burrowed pretty deep in something you have backed up. As stated, backup your unique files, load the raw OS and chew through the updates. HAVE YOUR ANTIVUIRUS AND FIREWALL INSTALL EXECUTABLE ETC. ON A FLASH DRIVE. That way you can get the PC protected before you put it on the internet. Then go directly to microsoft update and don't do anything else until it is updated. Reboot alot. Reboot a few more times to let windows decide whether it doesn't want any more updates. I do this every few years.

tw · 06-05-2009, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beest

Is there stuff that could have survived a simple reinstall like this, or has it really aggregated crap so fast?

Either "nuke 'n pave" it. Or cure the existing problem.

Malware can even hide in flash or USB drives. Restoring software from anything but the original program CDs may even restore the malware.

Meantime, a system is exposed until the long list of updates are downloaded and installed. This is not a significant threat, but another one.

Bottom line - yes. But most are not a significant threat. Better is to first identify why you have a problem – since it is almost as likely not due to malware. This is why only the better computer manufacturers provide comprehensive hardware diagnostics.

busterb · 06-05-2009, 08:06 PM

Go HERE to get all the updates and burn to cd or dvd. Thanks m park

mbpark · 06-05-2009, 08:26 PM

Heya,

Wiping and reinstalling is only good if you low-level format the hard drive. If you reinstall on top of a partition that you didn't wipe, there will be problems.

In addition, wiping and reinstalling doesn't fix other problems which manifest themselves, such as hard drive issues, bad RAM, or other bad hardware. It's best to test the RAM on the machine, run a few hard drive benchmarks, and also some diagnostics if available.

The other problem with reinstalling is that you're going to have the bad vendor OEM drivers from when the machine was shipped unless you DL them on their own. Dell, I'm looking at you (they like to ship an older, buggy version of the Intel chipset drivers that causes Vista 64-bit to run like crap).

If you do this, make sure your BIOS and RAM are up to date, and that you've low-level formatted the partition and checked the hard drive. Get the latest drivers from the vendor web site, and make sure you install a known good AntiVirus first with the latest definitions before you copy your old stuff over. If you don't do that, you're going to have issues. Wiping and reinstalling, and reinstalling the old crap back on means more problems. You also have to check for hardware problems first, that may be the issue.

Perry Winkle · 06-07-2009, 12:41 AM

*cough* Ubuntu *cough* Easy to install and use. *buuuurrrrrp*

(My girlfriend's 70-something year old father likes it, and he's got Old Glory Robot Insurance)

mbpark · 06-07-2009, 08:07 AM

I have Ubuntu. I dual-boot my work laptop (Dell Latitude e6400) with that and Windows XP. It is easy to use, don't get me wrong, but WINE is not all that it is cracked up to be, and let's be honest here, many web sites still cater to IE and Windows.

Additionally, I run an Ubuntu machine as a test machine at work running IE 5, 5.5, and 6.0 so that I can load a newer version of IE on the XP machines that our web developers test with.

I also put together a computer lab at a summer camp running Ubuntu. It works quite well for Facebook, YouTube, and Flash.

However, there is still a long way to go to have it work with what most people need. Unfortunately, most Windows users have programs or the equivalent that will not work in WINE/Linux, and they're not going to change unless there's a really good reason.

Perry Winkle · 06-07-2009, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbpark

However, there is still a long way to go to have it work with what most people need. Unfortunately, most Windows users have programs or the equivalent that will not work in WINE/Linux, and they're not going to change unless there's a really good reason.

Still, for the huge percentage of people that simply use a computer for websurfing, flash games, email, basic photo touch-ups and a little word-processing it more than covers the bases.

Honestly, I keep a Windows VM around to do my taxes because I just haven't been able to find a suitable replacement for TurboTax.

Clodfobble · 06-07-2009, 11:30 AM

But... all the popular tax software runs entirely online now, Perry. Why bother actually installing the program at all?

Perry Winkle · 06-07-2009, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

But... all the popular tax software runs entirely online now, Perry. Why bother actually installing the program at all?

I didn't realize that. Just checked out the TurboTax online interface. Thanks for the pointer.

*shuffles Windows VM to the trash*

Clodfobble · 06-07-2009, 12:48 PM

For what it's worth, if your taxes are complex enough to require a schedule C, H&R Block is way cheaper than TurboTax. But if your taxes are pretty basic then they're all the same.

xoxoxoBruce · 06-07-2009, 03:02 PM

You do realize that all the information you enter in online tax services is retained by them and is their legal property, right?

Clodfobble · 06-07-2009, 03:26 PM

I figure it's already the government's information, and I'm more scared of the government doing something wrong with it than I am H&R Block...

06-05-2009, 03:36 PM	#1
Beest Adapt and Survive Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ann Arbor, Mi Posts: 957	Is wipe and reinstall the ultimate solution. The laptop monster uses got to having a horrendous startup time after a bout 2 years, so I wiped it and reinstalled everything (at least I belive I did, I reinstalled from the ghost image on the recovery partition). Now a only acouple of months later it is worse than ever. Is there stuff that could have survived a simple reinstall like this, or has it really aggregated crap so fast?

06-05-2009, 03:41 PM	#2
dar512 dar512 is now Pete Zicato Join Date: May 2003 Location: Chicago suburb Posts: 4,968	What did you use to make the ghost, Beest? In general ghosting preserves everything from the original so you may have preserved the viruses etc. with the rest. If you really want to do a clean install, preserve only the datafiles - word documents etc. Format the disk and install from the original cds. __________________ "Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain." -- Friedrich Schiller

06-05-2009, 04:43 PM	#3
BrianR Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,338	and then do the attendant 10,000 updates. In order. __________________ Never be afraid to tell the world who you are. -- Anonymous

06-05-2009, 05:30 PM	#4
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	Yes, rebuilding the PC is easier than trying to fix 1,000 problems. In a business, you'd have a standard image for your PCs, and if one of 'em gives you heck, re-image the ƒucker. Problem solved. Assuming you have a clean image, as mentioned above. The problem could be burrowed pretty deep in something you have backed up. As stated, backup your unique files, load the raw OS and chew through the updates. HAVE YOUR ANTIVUIRUS AND FIREWALL INSTALL EXECUTABLE ETC. ON A FLASH DRIVE. That way you can get the PC protected before you put it on the internet. Then go directly to microsoft update and don't do anything else until it is updated. Reboot alot. Reboot a few more times to let windows decide whether it doesn't want any more updates. I do this every few years. __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

06-05-2009, 08:06 PM	#6
busterb NSABFD Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: MS. usa Posts: 3,908	Go HERE to get all the updates and burn to cd or dvd. Thanks m park __________________ I've haven't left very deep footprints in the sands of time. But, boy I've left a bunch.

06-05-2009, 08:26 PM	#7
mbpark Lecturer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Carmel, Indiana Posts: 761	Heya, Wiping and reinstalling is only good if you low-level format the hard drive. If you reinstall on top of a partition that you didn't wipe, there will be problems. In addition, wiping and reinstalling doesn't fix other problems which manifest themselves, such as hard drive issues, bad RAM, or other bad hardware. It's best to test the RAM on the machine, run a few hard drive benchmarks, and also some diagnostics if available. The other problem with reinstalling is that you're going to have the bad vendor OEM drivers from when the machine was shipped unless you DL them on their own. Dell, I'm looking at you (they like to ship an older, buggy version of the Intel chipset drivers that causes Vista 64-bit to run like crap). If you do this, make sure your BIOS and RAM are up to date, and that you've low-level formatted the partition and checked the hard drive. Get the latest drivers from the vendor web site, and make sure you install a known good AntiVirus first with the latest definitions before you copy your old stuff over. If you don't do that, you're going to have issues. Wiping and reinstalling, and reinstalling the old crap back on means more problems. You also have to check for hardware problems first, that may be the issue.

06-07-2009, 12:41 AM	#8
Perry Winkle Esnohplad Semaj Ton Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: A little south of sanity Posts: 2,259	cough Ubuntu cough Easy to install and use. buuuurrrrrp (My girlfriend's 70-something year old father likes it, and he's got Old Glory Robot Insurance)

06-07-2009, 08:07 AM	#9
mbpark Lecturer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Carmel, Indiana Posts: 761	I have Ubuntu. I dual-boot my work laptop (Dell Latitude e6400) with that and Windows XP. It is easy to use, don't get me wrong, but WINE is not all that it is cracked up to be, and let's be honest here, many web sites still cater to IE and Windows. Additionally, I run an Ubuntu machine as a test machine at work running IE 5, 5.5, and 6.0 so that I can load a newer version of IE on the XP machines that our web developers test with. I also put together a computer lab at a summer camp running Ubuntu. It works quite well for Facebook, YouTube, and Flash. However, there is still a long way to go to have it work with what most people need. Unfortunately, most Windows users have programs or the equivalent that will not work in WINE/Linux, and they're not going to change unless there's a really good reason.

06-07-2009, 11:30 AM	#11
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	But... all the popular tax software runs entirely online now, Perry. Why bother actually installing the program at all? __________________ My book My other book My spirit animal

06-07-2009, 12:48 PM	#13
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	For what it's worth, if your taxes are complex enough to require a schedule C, H&R Block is way cheaper than TurboTax. But if your taxes are pretty basic then they're all the same. __________________ My book My other book My spirit animal

06-07-2009, 03:02 PM	#14
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	You do realize that all the information you enter in online tax services is retained by them and is their legal property, right? __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

06-07-2009, 03:26 PM	#15
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	I figure it's already the government's information, and I'm more scared of the government doing something wrong with it than I am H&R Block... __________________ My book My other book My spirit animal

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