Wipe hard drive

muffler

Apologies if this has been posted before. I have a simple question I think but as Im not too familiar with these issues you learned people will probably consider it a stupid question.

Anyways the kids PC is basically cluttered with all types of games, demos etc. and is running pretty slow. I am thinking of doing a complete clean/wipe of the hard drive and then reinstall some of the more popular games etc.

How do I carry out this procedure and is there anything I should watch out for.

What I would be thinking about would be windows updates and patches etc. That PC was used by me up to a year ago and I would have downloaded various updates. Would this be a problem now if I reinstalled windows (XP)

The PC is not connected to the internet now.

I would be most grateful for any advice that you can give

TempestSabre

Make sure you have all your internet settings, passwords, bookmarks, docs etc backed up somewhere before you start. Also make sure you have all the drivers you need. Especially if you've any older bits of hardware in there.

If you reinstall windows you lose all your updates. I was you I'd install XP, then Zone Alarm and a AV like AVG. Then connect it up to broadband somewhere and get all the updates that way. Stuff like DX9 has been updated as have the Video drivers. Then you should get all the game patches etc.

muffler

Thanks for the reply. just going through the list of things you mentioned and I would have a list of passwords and all the word documents etc backed up.

Where would I find the various drivers and how do you perform a back up of these. Also where would the internet settings be.

I did temporarily connect the PC to broadband a few months ago and downloaded updates for previously installed AVg, ad-aware and Spy-bot. I think you said to reinstall windows. is that just a reinstall of the OS system or is the hard drive wiped at the same time.

As I said the PC is not connected to BB and is normally used for games only + a little bit of homework by the kids. One problem I had before I give them the PC is that there is Mal aware?? in it. I think the actual offending item is called VX2. The older type games that use 16 bit color cant be played. The VX2 is still there despite downloading a special removal tool from Ad-aware the last time I connected it to bb

Steffano2002

Back-up everything -> Insert Windows CD in CD/DVD Drive -> Restart PC (boot from CD/DVD Drive) -> Deleted/Format partition where Windows was installed (very easy, follow on-screen instructions) -> Install Windows

And voilà, brand new PC!

Edit: When you do this you lose EVERYTHING!

Sully

Boot PC from CD-ROM.

On Blue Screen - click "ENTER" then press "F8" to agree to the Terms and Conditions.

Press "ESC" to install a fresh copy of Windows XP (ie format)

Press "ENTER" to install on drive C:\

Then press "C"

Go to the option "Format Partion using NTFS File System".

^^ Thats what I suggest.

What Browser/Email Client do you use? Have you your computers drivers handy if needed?

bpmurray

Perhaps it just needs cleaning up. Try http://www.jv16.org - their JV16 tools are free to try for 30 days, and they'll clean up the registry, delete temporary files, etc. After that, try defragmenting the disk. It's easier than reinstalling everything, in particular the Windows Updates, without which you'll get infected incredibly quickly.

muffler

Sully04 wrote:

What Browser/Email Client do you use? Have you your computers drivers handy if needed?

When it was used by me up to about a year ago the browser was internet explorer and outlook express handled the email.

As its not now connected to the internet I shouldn't be too concerned about that but I will most likely do a temporary connection at some later time to download updates etc.

In relation to the computers drivers I have all the discs that came with it (from Dell) when I bought it about 3 years ago.

Hope all this sounds right as I dont know too much about computers

the_syco

Meh. Here's another way. Since its XP, you can do a "Repair Install" which basiclly reinstalls windows, but keeps all your old settings (MS Word, etc, doesn't have to be reinstalled).

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

I've done this in the past, and it usually cures any problems I've had. It reinstalls XP, but keeps all your registry settings. Sulloy04's idea is also good, I'm just giving ye another option, if ye don't want to do a clean wipe.

muffler

bpmurray wrote:

Perhaps it just needs cleaning up. Try http://www.jv16.org - their JV16 tools are free to try for 30 days, and they'll clean up the registry, delete temporary files, etc. After that, try defragmenting the disk. It's easier than reinstalling everything, in particular the Windows Updates, without which you'll get infected incredibly quickly.

Any idea if the tools are simple enough to use>

I would normally defrag. about every 2 weeks. Dont think there are any temp. files as its not connected to internet and with it not being connected is there much risk involved when installing games only?

TempestSabre

Best place for the drivers is the web. Make a backup CD with all the drivers you need. Download the latest versions of all the AV apps and updates too. Add these to your driver CD. Check the Dell site for any updates for you machine too. Ad these to the CD aswell.

Run Spybot, Adware, X-Cleaner, and AVG. That should get rid of most things. But clear your Browser caches and temp files before you do so.

It is possible to build a new Windows XP installer CD from your original and include SP2 and all the updates on it. Its called slipstreaming. But its not that easy to do, especially if you're not that IT savvy. SP2 is available from MS on a CD aswell. I got a copy from them myself. Handy sometimes.

If the machine its not used on the web and only by the kids for games and homework then security isn't that big a deal. But somehow I expect you'll be giving them some web access even if you don't intend to now.

You should be able to play any games DOS or Windows 3.x on Windows XP. Theres a App called DOSBOX that might help you for any that are troublesome.

Might be an idea to ply the IT techie you know with a few pints to set the machine up for you. Most IT people don't mind doing it for a beer, or a takeaway.

muffler

the_syco wrote:

Meh. Here's another way. Since its XP, you can do a "Repair Install" which basiclly reinstalls windows, but keeps all your old settings (MS Word, etc, doesn't have to be reinstalled)

That sounds good and as it appears to be easily enough done it would suit me but what about old game files etc. I got the kids to uninsatll most of the games but apparently there are some files that were shared or something and could not be removed.

Also any advice as to how to get rid of the VX2 thing

muffler

Just to clarify the position in relation to internet. Im downstairs on this PC in the sitting room and on bb via the standard esatBt modem and land line while the kids have their PC upstairs in a bedroom with no telephone socket.

A few months ago I brought their PC down here and hooked it up temporary to bb mostly to download some sort of fix for the VX2 bug? Still cant get rid of the bugger.

There is always the possibility that at some future date I will have the kids PC connected to the internet so I would need to take that into account now.

But for the time being its simply a game playing machine

the_syco

I've no idea what the VX2 thing is. Your in Windows now, but when doing the reinstall, your not, so it usually just overwrites anything.

daveg

My advice is wipe it and re-install. Once you've everything installed and your happy take a ghost image of the machine. You will never be in this position again if you do.

muffler

daveg wrote:

My advice is wipe it and re-install. Once you've everything installed and your happy take a ghost image of the machine. You will never be in this position again if you do.

Sorry about this but what is a ghost image

TouchingVirus

muffler wrote:

Sorry about this but what is a ghost image

A ghost image is an exact replica of whatever you are ghosting.

If you make a Ghost image of your c:\ drive right after to reinstall windows and install its updates you have essentially backed up your entire system (files, settings, registry etc) at that current point in time to an "image".

Then, if things ever go belly-up again all you need to do is run the ghosting program and choose the image to restore from. Voila, back where you started without having to enter the Windows CD and reinstall XP and update and reinstall this driver and that one etc etc ..its a very very handy thing to do.

Now to my suggestion.

Copy everything in C:\Documents And Settings to a CD or ZIP it up and move to a different drive.

Download Autopatcher December Full (from http://www.autopatcher.com) for your windows Version (XP/2000/2003) and the January 06 update. This program contains all the updates you would have to connect to the internet to get off windowsupdate.com aswell as very many other tweaks and improvements

Ensure you have a firewall to install aswell.

Then Reformat and install Windows (using sully04's instructions).

Install the updates via the autopatcher utility. Install the firewall.

Connect to the internet and get new versions of all your computers drivers from the manufacturers website (GFX/Sound/Motherboard etc).

Then restore the Documents and Settings folder via MSDOS mode (Documents and Settings is used by windows so you cannot restore/backup it while in windows)

There ya go, all done. Ghost the drive now if you want and reinstall the games

daveg

Muffler taking an image is invaluable. I have a "fresh" image of my machine at home. Whenever it gets clogged with games/spyware etc I just put back the image. I use drive image instead of ghost. In approx 7 mins my machine is back to a brand new install.

tba

And when you install windows with all the updates you can use http://www.nliteos.com/nlite.html to save an iso so you never have to connect to the net to update again.

TempestSabre

Personally I find the repair option worse than useless. It takes ages, and it never works 100% afterwards. You always end up reinstalling it anyway. Taking an image or ghosting is not a bad idea. I don't do that because I change my hardware to often. Besides with a broadband connection updates are no hassle anyway.

muffler

Thanks guys for all the replies. Its fantastic to know that there are people who are willing to give good advice that can help the computer dummies like myself.

There has been a fairly varied response to my query and if Im being honest I would have to say that I am probably slightly confused now as to the best thing to do.

To recap from my end. I originally used the PC in question up to a year ago and it was used mostly for internet access, typing, playing the odd game etc. During the time I used it I downloaded various windows updates, patches etc. I then bought a new PC and give the old one to the kids.

The PC is now in the kids room with no internet access although it can be connected up elsewhere in the house for downloads etc. It is now just cluttered up with all types of rubbish (game demos etc) and is running fairly slow.

My original plan was to wipe the hard drive and reinstall everything but as posted here it was suggested that I didnt have to go to that extreme. This is where I am confused.

Anyone care to just give a one liner saying what they think I should do. Dont get me wrong I really appreciate all the replies to date.

By the way here is a link to a site that might explain what the VX2 issue is and why it is so damned hard to get rid of http://experts.about.com/q/Computer-Security-Viruses-1737/VX2-1.htm

tba

If its just going to play games and never be connected to the internet You should

wipe/reinstall windows
install all drivers you got from dell
install Directx 9
install latest graphics card drivers.
Install games

bpmurray

tba wrote:

If its just going to play games and never be connected to the internet You should

wipe/reinstall windows
install all drivers you got from dell
install Directx 9
install latest graphics card drivers.
Install games

If you want to wipe & reinstall, do the following modified sequence instead, which is more secure:

1. Make sure you have the following on CD:
Windows
Drivers for your hardware
Anti-virus software
Firewall software
2. Disconnect the machine from the internet
3. Wipe & reinstall windows
4. Install your drivers
5. Install your anti-virus
6. Install your firewall
7. Install DirectX
8. Reconnect to Internet & download latest fixpacks and upgrades from Microsoft
9. Check for updated drivers at your hardware manufacturer's site(s) - install if anything
10. Install your games and whatever else

TempestSabre

Buy a Mac?

Sully

TempestSabre wrote:

Buy a Mac?

Unhelpfull comments, such as that, are against the boards charter.

Anyway, I posted earlier with some instructions for formating, but I thought id add a bit more to the whole procedure .

I would highly recommend doing a complete wipe of your Hard Drive, then re-installing Windows.

What to backup? Basicaly any documents, pictures, music, etc. Anything that you dont have handy on a disc.

When I do it, I backup my whole "My Documents" folder (which I went through before hand, removing any non-needed or suspicous looking files) which has all my music, pictures, projects, important files etc. I use Mozilla Thunderbird and Firefox -- so I used MozBackup to backup all of the contents (eg History, Cache, Extensions, Skins etc). I backed most up into seperate RAR files (one for My Documents, one for Firefox/Mozilla etc) and moved them onto my secondary drive -- but you could also put them onto disk.

On another PC it was IE/Outlook Express. So I backed up all Outlook Stuff (forgetting some bits such as stationery, and IEs Favourites - but ill know the next time) using some tips I got of the web (if you want to know more, dont hessitate to ask). This includes all mail settings, accounts, mail itself, folders etc. I also backed up the whole "My Documents" folder, going through all contents to remove any weird files (one that I noticed a lot was !ReadMe.exe -- turned out to be a virus) or stuff I dont need anymore.

I also took a list of all my "essential" software -- ie programs that I will be using when the PC is formated. I have now downloaded all this and kept all install files on a folder so its quicker to install now. I update them when an update comes out. I made sure that I had the drivers from Dell -- who I bought the PC from, but the drivers are also available on their website -- and WinXP Key (never worked, had to get a new one). One driver that Windows couldnt find would of been my Wireless Network Card -- so if you have one, take note of its name and get the driver for it.

And I think thats basicaly everything I did in preperation for a full format. My PC has now a lot less clutter, runs better, and I have MS Anti Spyware running along side with NOD32 AV (Very very good software) scheduled to do automatic updates and scans daily in the early hours of the morning when im not using it. No firewall, as its one thing I cant decide on :P.

Any questions, feel free to ask -- and GOOD LUCK! Once you do it the first time, it will be much easier the second time around (if there is one ).

TempestSabre

Sully04 wrote:

Unhelpfull comments, such as that, are against the boards charter. ...

Is "humour" against the charter?

muffler wrote:

...
Anyone care to just give a one liner....

Well he DID ask....:D

...hey look another emoticon....I wonder what they mean

muffler

A bit of fun never hurt anyone.

Listen lads (maybe lassies as well?) thanks a million for all the advice. Theres a lot there to take in and I will ponder on this for the next few days before making a final decision.

Its not easy when you are a novice but if all else fails I have a sledge hammer close by

TempestSabre

The worst that can happen is that its gets mucked up and you have to take it to a PC shop to set it up. Cost €50 max. Probably less. Whats that 2 nights in the pub? Tankful of petrol. Not that big a deal really. A 3yr old PC isn't that precious. In fairness your going to get good at doing it. The kids will learn to wreck it quick enough. The next thing will be to learn about profiles so you can limit their access and make it harder for them to trash it.

daveg

Just make sure, whatever you do, take an image when you done. Then you won't be posting the same thing again in 12 months time

muffler

Final question lads. Something that has been mentioned several times here is an image or ghost image.

How exactly do I do that

TempestSabre

http://www.symantec.com/home_homeoffice/products/backup_recovery/ghost10/index.html