reformatting help....

[in_diana_jones]

well, it's been long past time for me to reformat my computer, with all this spyware i've had to put up with, but i have one problem...how do i go about doing that?

my OS right now is windows 2000, and i would like to put XP on it when i'm done reformatting, so i was wondering if anyone knew how to go about by doing this, what i will need to do it, or at least supply a couple links? (i've tried looking on google but found nothing...)

thanks!

[Matthew]

Don't reformat because of spyware!

Get SPYBOT Search and Destroy, this is one link. (http://www.zone-x.com/spybot/)

run that, and it will remove all your spyware.

Careful though, since some reg keys it picks up are for certain programs.

[Razorback]

What he said... I use it and I recommend it to anyone.

RB

[in_diana_jones]

it's not just spyware actually...it's also that i'm partial to wanting to have XP on my comp, also i'd just liked to start fresh....my comp is too cluttered.

[Matthew]

Win 2K is better than xp. Even though they are the same kernel, Win2k is much safer, and all around a better OS.

Stick with 2K. If you want to do a clean install, to get rid of a bunch of shit, then reinstall 2k. It is by far superior to XP.

Just backup any files you want to keep, and reinstall them after the clean install.

[Remission]

I agree with Matthew, but it seems like you will be more interested in "eye candy" which XP does provide. If you want to install windows XP it is quite easy... just boot from the XP disk... it will bring up a menu option where I think it will ask you if you want to format.... Make sure you use NTFS, and not FAT32... Then it should be a breeze from there.

[Razorback]

I don't agree. XP is a better OS for non-techies. Both have similar security risks and benefits. I would recommend XP over 2000 unless you really like working with the admin tools.

RB

[Matthew]

2K is more stable, makes for a better admin, server, and programming environment. 2K also has a better memory management system.

If you open a program in XP, an amount of memory is kept aside to keep that program running, even after it is closed. This was meant to do so for things like games, or paint programs etc that need a reserve set aside. The only way to change this is to expand the ammount of RAM until the initial program reserve is deleted.

2K fixes this problem by allocating the ammount of memory needed to run the programs that are open only.

Enough said about that though, it is really a matter of personal preference. If you want a flashy os, go for XP. If you want a stable and secure OS, go for 2K.

[Matt1]

What the fuck are you people talking about?

[Razorback]

I have 4 PC's here and 2 run Win2K and one runs XP. They all seem to handle apps and games about as well. On the XP system I have over a gig of ram and no cache.

RB

[Matt1]

Gig? Ram? Apps?

Are you a vulcan?

[Matthew]

I also have a gig of ram here, and of course they SEEM to run as well, but try this on your xp machine.

Open the task manager, take note of the amount of RAM cached. Then open a huge game, or a 3d modelling program, or something very ram intensive. play for a little, and close, then look at the amount of RAM cached.

See the difference? Now repeat the process on a 2k machine.

[JK]

I've got problem and nobody seems to know what the hell I'm talking about- I try to download and run Spybot and Ad-Aware on my computer at work- it installs fine, but when I run it, I get an error message in German...

It's a shared computer, so I know the little bastards that work the weekends are doing stuff they aren't supposed to.

[ratm1966]

I don't mean to appear as a dick; okay I do.....You said you have 4 PCs and 2 run Win2K and 1 runs XP. What does the 4th one have? Millenium, NT, 98?

[Razorback]

2003.

RB

[Matt1]

You have four computers? Who are you? Batman?

[Droogan_Leader]

That's pretty funny.

Oh yeah, and I really miss 2000. I absolutely can't stand XP. Is there any way to get a [legal] copy of 2k? I don't have the patience to go through the crap to reformat my desktop, but I'm getting a laptop in the near future, and would much rather have 2k on it.

in-diana-jones, I hope your problems work out!

[jjcourtright]

In my experience 2000 has worked great if it comes pre-installed on the computer, but not so well if it is installed by the end user. I have problems all the time at home, and I have tried to do alot to make it run smoothly. But, the computers at work rarely have any problems.

[Razorback]

I am a tech. Any tech worth his weight in ram has more than 2 PC's.

RB

[Matthew]

RB, Is it safe to assume that 2003 is your server for the other 4? OR are you using 2k server?

[psychofiend]

Ayuh, I have some ram, some gigs and some apps. But I don't know or give a flying or a walking fuck.

[Efexeye]

"Ayuh"- I've never heard that word outside of a Steven King book set in Derry, Maine.

[psychofiend]

I know, I always use it when i write stuff. Thanks for noticing. I've always wondered the proper pronunciation though.

[Sheriff]

Since no one else has said it and you are re-formatting for sure (2000 or XP), be sure to find all the drivers for your hardware before burning the sucker down. Have them stored on a floppy or CD, especially your ethernet card, in a pinch you can go online and find them. If you are really nervous and this is your first time reformatting, I would recommend installing a small 2nd hard-drive (10-20 GB) and putting the fresh install on there, then you can be sure your running smoothly and all your files are transferred before reformatting the old one. I keep one hard drive for my system and another for large games, music, pictures, porn, etc. Putting either the 2000 or XP cd in will allow you to reformat your drive also www.driverguide.com (http://www.driverguide.com) is a great place for missing drivers.

I sound like I know what I am doing...

[Razorback]

Both are acting as servers. 2003 is just a test server.

RB

[Matthew]

Naa,

Whatever OS he chooses to use will have a connection for the net.

Don't even bother saving your driver files, since all the sites have downloadable installers/drivers.

ALSO, since the choices are 2k or xp, you don't need to use the small HD for a backup.

Just backup anything you want to keep (documents, games, shared files etc. )

[jjcourtright]

I think Sheriff is right. After installing 2000, my network card and modem were worthless as I had no driver for them. I had to download them at a friend's house in order to put things somewhat back in order.

[Sheriff]

A small HD initially for backup, and then used separatly for system. I built my current system and all the hardware was supported, but older models sometimes don't have supported ethernet/modem card's (I had an experience very similar to JJ's). I would recommend partitioning the drive for system installation but that can get a little complicated if you have never done it before. For someone who works with computers all the time and is confident with them thats fine, but for someone to do this the first time it can turn into a mess rather quickly. Maybe a bit overcareful but this way you don't lose everything and can still have a working computer while you are doing the installation.

[Razorback]

I agree, don't save driver files... download the updated ones for XP or 2000 and save them to disk so that you can use them during or after installation.

RB

[jjcourtright]

I may be crazy, but that reads to me like:

Don't save the files, but save the files.

[Matthew]

I was talking about the seperate Hard Drive thing.

[Matthew]

How does 2003 server fare to 2k server?

[Razorback]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
I may be crazy, but that reads to me like:

Don't save the files, but save the files.


[/ QUOTE ]

You may be crazy... I was just responding to one and not the other. I completely ignored the dude with the bouncing jubblies for an avatars comment.

RB

[Razorback]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
How does 2003 server fare to 2k server?


[/ QUOTE ]

I will tell you when I have more time to test it. /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

RB