[Lareux]

I read an article that said a lot of people like to do a full system restore on their computers approximately every 2 years. Who here thinks that is a good Idea?

[helloimtim]

That depends in my humble oppinion. Is your system running fine? If its not broke dont fix it. Do you keep the registry clean and junk files off your computer?? If thats all done and you defrag your disk once in a blue moon leave it be. Keep your updates done. Just my thoughts......peace.....im out

[Lareux]

The computer is slowing down, falling apart, and seems to be near deaths door. There is no money to replace it, but like I said I've heard that a restore will make it better. I have run Cleaners, defrag, virus scans, etc. It seems like when I fix one thing, or think I am getting somewhere there is something else to contend with.

[angel]

If you're interested in resolving your probs short of a complete reinstall, you might want to post in Security (to resolve spyware probs, etc) or the forum appropriate for your OS. You're currently in the Tips & Tricks which is generally where people post tips and tricks they have come across.
As for you original question, I, personally, do a complete wipe about every 9 months or so and know others that do it every 6 months or every year. Me? Mostly because I get bored!
But as helloimtim stated, it really depends on how well you maintain your system as you're using it.

[Lareux]

I figured if enough people thought it was a good idea to reinstall every 2 years, it would be considered a "Tip". I have been working with the "virus forum" on specific problems

[Classified]

I think that it pays to re-install when a new Service Pack comes out.

AutoStreamer download http://mhtools.knoware.nl/raptor/aut...toStreamer.zip

[Classified]

Btw, when is one coming out for Millennium Edition, and will it be called XP?

[Stoner]

Originally Posted by Lareux

I figured if enough people thought it was a good idea to reinstall every 2 years, it would be considered a "Tip". I have been working with the "virus forum" on specific problems

As others have said, it depends.
It depends how much 'junk' has entered the computer from internet surfing, meaning trojans, virus,spyware and adware.
It depends on installing conflicting software or hardware that degrades and causes data corruption.

As a rule, I'd say only reinstall if there is no fix to your problems.
I had a $35 used computer with 98se last 3 years for me without a reinstall before the motherboard shorted.
My sister works for a corporation that provides Compaq laptops that have enough hardware failures that she seldom goes 6 months without a major repair and a reinstall too.

I just bought at auction a p2 400 Dell ,win2k, that was in a business environment and online. From what I can tell, the install is about 41/2 years old and the comp works very well.

And then there are computer lemons