Formating hard drive questions

[rcrcomputing]

It's a day later, so you've probably already formated. But just in case, here's some things you can try.

Download and install these from our site. http://www.rcrnet.net/downloads/
ad-aware
spybot
Microsoft Spyware Beta
WinsockXPFix (just in case spyware removal causes loss of internet access.


Update them all after installation and run them. In this day and age of M$ security problems (activex controls mainly), you might as well get used to these three programs. They are as important to know as virus protection is.

Then, go to start/run and type in msconfig. Do NOT mess with anything but the stuff under startup (far right tab) There you will see most of the stuff windows loads at startup. Uncheck what you don't want and restart. If you don't know what it is, you may not want to uncheck it. In any event, you can simply go back in and recheck it later.

If at this point, you still go slow, remember, XP likes ram. 512 megs is the least I run with it. You can also always go to one of the hijackthis forums if the problem persist after all this and they'll have you run hijackthis and post logs and help you clear up the problem.

Incidently, I run Debian Linux at home and on my servers. No virus's or spyware on linux. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[jpr62902]

Thank you everyone for all the helpful info (TBN to the rescue yet again). I ran scandisk and defrag (in safe mode) and the computer is running much better now -- but man! It took over 8 hrs. to run this stuff and I still didn't finish the defrag (had to get my a.m. dose of TBN first). I think I'll hold off on the XP installation and use it for a barebones system in the near future. 400mhz and 192 mb of Ram just don't seem to cut it anymore in the today's high speed internet world.

Anybody have any experience buying barebones systems on eBay? I understand there are tech support issues with these, but I really can't stand all the proprietary hardware in the store bought units (I like to tinker with my PC's). Besides, I have a few friends and a nephew who are ubertechnonerds.

 

[Spiffy]

Bare Bones: great way to go if you already have the OS; of course, if you're going that far and one of your friends has a extra case, you can consider a completely raw assembly. No real savings (often opposite) but you'll get a PS to your specs instead of generic.

Remember, you'll still likely need HDs; SATA will be your no-brainer. Most of the time if CD drives, burners, etc come with a BB system, they're generic...not always bad, but consider your own taste there.

Either way, I'd recommend deciding the chip you'll run [AMD64?, P4?], then the MOBO choices (everybody has their favorites, I'm running SuperMicro [only because my SCSI card likes PCI-X; you will want PCI-E; for just surfing: onboard video is fine, but I'd recommend getting an AGP or a PCI-E vid-slot for when you change your mind]; I will plug ASUS, but doubt you want a MOBO war.)

Often, the "ussual suspects" like newegg or tiger have some pretty good deals. Got a $30 setup (case, PS, mobo, burner, kb, mouse, speakers) for the FIL&MIL; still cost 10X that after a P4, RAM, drives, modem, etc. The SIL&BIL bought them a AllInOne PSC and digital camera to top it off; FIL loves it. (total package a little over $500). Cheap mobo, but 4 months and runs great. Of the two P4s (still like the AMD64s, $$ just didn't come out at the time) I built, I think one proccesor came from Ebay and the other newegg.

Long and short: it probably isn't the cheapest route out there, but your options are endless! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[PBMAX]

getut, just show it the CD hm i'll have to try that. I was basing it on onfo I found ages ago when the upgrades 1st came and a few folks I new at the time had tried it various ways. I don't recall any one mentioning that option.... It's good to know thanks

 

[rcrcomputing]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( getut, just show it the CD hm i'll have to try that. I was basing it on onfo I found ages ago when the upgrades 1st came and a few folks I new at the time had tried it various ways. I don't recall any one mentioning that option.... It's good to know thanks )</font>

It works with 98, me, 2000, and XP. On the reverse, if you need to upgrade say win98 to win98 rev 2 using the OEM CD, simply rename c:\windows\win.com to another name or delete it altogether.

 

[rcrcomputing]

START WITH A GOOD MOTHERBOARD!!! No pchips or the like. (They mfg several brand names)
I'm partial to MSI boards, but asus, supermicro etc are good.
I'm also liking the 64 bit AMD boards and chips for performance and upgradeability. At least 512 megs of ram or more. Absolutly NO onboard video. Those boards are cheaper with less performance as well as the video steals your ram and slows the machine down as well.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

I think the best advice given was to buy a new HD and start fresh with it. Defrag is dubous at best. Scandisk can really be a monster and tear things up. A new HD is small change and the safe bet. I do computers for a living, and data is what matters. I wouldn't give a nickel for all those cheesy clone boards.