Re: new external HDD what to do?

From: Colin Barnhorst (colinbarharst(nojunk)_at_msn.com)
Date: 02/17/05 

Date: Thu, 17 Feb 2005 11:02:12 -0700

I would not reformat and reinstall. Review the software installed on your
system and use Add/Remove in the Control Panel to remove software you don't
use. Review your Start folder for programs that don't have to run all the
time.

Just do simple maintenance, such as defragging. Keep spyware off of your
system and don't download a bunch of freebie stuff like Weatherbug. Your
description of your memory usage sounds like you have a lot of icons in your
system tray. Some of these are either programs you don't really need but
thought looked neat so you installed them, or programs you don't need to run
at startup but just want to run when the need to do something arises.

There is a lot of mythology out there about periodically starting all over.
It does not help in the long run because a slow-cluttered system is a matter
of user habits and not the OS. Starting over with the same habits just
doesn't solve anything. XP is well-designed for continuous use without
starting over from time to time. It's the user that gets in the way. 

-- 
Colin Barnhorst [MVP  Windows - Virtual Machine]
(Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested)
"Robert J. Lafayette" <xyz1234@msn.invalid> wrote in message 
news:%23fvAjdRFFHA.1564@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> currently have a HP pavilion , ze 4230, 40 gb hdd, 512 ram, 1.8 Ghz, 
> windows xp home, sp2.
>
> using lots of memory only 131mb  of 512 mb available, acording to system 
> information.
>
> got a new 250 gb external hdd and am wanting to consider reformatting 
> internal hdd and reinstalling all appropriate software,
> since i suspect loads of old unused software files, as well as ghosts are 
> in my system.
>
> is this recommended-- reformatting and reinstalling, and if yes, how can i 
> go about doing it?
>
> thanks in advance,
>
> robert in gozo
>
>
>

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