Re: Clean Install

REDWAGON

LOL.. nothing I suggested would get the OP into a deeper hole.. I suggest
that you look at posts where users attempted to do a clean install.. lost
pictures, lost e-mail, lost projects, more than one installation in one
partition, the OS installed to another partition that is no longer C, no
idea how to use an OS image maker, no idea whether they have a retail
upgrade version or a full retail or OEM version (it makes a difference)..

The steps that I suggest are all simple, and will help the user protect what
they have.. they will also leave the user in a position to stave off
problems in the future.. for sure, it would be easy to tell them how to
clean install, but they would then have to know how and where to back up
their important stuff.. do you think that would be any easier for a newbie
to grasp?

You have not been long doing any form of IT support or you would already be
party to this..

I look forward to seeing your solutions appear as answers to queries in
these newsgroups.. maybe you would like to start now, and give the OP some
solid advice that works.. and you had better ensure that it is solid advice,
because once important user files have been deleted by a clean installation
process, it is very hard, more often impossible, to get them back..

--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/user

http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm





"REDWAGON" <REDWAGON@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:0E066B7F-0469-40E5-BAB0-2D123F739AEC@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Hey Mike, here's a person that obviously got into having a mess because he
> didn't do what you are suggesting for him to do now. Give the guy a break
> and
> suggest to him how to save his own personal files etc. and let him do what
> most all other professional tech writers for most all of the computer
> magazines would tell him----"NEW CLEAN INSTALL". Even if he did what you
> suggest there would still be gobs of crap left in his registry that's not
> needed and not helpfull.
>
> Sorry MIke, but please don't suggest things that you know will get most
> people in a deeper hole. Think about it, and give them the simplest
> suggestion you can to start them in the right direction. You are one smart
> dude that knows how to keep a computer clean, however, most do NOT.
>
> Redwagon..........
>
> "Mike Hall (MS-MVP)" wrote:
>
>> Tracy
>>
>> How long did it take for you to get to this position?.. how long before
>> you
>> expect to have to start over again?.. have you made backups of your data,
>> e.mail and any other important stuff?
>>
>> If you have many programs that you no longer want, why not just use the
>> ADD/REMOVE PROGRAMS to take them out? Do you have a problem with some
>> things
>> not working? Is your computer noticably slowing up by the day?
>>
>> There are free tools available that can do away with the need to start
>> over.. of course, you should still have data backups..
>>
>> Read on.. it may seem like a lot of stuff, but once executed, you will
>> have
>> the tools to stave off most problems, major hardware failure aside..
>>
>> You would be better advised to work on the problems rather than start
>> over
>> now, have the same things happen again, and then have to repeat the
>> process.. maintaining a computer should be done regularly, and will only
>> take a few minutes per week..
>>
>> OK.. start by turning OFF the System Restore function.. click on the
>> Start
>> button.. right click on 'My Computer', then select Properties.. now
>> select
>> the 'System Restore' tab..
>>
>> Check the box "Turn off System Restore" or "Turn off System Restore on
>> all
>> drives".. now click on 'Apply'.. you will be asked if it is ok to lose
>> all
>> restore points.. answer YES to this.. now click on 'OK'
>>
>> Spyware/Adware/Scumware has become a major player in compromising
>> computers.. they introduce viruses, trojans and worms.. they attempt to
>> send
>> out information about you, and they also slow your computer down..
>>
>> The worst of it is that you probably downloaded the spyware, albeit
>> inadvertently..
>> Some basic steps to removing Spyware/Adware..
>> First step is to run a one shot virus remover.. I have found that McAfee
>> Stinger works for people.. download and run it..
>>
>> http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/
>>
>> Another alternative is ..
>>
>> http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp
>> You will also need to download Spyware removal software.. Spybot and
>> Adaware
>> are available at these websites.. both are free.. download and run them..
>> don't forget to check for updates after you have started them..
>>
>> http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
>>
>> http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/
>>
>> .... and this link is for the latest Microsoft helping..
>>
>> http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx
>>
>> Spybot has the ability to immunize a system, but there is better for this
>> function, so download and run Spyware Blaster too.. again, check for
>> updates..
>>
>> http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/
>>
>> Time to turn ON System Restore.. this is obviously like turning it OFF,
>> so
>> just reverse the procedure..
>>
>> If you have had your Internet browser hijacked, that is to say, you get
>> redirected through a search engine NOT of your choosing, you will need
>> different tools..
>> HijackThis is a popular and effective tool.. download it from here..
>>
>> http://www.spychecker.com/download/download_hijackthis.html
>>
>> CWShredder will eliminate CoolWebSearch and variants.. there is a free
>> download here..
>>
>> CWShredder..
>> http://www.intermute.com/spysubtract/cwshredder_download.html
>> About:blank.. http://www.securiteam.com/securityreviews/5RP0L0UD5U.html
>>
>> http://www.pchell.com/support/aboutblank.shtml
>>
>> For other tools in the fight against spyware, visit this website and
>> bookmark it..
>>
>> http://www.pchell.com
>>
>> You must also run a firewall and anti-virus program.. here are some links
>> for you..
>>
>> http://www.mcafee.com
>> http://www.symantec.com
>> http://www.zonealarm.com
>> http://www.kerio.com
>> http://www.gate.com
>> http://www.avast.com
>> http://www.grisoft.com
>>
>> Please return to this thread and provide feedback.. it is the only way
>> that
>> helpers here can determine how effective the advice given has been..
>>
>> Good luck..
>>
>> --
>> Mike Hall
>> MVP - Windows Shell/user
>>
>> http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> "Tracy" <anonymous@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>> news:11dd01c54e32$65014300$a401280a@xxxxxxxxxx
>> >I have Windows XP Home Edition .... could someone walk me
>> > through the steps in doing a clean install? I have so much
>> > crap on my computer now I would really like to start anew.
>> >
>> > Thank You
>> > Signed Tracymae
>>
>>
>>


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