Good, they will be gone! I figured that but didn't want to crash it.

I find the most effective way to keep our computers running fast is to completely reformat every 3-5 years. Sometimes I'll use a second hard drive so that I can transfer back stuff like Favorites, email, pictures, etc...It's alot faster in most cases and it is guaranteed to get you back to optimum speed. Problemf or most people is that they don't have a fresh install disk for Windows XP and don't know how to reinstall things called drivers, etc...I've tried all of the anti-spyware stuff out there and google for issues but I've found once you have problems they just keep coming back no matter what you do and how knowledgable you are in fixing computers.

I do it about once a year or so, just because I like the new install feeling. I install and uninstall stuff all the time and it just keeps getting slower and slower.

I used to replace my computer about every three years but found that when hard drives started exceeding 100GB, 500mb RAM, and 2.4Ghz Pentiums came around that they finally hit a speed and capacity that the average user needs could be satisfied. Now I am not into the gaming, don't visit the porn sites and have no desire to watch TV on the computer so this last unit I built in 2002 is still running AOK. Mind you I went with quality motherboard, CPU, etc...and turn the PC off when I am not using it. So in six years I have formatted and reloaded the OS just once. I did buy a pair of hard drives since they don't sell the 120GB Maxtor SATA drives anymore. My 17 inch monster CRT which I bought for a steal for $500.00 when they were first new now sits downstairs and is used only to setup new PC's. I did upgrade to 17 inch BenQ LCD several years ago. I guess it depends what you use the computer for and how you use it that plays a big part in how often it should be reloaded.

Sure it does just send me $99.99 and I will send it right out... And for another $40 or so, I will get it on one of our fastest Mules.

Bottom line don't waist your time unless you know what you are doing or it will cause more problems; then again for an additional $99.99 we will send a patch

If you are heavy into PC gaming you probably will have to reformat every other year or so. I setup a RAID array on a pair of 500 GB sata drives and I built it about 2 years ago and while it is still fast, I've noticed it has slowed down a bit. Funny thing is, it is nice having the space on the RAID drives but when you go to back up everything, you need a lot of space elsewhere to save it! Of the 931 GB I have available, I have used 348 GB. Would take a lot of floppy discs I'd say!

Hi guys

you can download a good anti-virus for free from AVG Anti-virus.
I have been usig it for 6+ months no and it's great, better than Norton or McAfee. Both of those let my PC get infected badly.
I can't remember which compnay, but even with my subscription, they charged em $90 to remote connect and remove the virus.

I got hit again and had to take pc to local computer company; cost me $135 to fix, including a fresh install of Windows XP.
He is th eone who installed the AVG Anti-Virus. Just don't use its' firewall.

Also for free is a produt called "littleregistrycleaner" which will find and rair all errors in the Windows Registry.
This is very importat and the more errors in the Registry, the slower your machine will run.

Good luck
Charlie

While not a free utility, to sign up and their service`s are 100% free.

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/

I am an Advisor there though probably not for much longer. Life is taking me in a different direction.

If you have any PC related problem I highly recommend the board.

Please just keep in mind all Staff are volunteers and give freely of their time.
The type of your problem will dictate how quickly you receive help and how long it takes to solve.

I frequently use the Disc Cleanup on my computer. I was introduced to a free cleanup program GlaryUtilities.com and I like it as well You just have to hit no or cancel when it asks to update so you don't download the paid program. My PC stays on all the time now so the scheduled programs can run such as Defrag.

One free program that's good against spyware is Spybot search and destroy. Will catch a lot of stuff. Though it's not a virus scanner so you will still need one of those.