Benefits to reformatting?

[jiminphilly]

I've had my current computer for about 4 years (almost 5). I've put a ton of programs on it and pulled a ton off. I've been pretty diligent about protecting it from virues, spyware etc.. and I defrag whenever I've done a lot of program removal/additions.


Should I consider reformatting my hard drive? What would be the reason to do this? It won't be hard for me to back up most of the stuff on my computer but I don't want to take an unnecessary step if I don't have to.



Thanks-

[Bobby42]

After 4-5 years, why don't you consider getting a new computer? Before your hard drive crashes and everything is lost.

[ElTaco]

You should only cosider it if you are having issues with your PC. I would say that after 5 years its not a bad idea to upgrade but depending on what you have and what you are using it for, it may be fine. It is however highly recommended that you backup your important data onto a CD weekly or Montly depending on how much it changes. (an external HD is also a good idea for backups and extra storage.) Alternatively a new hard drive might be a suitable solution but even then its a good idea to back up your stuff every few times a year.

[jiminphilly]

After 4-5 years, why don't you consider getting a new computer? Before your hard drive crashes and everything is lost.

I've backed up the most important stuff (music and pictures) already. I have hard discs copies of any programs I have loaded.

I mostly use it for online gaming and I have contemplated getting a new rig because my processor is only a 2ghz amd athlon. My fps is hurting bad, even with a decent graphics card and a broadband connection.

I still have a ton of hard drive space available though so it's not like it's filled to the max with stuff. I upgraded the RAM to a 1 gig so it's not a bad system to keep.

I guess I was wondering if reformatting would help regain some processing power.

[DiT]

your computer will buzz along real nicely with a fresh format:)

[Mister Bushice]

...but at 5 years your hard drive could take a shit tomorrow. That's a long time for a drive to be spinning.

But as long as you have everything backed up, reformat and ride that pony till she breaks.

The biggest lag time you have right now is in the registry, where every program you have ever used has stored some info. reformatting will clean that dog up good.

[DiT]

...but at 5 years your hard drive could take a shit tomorrow. That's a long time for a drive to be spinning.

But as long as you have everything backed up, reformat and ride that pony till she breaks.

The biggest lag time you have right now is in the registry, where every program you have ever used has stored some info. reformatting will clean that dog up good.

still spinning the same 4.3GB hd I've been using daily since 2000.
think it's 6-7 years old.

[Dinsdale]

I'd say the biggest advantage to reformatting would be that the rest of us would be spared your "takes" for a few hours.

Plus, it would probably give you better PC performance, after 5 years of spywares and fragging and invalid registry entries and whatnot.

[Mister Bushice]

...but at 5 years your hard drive could take a shit tomorrow. That's a long time for a drive to be spinning.

But as long as you have everything backed up, reformat and ride that pony till she breaks.

The biggest lag time you have right now is in the registry, where every program you have ever used has stored some info. reformatting will clean that dog up good.

still spinning the same 4.3GB hd I've been using daily since 2000.
think it's 6-7 years old.

Power users such as yourself get more time. :)