Clean Install

Ok so I didn't do a clean install on my V6Va when I bought it and now I am being tormented with crashing during games and other annoying problems.

My question is, do I just clean install with the Asus backup disk that came with my PC? Won't that just return it to factory setting, which is the way I got it in the first place? Or should I use my Windows XP Pro CD and download all the drivers I need individualy and install them? Thanks

 

If you just bought that computer, then you would have a lot of useless crap on it. When I first got my dell, oh man it had some softwares on my computer that I've never even heard of. It really pissed me off cuz it made my computer super slow. So I would suggest that you format it completely with your own Windows XP Pro CD. And install the drivers separately.

 

helps if i read the question right

I'm not sure if the Asus disk is a clean install disk or not. It might be best to ask that in the Asus forum. Like azntiger said, junkware can cause so many problems that you aren't even aware of. Plus it slows down your system.

The XP disk should fix all of your problems. I would back up drivers to a CD first before you reformat just for precautionary measures, but it would be better to download and install the current drivers from the web. I normally recommend to download the drivers before you reformat, so you can save some time.

 

On my W2V i had a recovercd installed with (like SouthernGirl said) junkware, the laptop was slow and that for a new top of the line notebook.
I boughd winXP again and have now a clean install with the newest drivers and bios. It rocks!!
So make a clean install and enjoy youre notebook again.

 

I bought a Sony Vaio VGN-FJ1S last November and I also forgot to do a clean a install it, so now I have all this Sony crap on my laptop. Second thing is that I didn't receive a back up or an original Windows XP cd/dvd. How can I do a clean install without those discs?

 

I plan to do a clean install of Windows XP as well when my Compaq V4000t arrives. Should I do the clean install before booting up the system for the first time? Thanks,
Tim

 

I'm not sure of Sony's policies. Did you get any kind of disks? Or you might check in your sony software and see if there is a program that allows you to burn a copy of XP.

I would boot up the system and verify that there are no problems, and everything is working correctly. Once you've checked everything out, then do the clean install.

 

SouthernGirl,
What's your take on partitioning hard drives? I have read info on both sides of the issue, but I am not quite sure what I should do. Do you know of a good guide that will be understandable for a newb? I am currently reading the one off of www.tweakguides.com
Thanks,
Tim

 

In my opinion, I would have a second partition for several reasons. They are simple to set up, and don't require any addtional software. In the event that something should happen to windows, and you have to reformat it, you don't have to back up your documents. When you reformat in the future, you just choose to reformat the windows partition. It also creates organization, and doesn't affect your performance.

What kind of guide do you need? One for XP or just partitions?

 

There were no disks included at all and I haven't found a program after searching through my software, is there another solution?

 

You could call Sony and try to request the disks. If you have a retail cd of XP, you could try using that with your key (usually located on the bottom of the laptop) or with the CD key if you still have it. I'm not sure if that will work or not. Some manufacturers make it where the key that is located with the laptop is only valid with the OEM XP disk.

It might just be better to create a new thread in our Sony forum, since this is more specifically related to Sony than Software.

SG

 

SouthernGirl said

Well I think I need a guide on how to do a clean install of windows XP. I am not really sure on the steps I need to take.

Okay, I have a few questions here. When do I make the new partition? How large of a partition should I make for a 80GB drive? Should windows be on its own seperate partition while all my documents/games are on another?

I have never really been allowed to tinker with my famliys computer so I am pretty new to all this stuff. Thanks for the help.
Tim

 

SouthernGirl,
Hey what would you know. I search for how to do a clean install of windows and your thread pops up .
Okay, so I will begin by reading that. If you still have any other good guides let me know .
Thanks,
Tim

 

Here is another guide, but it is longer. I condense mine so it didn't have the explanations
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

As far as how much should you have on your spare, that just depends on how much music/documents you will have. Windows probably should have more, so I would go with 50/30 or 60/20. You just want room to store all of your documents. All programs/games will probably run better if they are on the windows partition, but you could save .exe files to your spare for back up purposes. That way you wouldn't have to redownload any programs that you might loose if you reformat.

 

No. Test the machine thoroughly with the preinstalled system first. If you do a clean install immediately, you may not have the drivers. Many machines require you to make your own restore disks. And, if you have any problems, Compaq won't support you without the original software.