reformat

How often do you reformat your computer to a clean install?

I try and do it at least once a year.
They collect a lot of useless crap over time.

When I finally figured out how to format and do a fresh install, I was doing it weekly then monthly for a few months. Right now I am on the same install well over 4 years. It runs as good as the day I did the format only a little slower as I have well over 260 things installed on my computer.
Of course I do have help doing this. I have had Norton Ghost on this comp since the last format and have had to restore my entire drive more then once but, have not used Ghost in well over a year.
Some say to format yearly, others say format only when it is needed. I say if you keep up with the virus protection, spyware apps., etc. don't download junk and of course keep up with all the Windows updates and no issues. Format only when needed.

Shadow wrote:When I finally figured out how to format and do a fresh install, I was doing it weekly then monthly for a few months. Right now I am on the same install well over 4 years. It runs as good as the day I did the format only a little slower as I have well over 260 things installed on my computer.
Of course I do have help doing this. I have had Norton Ghost on this comp since the last format and have had to restore my entire drive more then once but, have not used Ghost in well over a year.
Some say to format yearly, others say format only when it is needed. I say if you keep up with the virus protection, spyware apps., etc. don't download junk and of course keep up with all the Windows updates and no issues. Format only when needed.

I agree Shadow only as needed but if your like us our computers get a lot of use (about 16 hours a day) and have to be done more often.

My laptop was formatted a few times, and it has been awhile, Probably Jan/ Feb 09 but I haven't even gotten everything installed back onto it.
The DT it has been a very long time, like you Shadow. 4 yrs probably, but I have used Norton Ghost a couple times.
it is clean from spy, virus, etc, but I do have about 6 columns of programs pop up when I go to start all Progz... (XP) I use them all, quite often.

not mentioning the standalone, no install necessary ones I have too. I can't imagine reinstalling everything.

thanks, I like to live by the motto of "don't fix it if it ain't broken".