Is formating the answer?

I notice on many computing forums that when people have problems with their computers, they are often advised to format their computer and start from scratch. I realise this can often solve the problem but is it not a little drastic for most problems and possibly unneccesary.

Jimbob

 

For many problems certainly its not an absolute must to re-format......obviously there are many factors to consider.....plus the personality or business of the User........also, rarely have I seen anyone here at wilders suggest a re-format except in the very worse of cases.......just as obvious is the fact that just perhaps the knowledge of the members and guests here....is impressive....an answers are found.

a re-format certainly should not be out of the question.......an a User should be prepared..........back-ups to cd's etc.............an entire re-format should be painless......an not time consuming.....in such a case.....its really no big issue.......

 

It depends on how obstructive the problem is, and how urgently you need to get your PC up and running again. Reformatting can be quicker and easier than trying to cure the problem. Sad but true.

 

It really depends on the problem the user is experiencing with their computer. Some of the problems found on computer forums can be very user specific, and unless you have experienced the same problem it can be very difficult to diagnose. So many people will suggest a format as an easy solution. For me personally there are quite a number of things I would like to have "check listed" before a suggestion for a format. I tend to agree with you that a lot of these suggestions for formats are quite drastic, but then again (speaking from a web forum standpoint) it is very hard to tell how much other "junk" is on the person's computer without having local access. And if critical data has been backed up, a format might be a good thing.

Should have a put a third choice on your poll

 

Formatting ususally results in the same mess a few weeks later.

 

As a last effort, yes - but I would run repair before reformat though.

 

It's "a" answer, not THE answer.

 

Are you sure? still dont think so.

 

I didn't say it was a good answer though

 

HI, my opinion is that in most cases a format is not required, though I do believe that the PC will run better, especially if it has not been done for some time.
With the options available today for backing up there need'nt be any loss of data at all.

I personally re-format my PC at least once a year, to clean off the crap that accumulates. I have access to WIN updates on CD, so that saves the hassle of downloading them all, and make backups of only the stuff I really want.

Some PC's that I have seen with large amounts of Malware, have conflicts after the infections are removed, from files being modified or deleted, of course there are other options, loading fresh WIN drivers, various registry tools, using system restore or similar, so its really up to the user. But performing a full re-format of a WIN based system isn't that hard and will give you a lot more confidence in using the PC in other areas.

 

So have we come to the conclusion that formating is not the answer and that often enough the problem can be solved by other processes?

Jimbob

 

I agree that re-formatting is the "all else fails" method and I personally avoid it if at all possible. I have not reformatted my drive in 3 years but I keep it clean and running lean so it is still healthy and fast as ever. I have read in a lot of tech support call logs that the users are advised to format and start over. Well...most people aren't smart enough to back anything up so they lose everything and don't know why. 85% of people don't know how to use a computer properly or keep it secure and running right so they go with what they are told and then left with the ruins of their lost data.

So....re-formatting should be a last ditch effort to fix the problem.

Unless, you do like we do and have every computer imaged so it can be restored within the hour to a working state.

 

Sometimes it just becomes necessary if the problems get to the point where they can't be solved through software intervention or manual manipulation. It would in my book a last resort that just becomes unavoidable.

bigc

 

I started this thread and yet I formated my pc the other day when I had a problem

 

I have formatted and reinstalled windows three times this year. It may be a last resort in most cases but if my comp just gets to full of junk I will reformat. With everything on backup cd it only takes about fourty five minutes.

bigc

 

Why don't you just keep it from getting muffed up. What I do is set a partition aside for all my crap I feel I need at the time and do all my installs to it. That way, if something is corrupt, I don't have to reinstall windows. And, If I do, Then all my downloads and programs are on the other partition. I use an onslaught of tools to clean up my system and have secondary drives for storage and installs.

 

Ah've foun a good floormat can hid bunchs of stuff!

 

Don't suppose you have a name for this tool?

Jimbob

 

Maybe it's one of these http://anti-fatigue.com/SafetyMats.htm

 

LMAO, didn't see the typo untill you made that comment

Jimbob

 

I half heartedly voted yes. It depends on what computer is used for. I have all my utilities on CD and could reformat at the drop of a hat as I use my computer for pleasure only.

 

I normally use my computer to a state until it is no longer fixable then i format it...

 

After install my trial of Oupost,for wathever the reason i have to reformat,all my programs work badly and i have no choice,reformat,now i have 1 week since i reformat but i reformat my PC in only 9 hours because i have all the back-ups and all aspects of my PC all lock in a box,the only thing that made my sick is downloading the SP2,is the only thing that i hate when i reformat.

 

formatting should only be a last resort, however, i do format on a weekly or regular basis so it is nothing for me. i already have a seperate drive/partition for my data and every 2 weeks or every month, ill burn my data to cds. the only problem is finding a free weekend when i can do the format.

 

exactly,i think made this same choice of action,reformating my PC 3 times in a year(every 4 months)this is a very safe way to get protected and running smooth,