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6. Start over, by reinstalling the OS entirely
It's become an accepted truth that the Windows operating system (OS) just needs to be reinstalled sometimes, but both Linux and Mac OS X can benefit from a fresh start, as well. Back up all your personal data to an external hard drive and break out your OS installation or system recovery discs (these come with your computer). Pop them in the DVD drive (or CD drive if the PC we're rescuing is that old), and follow the directions.
If you're running a particularly old PC, consider making the leap from OS X or Windows to Linux. It runs much faster on slower hardware than its more popular commercial competition does.
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Comments
7
Subscribe to commentsChristineFeb 12th 2009 3:39PM
I am not a tech-savvy person. How do I back up files (including all the email I've saved on AOL) if I want to reinstall my Windows XP to make my computer faster? My Gateway computer is 5 years old.
TerrenceFeb 12th 2009 4:20PM
Christine, if your e-mails are on AOL there is no need to back them up they're online and not on your PC. As for your local files, simply buy an external hard drive and copy your documents etc. to it, or you can burn them to a CD.
VickiFeb 13th 2009 5:04PM
What about all the software I've downloaded? Wouldn't that be wiped out?
job1866Feb 16th 2009 9:08AM
Don't do a format if you don't have to. you'd lose everything. It ticks me off the way these idiots throw around formatting like its no big deal. It's extremely time consuming and should be used as a last resort. Any time I had a comp prob I used to call Dell's award winning service and support of idiots. I got so tired of their inane solutions and their incredible stupidity, I went and figured out any and all of my comp problems on my own, I pretty much had to.
sbntgFeb 16th 2009 1:50PM
Vicki, you will have to reinstall all of your software programs if you reformat your hard drive. The only thing backing up your hard drive does is it save your files associated with your programs, it does not save the programs themselves. You will have to reload them from your CD's or DVD's or download them from the websites.
Andrea HaynesFeb 19th 2009 3:56PM
I really appreciate all of these comments. I was apprehensive about uninstalling my OS; a couple of your comments confirmed my apprehensions. I am not going that route! Thanks.
magius888Feb 20th 2009 1:13PM
I disagree with the advice on switching to Linux...chances are, if you're reading this article, then you do not have the expertise to operate Linux.