How often you format?

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Nocturnal

Lifer
Jan 8, 2002
18,927
0
76
I only format when needed. I used to format maybe twice a week before. But now that I have such a huge HDD, I rarely ever format. Even if I'm getting pop up windows saying something is missing/broke, I don't format unless my computer can't even boot.
 

VTrider

Golden Member
Nov 21, 1999
1,358
0
0
I use to have that format bug and do it 3 - 4 times a year. The machine I'm currently working on has been running 98SE for well over a year now - it's sort of an enigma. It has been the most stable system I ever had (98SE, BX chipset), i've must of installed/uninstalled countless trash in the past 15+ months and it still rarely crashes. I'm a true believer in 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it!', if I ever re-format this PC, it will never be the same again!

I also had a friend (you probably know people like this) who seemingly every time I talked to him was in the process of re-formatting his hard drive! Poor chap, probably spent so much time doing so, never really enjoyed his programs or his system (he's probably re-formatting right now).

-VTrider
 

brainalien

Member
Feb 6, 2001
29
0
0
I built my system Feb. last year and it's been rock solid since then. Of course, I've added new hardware, games and such, but still works great. Why screw up a good thing.
 

Woody419

Senior member
Sep 22, 2001
770
0
0
Whenever I upgrade, usually once every 2 years, any more is obsessive-compulsive behavior.
 

insdav3

Senior member
Jan 21, 2002
293
0
0
heh.... if i get too much pr0n scattered around, I format. If I have a bunch of random divx's that i dont need... too many unused programs.... stupid demos..... I format. Hope this helps you
(but the average i format is like 3-5 months)
 

Superwormy

Golden Member
Feb 7, 2001
1,637
0
0
I format whenever my computer needs it (ie i get too many crashes or runs too slow or i run out of hd space... etc)

If you run Win98 or NT/2K, formatting every 6 or 8 months really does provide a great performance boost, windblows kills itself after a while. Can't speak for XP, but I imagine its even worse with all that integrated pretty arse crap added. Oh and ME, that shoudl be formatted AS SOON AS IST INSTALLED, cuase it dont even deserve to exsist.
 

4824guy

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
3,102
0
0
I use Drive Image, so that save me alot of hassles and problems.

I only do a clean installed about every 1 1/2 year
 

S0me1X

Golden Member
Jan 9, 2000
1,480
0
0
I don't neccessarily "reformat" very often. I create a Ghost image of a clean install (minimum apps, only service pack2 and via 4in1s) and I restore this ghost image quite often, since it can be done very quickly.
 

BFG10K

Lifer
Aug 14, 2000
22,709
3,000
126
I only format if I upgrade operating systems or change my motherboard.
 

thraxes

Golden Member
Nov 4, 2000
1,974
0
0
About twice a year. Last year I almos made it with only one format, but then W2K crapped out on me 1 week before new year :disgust:
 

Fjive

Senior member
May 15, 2001
456
0
76
can be as little as 2 times a year...or as many as 5 times a year...
only format when something goes wrong...heh
 

Slacker

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
8,623
33
91
Havent formatted my main drive in a loooong time, my current winxp install has roots in win3.1
 

Ducksoup

Member
Oct 18, 2000
25
0
0
About 2-3 times a year. I find it rather strange how soon you forget about the way the system was set up before the format.
 

Wolfsraider

Diamond Member
Jan 27, 2002
8,305
0
76
hmmmm...I also had a friend (you probably know people like this) who seemingly every time I talked to him was in the process of re-formatting his hard drive! Poor chap, probably spent so much time doing so, never really enjoyed his programs or his system (he's probably re-formatting right now).

how do you know me?

j/k

until xp i formatted a lot about 1 a month lol

but now 1 time i believe since i installed xp (had a virus screwing up everything lol) and that was sept?
 

S0me1X

Golden Member
Jan 9, 2000
1,480
0
0


<< Havent formatted my main drive in a loooong time, my current winxp install has roots in win3.1 >>



Considering the size and speed of the average hard drive in Win3.1's time, it would seem wise to get a new hard drive for your OS.
 
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