Clean Re-Installs

[Pablo 54]

Well, the interesting thing is when I first installed all of my Win7 upgrade copies, every HDD or SSD was new and clean and I didn't have a problem. It seems to be only an issue with the second re-install on those same machines.

[James86]

Well that's good at least ya didn't have to call India

[GIBSON]

Well, the interesting thing is when I first installed all of my Win7 upgrade copies, every HDD or SSD was new and clean and I didn't have a problem. It seems to be only an issue with the second re-install on those same machines.

Maybe they think your copy might be pirated when you're re-installing it more than they seem fit? (e.g. more than twice in 3 years or so.. Though I thought they used some sort of hardware key for that?
Reminds me of stories where people changing their motherboard couldn't reinstall windows as their copy was 'attached' to the old motherboard according to their one copy per physical system philosophy..)

Going off-topic here, but I've always found the idea of an OS upgrade strange.. Giving something so fundamental 'an upgrade' sounds like lots of trouble ahead. Remembering how a simple service pack could ruin an OS..

[Blacksmith1]

Well it's apparently that season, I'm about to do mine again. I'm switching out to Xp 64 bit again. I know it has problems but with these vid cards I'm down to 2GB of system memory. I want my other 2 gb working for me. I know some people say you won't see the difference but I get alot more system stalls now than I used to before I around 2 gb of video mem with those cards... installing all the apps after is gonna suck.

[ibdabloke]

I try to keep an image of an OS only install plus patches/fixes on hand. I use it on a re-install (around a year or so), add any patches since it was created and then make a new image for the next time. Then finish with installing my apps and such to the hard drive and start the cycle all over.

[Blacksmith1]

If I had a drive big enough laying around. I'd do a complete back up right now. with my "first to load" apps and games installed with drivers and all. that way the "work" part of it would be done. i gotta say tho. this was the fastest load and update I ever did on windows. i guess doubling my internet speed payed off.

[PP Mguire]

Every few weeks for me. I'm either doing alot of hardware swapping or just feel like formatting to clean everything up.

[rrplay]

I usually re-install Windows about 8-9 months , it just seems to run a bit better.And as a bonus I get rid of a lot of Cr^p I no longer need & important data back-up. That would be the main reasons for te re-install cycle.When I do a lot of general surfing or on-line stuff I prefer to use a Linux system that depends on what I'm doing

[Gizmo-guy]

I just did a clean install of Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit on the 1st of this month. I was running Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit, but found out it was an illegal copy when Service Pack 1 came out, I purchased it from an on-line auction house! I was being lazy on re-installing!

[PP Mguire]

I just did a clean install of Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit on the 1st of this month. I was running Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit, but found out it was an illegal copy when Service Pack 1 came out, I purchased it from an on-line auction house! I was being lazy on re-installing!

Lol wouldn't matter if it was illegal or not long as you didn't download the malicious software detector. That is specifically made to weed out the pirated copies.

[Gizmo-guy]

Lol wouldn't matter if it was illegal or not long as you didn't download the malicious software detector. That is specifically made to weed out the pirated copies.

My Brother was running a copy he had bought from the same on-line auction house, as soon as he updated to Service Pack 1 he was notified it was an illegal copy. Windows 7 SP1 Will Detect Over 70 Activation Cracks!

[PP Mguire]

My Brother was running a copy he had bought from the same on-line auction house, as soon as he updated to Service Pack 1 he was notified it was an illegal copy. Windows 7 SP1 Will Detect Over 70 Activation Cracks!

I know.

[Dragon]

I have always broken the back of my OS's I owned. Reason for this is because everytime I install a new component or switch out a major component I do not have to "Re-verify" and then find out that I "Reached the limits of activation" Forcing me to buy another copy of Windows. This happened once with XP, and from that point on I did not allow it to happen. I bought my copies, I should not have to ask for permission to activate it, every time I feel like redoing my computer. I get a virus, I don't spend countless hours trying to get rid of it only to find out my computer is not right I just wipe the HDD and start all over, If I change out a video card it is my right to do so, or a HDD, motherboard, or what ever I choose.

[tates11]

I usually go for a clean reinstall depending on the performance of my PC which would usually go slow for about 6-8 months.

Usually caused by a virus infection =.="

[peti1212]

Virus infections are usually the reasons why I reinstall my system all the time, though I rarely get viruses. I usually reinstall the system as much as I need to depending on what I'm testing, because you always want to have a reliable testing station when it comes to proper reviews. So for those that always wondered, we reinstall our systems quite often just to make sure our systems are clean and there are no performance issues when we test new hardware.