a noob question about computers getting worn out

[funkyworms]

DO NOT use the "quick format" option if you decide to reformat an NTFS partition.

[xxThe_Lebowskixx]

ok, i bought this dell in the usa and now i live somewhere else, so i used a bootleg windows XP CD, now everything is screwed up. it isnt showing my Lan Card or Wireless cards.

i talked to my mom and she cant find a windows startup disk with my stuff, which means 99% that it never came with one as Crfergu mentioned. Is it still possible for me to do what CrFergu suggested?

I clicked f12 on starting it up and the options are

Internal HDD -- Is this what I want?
CD/DVD/CD-RW Drive
Cardbus NIC
Onboard NIC

Bios Setup
Diagnostics

[RedBean]

[ QUOTE ]

I clicked f12 on starting it up and the options are


[/ QUOTE ]

press ctrl+f11 (not f12) during the bootup and it will take you into the factory re-install dialog.

[Slap My Jack]

What exactly is getting slower? How are you maxing out your RAM, is the CPU under more intensive load? Are you defragmenting your HD? Is this an issue with your postgresql database getting bigger and the HD being too slow? Do you vacuum/analyze it regularly?

[buckslayer80]

[ QUOTE ]
DO NOT use the "quick format" option if you decide to reformat an NTFS partition.

[/ QUOTE ]

Uhhhh why not?

[funkyworms]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
DO NOT use the "quick format" option if you decide to reformat an NTFS partition.

[/ QUOTE ]

Uhhhh why not?

[/ QUOTE ]

Because I can almost guarantee that his computer has never been formatted before and has never run a chkdsk /f.

[cbloom]

BTW re-installing windows for this is like putting up pictures with a sledgehammer.

Defrag the disk.

Make sure you aren't running a lot of software you don't want. Just go to "Add/Remove Programs" and uninstall anything you don't use or you don't recognize.

Run "Adaware" and tell it to delete everything it finds.

Run a good antivirus with rootkit search (like AVG).

Run a startup inspector, I like "Startup Control Panel" but there are many. Look at all the junk in there and disable anything that looks funny. This is a semi-expert step the other steps are quite easy.

Also I would back up anything important before doing anything severe to a machine, you don't need to back up your programs just your data.

[buckslayer80]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
DO NOT use the "quick format" option if you decide to reformat an NTFS partition.

[/ QUOTE ]

Uhhhh why not?

[/ QUOTE ]

Because I can almost guarantee that his computer has never been formatted before and has never run a chkdsk /f.

[/ QUOTE ]

All the old sectors are irrelevant on a fresh install regardless of the formatting option.