Tried to clean up my system on my own but it's no dice. Too much gunk on the drive. I hope someone here knows more than I do.

I think I have to wipe my system (XP) and start from scratch but I'm afraid of screwing up the whole thing, is there a safe way to do this?

There was a program I heard about (but can't seem to find on any search engine) where you can load you particulars onto a CD, making it sort of a super boot disk, then re-install Win-XP, add your CD to it and it's like new. Did I dream it or is that possible?

I'm okay with reloading the stuff that takes up lots of space, MS-Word and all that, and I got nothing sensitive or expensive to lose besides. But there's two years of accumulation and stuff that never uninstalls for some reason. I'd like to clean it up safe. I appreciate any suggestions.

This computer's like an old mut I had. Real friendly but I hate cleaning up after it.

If you have a computer from an OEM it probably came with a restore disk, but I'd just reinstall windows, install drivers, then install your programs. There's not really much to it. Try this site if you're not confident or want to brush up: http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp Just make sure you back up all your stuff onto a CD and make sure you have all the programs you use before you reinstall.

I know of a program that does something similar to what you are talking about called nlite, but AFAIK it won't install your applications. I use it just to trim the fat from windows. There is this site: http://unattended.msfn.org/unattended.xp/ which explains how you can make an unattended install and have it isntall all your programs. But trust me, it is far more easier just to do it the old fashioned way. That guide is really intended for a more advanced audience but you can give it a try if you like.

If you don't want to reinstall, try googling for crap cleaner and easycleaner. They will clean alot of useless garbage from you computer. If you have some extra cash check out diskeeper because that will defragment your hard drive(the built in defragger doesn't work, seriously it's so buggy it's useless.)

I hope that helps you.

If you have a computer from an OEM it probably came with a restore disk, but I'd just reinstall windows, install drivers, then install your programs. There's not really much to it. Try this site if you're not confident or want to brush up: http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp Just make sure you back up all your stuff onto a CD and make sure you have all the programs you use before you reinstall.

I know of a program that does something similar to what you are talking about called nlite, but AFAIK it won't install your applications. I use it just to trim the fat from windows. There is this site: http://unattended.msfn.org/unattended.xp/ which explains how you can make an unattended install and have it isntall all your programs. But trust me, it is far more easier just to do it the old fashioned way. That guide is really intended for a more advanced audience but you can give it a try if you like.

Also, try googling for crap cleaner and easycleaner. They will clean alot of useless garbage from you computer. If you have some extra cash check out diskeeper because that will defragment your hard drive(the built in defragger doesn't work, seriously it's so buggy it's useless.)

I hope that helps you.

nlite! I couldn't think of it. That was it, now I remember. Thanks. I don't even know when I read about it but it sounds like it might be better than a full reinstall.

I've been piddling with it in stages since I got another project going. I worry about the crap that just never leaves. I installed a simple zip creator thing a long time ago, and it still turns up. I can clean it out, uninstall, whatever. Nothing happens. Still there.

Gates needs to make a program called Windows Enema or something to keep the pipes clean. McKafee's cleanup programs ain't good enough.

This program is called crap cleaner. http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/ this is a great program, I use it every week.

Can be found with many other programs at WWW.filehippo.com

This program is called crap cleaner. http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/ this is a great program, I use it every week.

Can be found with many other programs at WWW.filehippo.com (http://www.filehippo.com)

Thanks, TC. Exactly what I'm trying to clean too.

Thank you very much for this great freeware. :) All the stuff I downloaded in the past started giving me shit about that I had to pay.

Tried to clean up my system on my own but it's no dice. Too much gunk on the drive. I hope someone here knows more than I do.

I think I have to wipe my system (XP) and start from scratch but I'm afraid of screwing up the whole thing, is there a safe way to do this?

There was a program I heard about (but can't seem to find on any search engine) where you can load you particulars onto a CD, making it sort of a super boot disk, then re-install Win-XP, add your CD to it and it's like new. Did I dream it or is that possible?

I'm okay with reloading the stuff that takes up lots of space, MS-Word and all that, and I got nothing sensitive or expensive to lose besides. But there's two years of accumulation and stuff that never uninstalls for some reason. I'd like to clean it up safe. I appreciate any suggestions.

This computer's like an old mut I had. Real friendly but I hate cleaning up after it.

Generally it's a good idea to reformat every year or every couple of years, depending on how your system is running. I recommend a second hard drive just used as a back-up, where you can store critical files.

Generally it's a good idea to reformat every year or every couple of years, depending on how your system is running. I recommend a second hard drive just used as a back-up, where you can store critical files.

Actually, Jim, that was my first idea. Thing is I'm gunshy to mess with a unit that's worked so smooth. Hate too mess up a good thing. But it creaks a bit, showing its age.

What slows your system down is a tonne of crap in the "Temp" folder. In XP it is in:

Documents & Settings -> "your username" - > Local Settings (hidden folder) -> Temp. Delete everything in it every week or so - the system works considerably better.

Other stuff to clean:

Documents & Settings -> "your username" - > Local Settings (hidden folder) -> Temporary Internet Files (in case you use Internet Explorer, which is bad enough in itself). Delete everything in it every week or so.

Uninstall anything you don't need from Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs.

Get Spybot Search and Destroy (http://www.safer-networking.org/) - antyspyware, free, so far the best.

Get AVG antivirus - www.grisoft.com (http://www.grisoft.com) - free, really the best.

And you are set.

Get AVG antivirus - www.grisoft.com (http://www.grisoft.com) - free, really the best.

And you are set.
I agree with you, Bolg. I use AVG (http://free.grisoft.com) on my Windows machines. Apparently they have a version for Linux also.

And it is a good idea to use a software firewall too.

Get Spybot Search and Destroy (http://www.safer-networking.org/) - antyspyware, free, so far the best.

Thank you, Bolg. Now that was interesting. I expected tons of spybots but had none. McKaffe took care of that at least.

On the OTHER hand, I can wipe some of the old junkware I installed on this thing 2 years back AND IT'S STILL THERE. 2-3 times, reboot, and it won't go away. I think I got around the wiping part though, which is good. The second drive Jim Crowe suggested is a better option for me.

This is sort of a re-education project for me. I built a PC out of shelf parts in 1994 and it was great fun, and I forgot everything I learned. Plus, hard drives were really small then.

I remember the first time I saw a 40 gig and said, wow, they'll never get bigger than that.

Thank you, Bolg. Now that was interesting. I expected tons of spybots but had none. McKaffe took care of that at least.

On the OTHER hand, I can wipe some of the old junkware I installed on this thing 2 years back AND IT'S STILL THERE. 2-3 times, reboot, and it won't go away. I think I got around the wiping part though, which is good. The second drive Jim Crowe suggested is a better option for me.

This is sort of a re-education project for me. I built a PC out of shelf parts in 1994 and it was great fun, and I forgot everything I learned. Plus, hard drives were really small then.

I remember the first time I saw a 40 gig and said, wow, they'll never get bigger than that.
I forgot to mention - one of the important things to do when you clean virii/spyware and stuff that alters the registry is to turn off System restore:

Right click on My Computer -> Properties -> System restore.

Turn it off, reboot in Safe Mode (pres F8 during boot), and then clean the stuff you want gone. Otherwise it just restores itself. When you are done, boot in normal mode and turn System Restore back on. Or leave it off - it just consumes lots of space and seldom works...

Building your own PC is great fun and a good training. Good luck with that!

There are some linux distro's on CD too, among them Mandrake Move and Knoppix. They are free - try some of them, you might like it. And you will be free from the Necrosoft grip.

I agree with you, Bolg. I use AVG (http://free.grisoft.com) on my Windows machines. Apparently they have a version for Linux also.

And it is a good idea to use a software firewall too.
Yes, it is a great software and extremely light. I haven't looked at the Linux version - I use Clamav on my Linux PC. Not that there are many Linux virii:)