When will people learn?

Question

that they DO NOT have to reformat a drive when there is a small problem such as a virus? All anyone needs to do is to run the spyware and anti-virus programs in safe mode to keep the virus/malware/trojans from hiding in a running application.

Also when someones computer starts to run slow, the first thing everyone says is to reformat the drive, this is unnecessary, and leads to other problems like drivers not being updated.
the 2 best things to start with is to go to START>RUN and type in %temp% and delete everything found there, then go back into the RUN command and type in prefetch and again delete everything there.

My question is when will people learn you DO NOT automatically have to reformat the drive for every little problem

Answer 1

I still am wondering why people here on Y!A always call it "formatting" or "reformatting". I've always known it as "re-installing" ('cause if you just format you end up with just a empty, formatted disk.) It's two different things is what I'm saying. I've never seen the word "formatting" used so much anywhere as it is here.

I often tell folks to do cleaning, but I think there are definitely times when just doing a complete reinstall would be better in the long run. I've browsed through security forums and sometimes people's PCs are so screwed up it would take the same amount of time to clean them as it would to reinstall. After reinstalling you have a fresh start and can focus on adequate prevention.

The situation with the drivers does need mentioning though. That can be daunting for a newbie. For brand name PCs, doing a system recovery is a bit easier in that aspect since the correct drivers will at least be present (albiet possibly outdated).

The other thing I just don't get is that when people say they need to reinstall for whatever reason (the choice is theirs, remember) and don't have the disks people answer with "you're screwed, go buy the disks" type thing. Most brand name PCs don't come with disks anymore, but provide a way to burn off one set. As long as they haven't been burned off they (usually) still can.

anyway, that's my $.02 on the subject!
_

Answer 2

*Clap*
Though... sometimes it feels soooo good to start a fresh.
Of course after you've done everything you can possibly do for it. I like to think of machines as people in that respect.
It's no good using a defibrillator for low blood pressure because it's only going to make matters worse.

Good rant. We should have councelling together!

Answer 3

Hi priya

i suppose your are sharing your MCSE lessons with us

ain't it?

Yes I agree with you, but still people find formatting the pc simpler then downloading anti viruses & all

You can also defragment your drive regularly to keep it fast
Don't download any program you find on internet, just keep the necessary one.

Answer 4

Is this a rhetorical question and you just want to rant, or are you really wanting to know the exact date that people will stop frustrating you and learn how to fix simple computer problems?

Answer 5

Because it's generally the cure-all (Albeit temporary) solution.

Answer 6

Lets go outside and get a life

Answer 7

sorry little miss gates but thanks for the heads up say no to formatting say no to formatting i with ya say no to formatting am i doing good say no to formatting

Answer 8

about whom are you asking.
if computer literates then soon.

Answer 9

Ok,and what is your question exactly?

Answer 10

this is a rant............not a question..............other places for this...