Is there a way to back-up an OS (windows XP)?

Question

My sisters computer is performing slowly, is there a way to back up the os, wipe the hard drive and start fresh. or is there a another way to get around this problem

Answer 1

1) You can't backup the OS, you need the installation CD.
2) if you open "my computer", right click on the C drive, select properties, click "disk cleanup".
3) once that's done, open "my computer", right click on the C drive, select properties, click on Tools, then click "Defragment Now".
4) Go to Start, run, type in "msconfig", then reduce the number of programs running at startup.

Answer 2

When a system is running to slow there are usually a couple of reasons. 1. To many programs,processes, and services that are loading when Windows load/boots, and are running in the background. 2. You may be infected with spyware. 3. all of the above. But fear not, this can be cured.

First the boot problem. To reduce the amount of programs that load with Windows, read the following:

To control what starts with Windows:

Click Start and then Run. (Vista – Start>All Programs>Accessories>Run). In the run box, type "msconfig" without the quotes and then hit "Enter". This will open the System Configuration Utility. Click the "Startup" tab. Now remove the check mark from any and all programs that you do not want to start or "boot" with Windows. Now click apply and then click OK.

You will need to restart your system. When the system starts you will see a box stating that you used the Config. utility, put a check in "Don't show this box at startup".

That should do it.

Do not remove any check marks from your security software. You want it to load with your operating system.
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Next you need to check for spyware, etc. To do this you need to download and run a couple of anti spyware programs. Here are a couple of links to sites where you can download this software. Oh, by the way, it's free.

Adaware

http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-SE-Personal-Edition/3000-8022_4-10045910.html?part=dl-ad-aware&subj=dl&tag=top5

Spybot S&D

http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-Destroy/3000-8022-10122137.html?part=dl-spybot&subj=dl&tag=but
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As, it is always a good idea to run your anti virus software about once a week. Just in case.....

I hope that this helps.

Answer 3

There some apps which slows Windows down:
http://www.thepcspy.com/read/what_slows_windows_down/3

And here some advice:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ArxuK6OCR5RKwBNgyPp_dcpo7hR.?qid=20070905123454AAj2Uow

I think than clonning is the most suitable way if you want to refrash your pc. There are a lot of software which can help you. You can try 3rd party software (e.g. True Image or smth like that).

Answer 4

run the cleandisk utilityand the disk degragment and it should give it a boost of power you can access it through system tools

Answer 5

look like you got malware or spayware
try to clean it, i usualy use spybot

after your system back to normal, try to gosh it, so anytime your computer get crash just make it back with your gosh, no need to reinstall and quick