We have found over the last 3-years that much time can be wasted in trying to cure computer ills!  Reformatting of the hard-drive has been known to be the last resort used in order to speed up a computer.  Although reformatting of the hard-drive should not be the initial method used to cure your "sick" computer we feel it should be the second or third option used.

TUNE IT UP!!

If your computer is more than a year old reformat should be very seriously considered.  Below is a list of machine "tune-ups" that can be tried instead of reformatting. 

Other Computer Speed-up Methods:

• Repair of the operating system
• Tune-up of the registry
• Empty the recycle bin 
• Cleaning of Spyware
• Cleaning of Viruses
• Defragmentation of the Hard-Drive
• Take operating system to "Safe-mode"
• Reinstallation of Drivers
• Removal of temporary files
• Removal of culprit trouble programs

MICROSOFT TUNE-UP TIPS

According to Microsoft... By following a few simple guidelines, you can maintain your computer and keep it running smoothly. This article discusses how to use the tools available in Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) and Windows Vista to more efficiently maintain your computer and safeguard your privacy when you're online. Microsoft Tune-up Tips

Why our belief is to reformat?

All of the above issues are corrected by reformatting of the Hard-Drive.  In a single step the computer is wiped clean of viruses and spyware.  In a single-step the hard-drive is defragmented.  In a single-step the registry is wiped clean.

The downside of reformatting?

All your program will need to be reinstalled. Your document files will need to be backed up and transfered to the drive after reformatting.

How to prepare for the next reformat?

Your system should be reformatted on an annual basis to keep it running in a "Like-new" fashion.  There are tools available to the market-place to put off a reformat as long as possible, however after a year or two the inevitable need to reformat will occur. 

What determines my need for reformat?

Ideally to not have a need to reformat would require not adding or deleting programs or documents to your computer. Keep your hard-drive unchanged.  Not very practical is it?

Will Antivirus programs prohibit the need to reformat?

No,  Antivirus programs find, quarantine, and destroy viruses.  Keep in mind these programs will help in prohibiting viruses from attacking your computer, however they will not stop the day-to-day adding and deleting of files from your computer.  Also keep in mind antivirus programs Do make computers run more slowly.  Think about it... When you have an antivirus program running it filters all files coming into or leaving your computer.  This takes time...Hence computer slow-down.

Will Anti-Spyware programs eliminate the need to reformat?

No, Spyware programs find a "hit-list" of Black-listed cookies and registry entries.  They stop outside interests from monitoring your internet surfing patterns however day-to-day adding and deleting of files still takes place on your computer.

Will Defragmenting my Hard-Drive eliminate the need to reformat?

Defragmenting your hard-drive can help prolong the need to reformat.  Defragmenting is a process of packing bits of information together on the hard-drive platter.  Performed on a regular basis, approximately weekly, this can help keep your computer running at faster speeds.  

Will firewalls eliminate the need to reformat?

No, Firewalls are designed to prohibit unwelcome visitors from visiting your computer when on-line. To understand firewalls we must study how the internet operates.  It's really not that difficult to understand but lets first get down to the basics. 

The internet email can be compared to post office letters and mail.   Why is it when you receive a letter through the post office almost 100% of the time it has your name and address on it?  Thats because we all have home mailing addresses.  Encoded in our home mailing address is a number of coded messages that pin-point to the US post office exactly where we live.

My Mailing Address:

Included in our mailing address is this information:

• Country - USA
• State - IL
• Town - Chicago
• Street -Michigan Ave.
• What Street Block - 1100
• What House in the Block - 34
• Who at the address - John Smith

As you can see our mailing address pinpoints the mail carrier directly to our house by separating the world into finer and finer detailed bits of information.  It is a matter of sectioning parameters.

My Internet Address:

Whenever we are on the internet the machine we are accessing the internet from has been been given an "IP" (Internet Protocol) internet address.  Just like our mailing address an internet IP address provides the following information.

• What country I am from
• What state do I live in
• What city do I live in
• What internet access provider do I use
• What Channel of this internet access provider am I using
• What is my home mailing address
• Who in this home has access to the internet
• Who am I

A full graphical explanation of Internet IP can be found here:  IP Address Explanation

Reformat is like Changing your Car's Oil! 

Think of it like an annual oil-change.  Would'nt it be nice if your car ran a whole year without having to change the oil.