I'm thinking of uninstalling then reinstalling the operating system in my new computer. I have Webroot Spyware which has been giving me trouble almost from the first weeks of operation. Now it doesn't work at all. Another problem was picking up a "bug" which caused the computer to automatically jump to a Googel web-site whenever I clicked a different web-site location. Even clicking to open an e-mail letter would send me to an unwanted Googel web-site. I fixed that problem by restoring the computer to the date I first brought the computer home. This has "deactivated" the bug, but did not restore Spyware to a healthy function. When I simply tried to uninstall Spyware I'm given the message:" Uninstall file missing. Cannot uninstall". So how dangerous is it for me, someone with little software handling ability, to uninstall then reinstall the operating system? The Geeks at Best Buy told me all I had to do was insert the CD with the Vista Operating System into the computer. That easy?
Thanks everyone for the help. This is the first I've heard of "Windows rot" and I'm not quite sure I understand it. Does it mean that if I should ever need to uninstall and reinstall Vista a few times, each time the computer might slow down even more?
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6 responses so far ↓
1 monkeydamour // Jul 26, 2008
All versions of Windows suffer from a phenomenon (acknowledged by Microsoft) called "Windows Rot". It leads to PCs slowing down over time due to leftover bits of code from installs and uninstalls, registry errors, etc. You can reinstall the software but you will eventually have to reinstall it again. It should be an easy (though lengthy) process to reinstall the OS. As Gary mentioned, be sure to back up your important data!
I suggest getting a Macintosh when it comes time to upgrade. They do not suffer from this.
2 Gary // Jul 26, 2008
Yes thats all you have to do but you will lose all your data in the process of reinstalling the operating system because it requires you to format your hard drive. I suggest you backup your files before you reinstall vista if you want to keep the data on your pc.
Hope I helped
3 Calan W // Jul 26, 2008
Well it is safe if you backup your files, however as stated above windows speed does deteriorate and become slower also know as 'windows rot'. You can install and uninstall windows if your system a lot and it will run fine.
But as someone said above go with MAC. I have always had a Windows PC and when we got MAC at a building at work we haven't touched them since they were installed because we couldn't work them, if you can adaprt to an OS quickly then it will be fine but if you can't you struggle.
4 erfahren // Jul 26, 2008
actually you most likely could just use the recovery function (different from the Windows system restore)
the recovery function will reinstall the OS and restore the PC back to the way it was when it left the factory - it's a little easier than using the Restore CD's (but basically does the same thing)
you usually press a key when the computer boots to start the process - for information on how to start the process you can check you manual (look in the "All Programs" menu for it) or go to the support section of the manufacturer's website and look for "recovery options"
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5 akis aka Exoskeletor // Jul 26, 2008
First always backup your files you want to keep.
Then yes its a simple thing and NO you dont have to format your hdd if you dont want. this is silly, when you have a problem with your car you dont throw your car away and you buy a new one, you fix the problem.
Insert the vista dvd, boot from it and follow the steps but in the new installation try to be more sure of what you will install, dont install programs that you are not 100% sure you will need them.
6 Prateek // Jul 26, 2008
Well it is safe if you backup your files, however as stated above windows speed does deteriorate and become slower also know as 'windows rot'. You can install and uninstall windows if your system a lot and it will run fine.
But as someone said above go with MAC. I have always had a Windows PC and when we got MAC at a building at work we haven't touched them since they were installed because we couldn't work them, if you can adaprt to an OS quickly then it will be fine but if you can't you struggle.
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