op. system install / re-install steps
print a copy of this file
print a copy of computer notes
export browser Fav's / bookmarks
back-up files, programs ;
power down
disconnect network and external drives
power up
delete tif files ( temp internet files ) and cookies;
un-install programs;
delete folders;
delete accounts
empty recycle bin
restart computer
Go to BIOS and set boot order with CD boot 1st
place O.S. CD in CD drive, 'cept don't close it
power down
close CD drive with O.S. CD in it
restart computer
format primary HDD;
( Fn + F10 ) = disc eject ( DELL )
install op. system;
adjust screen resolution;
load software for external drives and hardware;
test for internet connection;
install additional programs as necessary
If your computer is several years old, consider buying a new hard drive for the fresh install of the op. sys..
When re-installing the o.s., allocate 15gb (15000mb) of space for the op. sys.. Format in NTFS. Partition the rest of the hard drive in 7000mb to 20000mb allocations creating up to 10 partitions. Then, after you boot, you can allocate / format the rest of the hard drive under disk management;
>(r-clik) my computer
> manage
> disk management
Allocate +/- 7 to 20 gb of space for each partition, format in NTFS.
Install additional software (Adobe pdf reader, Java R.E., printer, wireless adaptor, office suite, web browser, widgets,etc.) to a low capacity partition.
AVOID installing to the partition that host's the op.sys.. AVOID storing anything in the user account “My Documents” folder as that will consume space in the host partition.
Download software to a low capacity partition, install software and programs to another low capacity partition. Create and download documents to another partition. Store music and images and other media files on another partition.
leave at least one partition unused, for migration. At least once a year, migrate your stuff to a unused partition, (especially if you do a lot of document creating, editing, deleting), then format the abandoned partition, for the next time.
With only the op. sys. on the hosting partition, and other file types separated by partitions, it will be easier for your computer to run the op., and easier to run everything else. Also, the search feature will work much faster as you will only have to search a partition for the file you want to find.
And, with your files and software on other partitions, your stuff is already in back-up, and the next op. Sys. Re-install will be already half done and much easier to do and you will only have to format the host partition and not the whole hard drive
Also, increase your RAM to at least double of mfg. Configure or even max it.
http://www.gtopala.com/siw-download.html
Check the RAM and CPU load with the task manager to determine if you need to increase the RAM capacity;
1st> (r-clik) taskbar
2> task manager
3> performance
Get widgets to monitor the RAM load and CPU load
http://downloads.yahoo.com/
To be more thorough, “wipe” the hard drive before the op. Sys. Install with DBAN
http://www.answers.com/topic/darik-s-boo…
Use Eraser to overwrite the contents of the recycle bin instead of emptying the recycle bin;
1st> Open Eraser
2> clik explorer tab near bottom left
3> clik recycle bin in the the explorer tree to show contents of recycle bin
4> edit > select all
5> drag and hold contents over the eraser tab
The explorer closes and eraser opens
6> drag contents back to the eraser que, drop contents
7> set eraser to make one pass;
Edit > preferences > erasing > pseudorandom data > OK
8> (r-clik) eraser que> run all > close
http://portableapps.com/apps/utilities/e…
Occasionally use ccleaner for maintenance purposes;
http://www.filehippo.com/download_cclean…
Occasionally, create a new user account, copy / paste contents from the current user account, to the new user account, then delete the old user account
http://puppylinux.org/main/
pg