Spring cleaning

Post by **Dr. kitteny berk** » August 8th, 2007, 17:04

Killavodka wrote:no it isnt, ive had to format many times due to Windows shitting itself

It really is shit advice.

There are *very* few legit reasons to format a HDD, not to mention it's usually considerably faster to fix issues than reinstall windows.

eion · Post by **eion** » August 8th, 2007, 17:13

Dr. kitteny berk wrote:There are *very* few legit reasons to format a HDD, not to mention it's usually considerably faster to fix issues than reinstall windows.

And there's the risk of data loss, which for most people is a very big deal.

Not to mention that in this case, the likely alternative to dead RAM seems to be a hard drive problem. If you can tell me how formatting and reinstalling will help with that, I'd like to know. Really.

If you've had to format "many times" due to Windows fucking up, you're doing something wrong. To put things into perspective, my main work machine hasn't had a reinstall since I bought it in February 2004. It still works beautifully. The last time I reinstalled my other machine was to go back from Fista RC1 to Windows XP, but I'm not even sure whether I formatted beforehand.

Post by **Dr. kitteny berk** » August 8th, 2007, 17:19

eion wrote:If you've had to format "many times" due to Windows fucking up, you're doing something wrong. To put things into perspective, my main work machine hasn't had a reinstall since I bought it in February 2004. It still works beautifully. The last time I reinstalled my other machine was to go back from Fista RC1 to Windows XP, but I'm not even sure whether I formatted beforehand.

Hard.

Though, personally I reinstall windows a lot more often than eion, but that is usually due to hardware changes or windows borkages that can be fixed, but I'm to lazy to. (also because my machine is set-up in such a manner that it's difficult for me to lose essential porn)

However, for other people, I always take the view that keeping the machine running with data safe and intact is pretty much essential, hence trying to diagnose and fix issues properly, rather than nuking from orbit (which will only fix software errors, which can usually be fixed in <30 minutes anyway)

Killavodka · Post by **Killavodka** » August 8th, 2007, 17:40

OK I may have exaggerated when i said "many times", but personally if windows works enough to backup my data i prefer to format the drive THEN reinstall windows, as other stuff not associated with windows can be part of the problem. W ow it takes a whole evening but its worth it when you have a lovely clean hard drive with no fraggage and it works perfectly.

edit: damn auto spelling change shit

The Incredible... · Post by **The Incredible...** » August 8th, 2007, 17:44

i'm reckoning this is probably a hardware problem.

memtest has been going just under an hour and has done 1 whole pass and not found any errors. is it worth letting do a couple more passes to be sure?

and what's the next step?

Post by **Dr. kitteny berk** » August 8th, 2007, 17:45

Okay, that'll be fine, if it was gonna have errors, most likely it would by now.

I think eion said chkdsk, but i'm sure he'll clarify asap.

Post by **deject** » August 8th, 2007, 17:49

If you run chkdsk, and you get errorz, after it's done run it again. If you get more errorz, that's mean your HDD is FUBAR'd. If it's clean he 2nd time through, it may just be a bad write fluke and the drive may be fine.

eion · Post by **eion** » August 8th, 2007, 17:49

Dr. kitteny berk wrote:Okay, that'll be fine, if it was gonna have errors, most likely it would by now.

I think eion said chkdsk, but i'm sure he'll clarify asap.

I said chkdsk, yes. Some kind of drive-checking/SMART utility might not be a bad idea, either.

edit: do the proper surface scan, too.

Post by **Dr. kitteny berk** » August 8th, 2007, 17:50

Also, back any important work up, just to be safe.

Killavodka · Post by **Killavodka** » August 8th, 2007, 17:52

Dr. kitteny berk wrote:I think eion said chkdsk, but i'm sure he'll clarify asap.

sounds like a good plan, also try removing none essential hardware, system restore perhaps. Try to remember when it last WASN'T FUCKED and what you did since then, not always helpful but its better than cutting yourself while watching faaabulous porn

eion · Post by **eion** » August 8th, 2007, 17:54

Dr. kitteny berk wrote:Also, back any important work up, just to be safe.

This, so hard.

Killavodka · Post by **Killavodka** » August 8th, 2007, 17:57

Dr. kitteny berk wrote:Also, back any important work up, just to be safe.

Harder than eion

The Incredible... · Post by **The Incredible...** » August 8th, 2007, 17:59

right, well since my degree is finished with (and that work is all on a different disk anyway now i think ofit) i don't think i actually have anything essential

only things i've installed recently are diskeeper and stalker (which crashed out the first time i tried to play it, but not the same way, just crashed to desktop)

eion · Post by **eion** » August 8th, 2007, 17:59

Killavodka wrote: sounds like a good plan, also try removing none essential hardware, system restore perhaps. Try to remember when it last WASN'T FUCKED and what you did since then, not always helpful but its better than cutting yourself while watching faaabulous porn don't listen to anything I'm blathering on about because I have a distinct shortage of clue.

Fix'd.

eion · Post by **eion** » August 8th, 2007, 18:00

Killavodka wrote: Harder than eion

Oh, I doubt that... I bought a bunch of pills from one of those nice fellows who periodically advertise their wares in the forums here.

Killavodka · Post by **Killavodka** » August 8th, 2007, 18:14

eion's misrepresentation of killavodka wrote: I have a distinct shortage of clues

plural my darling

The Incredible... · Post by **The Incredible...** » August 8th, 2007, 18:18

ok, i've had a look on teh googlez and chkdsk looks a little scary to me. anu=yone care to walk me through it?

eion · Post by **eion** » August 8th, 2007, 18:24

Killavodka wrote: plural my darling

Idiomatic usage you bummer.

eion · Post by **eion** » August 8th, 2007, 18:29

The Incredible... wrote:ok, i've had a look on teh googlez and chkdsk looks a little scary to me. anu=yone care to walk me through it?

Right-click on your C drive.
Go to Properties.
Go to the Tools tab.
Click the Check Now... button.
Tick "Automatically fix file system errors" and "Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors".
Click Start.

If it complains about the volume not being locked, then choose to check the disk at next reboot, then reboot and watch.

cheeseandham · Post by **cheeseandham** » August 8th, 2007, 19:31

eion wrote:If it complains about the volume not being locked, then choose to check the disk at next reboot, then reboot and <strike>watch</strike> pray.

fix'd
(I fancy doing someones head in)