Ok, so I turned on my computer today... and nothing starts without me running it. No start menu (explorer.exe), no ObjectDock, no nothing, and then, when I try to run explorer, or open a file, it will not happen. I'm lucky AOL will work... System Restore is turned off, and I have no clue how to access it without going through the start menu, so, is there any help you guys can offer?

 

Boot in safe mode and backup all your junk and then reformat..

I love reformatting my PC...its so clean afterward.

 

I will certainly try. Thank you so much.

 

if you dont want to lose your stuff. try a chkdsk. either by the xp cd or in safe mode. you could go back to a restore point as well. there is no point in reformatting if you can still try to fix it.

 

Don't worry guys, I got it back to normal earlier. Thanks for your help.

 

no point in formatting?

I format my computer like once a year.

I don't do it to fix problems, but if you do have problems might as well. It is so nice useing a computer with a clean start.

 

I reformat at least 2 or 3 times a year as well, but theres not point in him doing it because he hasent prepared at all already.

 

how do you prepare a reformatting?

 

I think he means like backing up his stuff and such

 

Get a external USB drive to backup your data, the Lacie drives are cheap and reliable, usually $100. It's good to reformat your PC once a year as as you install software, uninstall it, etc. your disk gets fragmented and your registry becomes bloated and can slow down the system. Once backed up to a external data source you can proceed with installing the OS, and formatting the system when you do so. Do not select Quick Format as it will leave fragmentation in place.

Good luck.

 

I only reformat and reinstall when there's no other option. Reformatting a drive that regularly will decrease the life of the drive greatly since you're accessing every sector on it. BUT I do back up my data once a month -- first to my secondary drive, then to CD. I also create a system restore point prior to backing up.

 

yeah, i dont really care about my drives, I blow the living crap out of them all of the time anyways. :P

 

once a year is good, I generally partition the harddrive and leave a smaller part for windows install and everything else on other partition of the harddrive. Makes for formatting quicker/easier next time around. But then again with my h/d space theres tons of room.
Network Drives: (Total/Free: 750.64/224.54GB.
Computers was my hobby before the new Mustang.
I havent figured out which is cheaper yet, lol.

Computer Desk

Computer Desk

 

ain't that the truth

 

Formatting the drive does not necessarily access every point of the drive. Its more of a removing pointers and such.

If you actually formatted your drive completely (low level) then you are accessing sector by sector...and takes a LONG time.....

....trust me, we have to do it at work to wipe all confidential data.

 

I think your 3rd hobby could be the most expensive *looks at your avatar and the side of the computer case and your name*

j/k, sweet desk and light setup.

 

Ive done it to my 160 gig drive. boredom :notnice:

 

hahah yeah... now work for the police or government when you have to do more than one pass...

Might as well set it up and come back a season later...

 

HAHA true, but I limit it, mostly a weekender if ya know what I mean.


take a look inside the blue pc

 

not sure if i'd be broadcasting that all over the net.