After Format.

[GodsUnicorn]

After formatting your HDD and re-installing your OS, what software do you install, I don't mean games and stuff more like the kind of progs you fell you need to keep your PC secure and running well ?

[fillip]

Firstly, all the software drivers to make sure the system is solid before I put on non-essential stuff.

After that, firewal, antivirus, MBM5 and other sys' monitors, m$ antispyware or pest control (if not both)... meh.

[GodsUnicorn]

:thumb:Cheers mate.:thumb:

[fillip]

I forgot an important one, SiSoft Sandra or whatever it's now called. Stick this on first thing after all essential driers and run the stability/burn in tests to check your hardware holds up.

Then stick all the other software on. :thumb:

[GodsUnicorn]

I'm not installing any new hardware and it's all been running quite well together for about a year now, so do I still need to run SiSoft Sandra.
I have been running Folding @ Home which I belive works the PC pretty hard and have seen no ill effects.

[WiLieR]

Before I even start a fresh install I make sure the comp is not hooked up to the internet in anyway. Even during an install, right after it installs networking drivers, your comp can be hacked very easily since it has no form of protection at all during this time.

After a fresh install, the first thing I do is make sure Window's firewall is enabled. It might not be much in the grand scheme of things, but it is something. Then I connect to the net, install my av (i use Norton's 2005) and update it, then dl all the latest drivers for everything (video, chipset, peripherals, etc..). After those are installed and updated I install Spybot S&D, Microsoft Anti-Spyware, DisKeeper, and any other misc progs I might use (SiSoft Sandra, Prime 95, F@H) for stability testing.

Once everything is installed and updated to the latest and greatest (this includes windows updates, etc..), then I do a power defrag. You can do this by following the instructions found here (http://www.shamikaserver.com/ssforums/showthread.php?t=5009) (link goes to ShamikaServer.com, our gaming clan forum). After the good defrag, turn system restore back on, reset the paging file. I usually set it manually and at a 1:1 to a 1.5:1 ratio of my memory; Ex: 1GB of memory means minimum page file of 1,000MB and max of 1,500MB. 512MB of mem makes a min of 512MB and max of 756MB.

Then run a full system scan with your AV, spyware sweeps, and any other utils you may use (registry cleaner, etc...). Once done, migrate to the system restore page and set a system restore point. This will give you a clean fresh install you can always revert back to that is minty clean and ready to start over. Or you can run something like Norton's Ghost and create an image of your drive so if windows falls apart you can reimage your hard drive back to this exact point by dropping in a cd and rebooting from the cd.:) HTH

[GodsUnicorn]

Cheers WiLieR

[fillip]

If it's all old hardware there's no real need to run a burn in test.

[WiLieR]

True fillip, but if you are running newer drivers than before it never hurts to make sure everything is stable. I have had instances where updating drivers for one piece of hardware caused problems/conflicts with other drivers. I didn't find this out until I benchmarked the system with the new drivers. That's why I still run a burn-in/benchmark test on every fresh install of windows I do, old hardware or new.

[fillip]

True fillip, but if you are running newer drivers than before it never hurts to make sure everything is stable. I have had instances where updating drivers for one piece of hardware caused problems/conflicts with other drivers. I didn't find this out until I benchmarked the system with the new drivers. That's why I still run a burn-in/benchmark test on every fresh install of windows I do, old hardware or new.

I was going on the assumption that everything was the same, incl. driers, btut yeah, you're right.

[zer0]

for me when i install windows its usualy Firefox Nero trillian photoshop dreamweaver adobe reader and spybot and adaware.

for linux its usualty firefox wine cedega xchat

[Greeny]

I check everything at stock settings and run memtest86/+ prior to installation. I also install the BIOS I intend to use and gather the latest drivers (as appropriate).
After install of windows I install:
Drivers
Prime95
CPU-Z
3dmarks

Once I'm happy with the tweakage maxied out I run Memtest86+ for 12-24 hours, then run Prime95 for 24 hours with 3dmark2k1 looping over the top at random intervals or continuosly running. I don't see the bluescreen often (if ever). :P

I used to install Sandra, but I find that rather bloaty these days. An accurate memory bandwidth score can be gleened from memtest86/+ and CPU-Z shows all the frequencies and information necessary for tweakage.

As far as installing new drivers go I sit in the "if it aint broke" camp. The video drivers get updated when valve deicde to tell me theyre out of date when I start cs.

[Da_Rude_Baboon]

WB greeny. Long time no see m8. :thumb:

[Starbuck3733T]

I don't install anything, it's all automated out of a Remote Install Service install. Woohoo!

[fillip]

I don't install anything, it's all automated out of a Remote Install Service install. Woohoo!

What's that?

[Starbuck3733T]

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windows2000serv/deploy/depopt/remoteos.mspx

it took a LOT of work to get all the driver's integrated, but have a look at msfn.org's forums and Bashrat the Sneaky's driverpacks for XP. I run server 2003, and have more than a couple configs on my RIS server (cheasy win2k box). the 2003 install will only have drivers and tweaks for my money pit project ;)

I have it to a point at work where I can have a box up and fully patched w\ RIS (I keep the ris install point patched) w\ full applications for your average user in about 20 minutes on modern hardware.

getting popups? no problem - rebuild machine.

got virus? you're getting nuked.

combine this with the fact that my documents is redirected to the server and we run MS exchange for e-mail,and the machines are pretty much disposable. :wiz: