Clean Install Absolutely Necessary?

As opposed to just deleting probrams (blogware)? How much of a true performance boost from a clean install?

 

If you get all the unnecessary stuff off, then it's pretty much just like a fresh install. The problem lies in the registry tho, because you will have a lot of leftover stuff from the uninstalled programs. But a good reg cleaner, or CCleaner should do the job and get your system back to normal.

But all this is time consuming, so most people prefer the straightforward clean install. But they should both be around the same in terms of performance if you do a thorough clean job.

 

Nothing like starting with a clean slate.
if something goes wrong, you know who to blame.

 

I've deleted nothing and never done a clean install. My computer runs very smooth and I haven't had one issue with it. So no, I don't think it is absolutly necessary.

 

I will do a clean install after a year or so of ownership.

When my t61p comes in I would be to scared to do a clean install on it. Seeing how many people having issues installing proper drivers, etc.

I never done a clean install on a laptop before. Many times on a PC.

 

It is easy (that was my first time on a laptop, too). It takes time if you follow all the procedures (and I would recommend that in stallen's thread), but it is worthy the result. I was much more scared updating the bios. My machine was good before the clean install, but became even faster after. I was gladly surprised with the first boots. Right now is not that fast because I installed the McAfee security stuff... but still better than before. And as Watchtower7 said, it gives you a feeling of more control: you know your machine better during the process. It is a learning thing.

 

You'll be fine then. It's exactly the same thing.

 

I disagree completely.
I don't know about now, but Norton used to leave so much crap after uninstalling, same with mcafee.
I guess it could be a crazy bias, but I would never ever have anything but a clean install.
I don't game, I edit, and photoshop, and I don't want any clogware in my way.
Over 50 clean installs over the last 6 years.
And I even sold an outlet r series because the clean install gave me so much hassle.

 

I'm a clean install junkie as well. If you cannot clean install your computer, then it's useless. It'll get to a point when you need to do it because it's not working well, so you might as well try it on the first few days to see if you can do it by yourself.
And I agree, I'd much rather have my computer plagued by viruses than having norton.

 

i got a t61 about a month back and having some issues. i love the idea of a clean-install (clean slate + learning) but as you know the laptops don't come with the OS discs.......so a clean-install means spending another few hundred$$...right??

 

If you read Stallen's guide. It might cost you say $5 for the Anytime upgrade CD, but no it won't cost you $100's of bucks.

Here is a link to the clean install guide. It is a great resource.

 

Scared to do a clean install on a laptop, but you've done it many times on a PC? Very strange considering a laptop is just a portable PC.

 

Notebook clean installs are a lot more work than desktop installs.

Even a n00b can do a clean install on a desktop since all required drivers are included on the Windows CD or will be found automatically from the net. In a worse case scenario you need to load drivers off an included mobo CD.

With notebooks on the other hand, you need to know where to search for many proprietary drivers. If it wasn't for excellent install guides like yours most people would be screwed if they attempted a clean install and did not have drivers on hand before they started.

 

thanks...i missed that post

 

Stallen needs to make a guide to do a clean install with Windows XP.

In the future I want to do a clean install with Windows XP. Any good guide out there? My computer came with XP.

 

Im willing to invest the time as long as there is positive upside to the clean install. So LEnovo does provide all drivers and most of the Lenovo programs which I want to retain are available for download? I do not wnat to get into a sit where some proprietary LEnovo driver/software is not available and have the system lose functionality.

I do not with to use any of the Norton bloatware.

So the consensus is to a 32 bit fresh install instead of 64 bit?

Thanks all.

 

I also do no think that is necessary. My system is working without any flaws, boot fast and have no problem at all. When you just remove 2-3 things and tweak Vista a little bit, i think you need not do a clean install.

 

Same experience as mine...

 

It's funny, I've built about 20 desktops and of course all of those have been clean installs. My t61p is the first machine I've ever had that I did not do that.

I run with a performance monitor that I built. The only resource that the lenovo stuff consumes is memory because for the most part, it's inert. But it does get annoying when these unheard of processes pop up and want passwords and things.

 

there is a huge difference between running "smooth" and running lean and mean.

 

The only reason, at least for me, for a clean install is when after one or two years we have installed/un-installed many software on our computer and we feel like it is "dirty".
In any case, a brand new computer simply *cannot* be considered as such, even if it comes with pre-installed software thet we do not care about. We just remove 2-3 programs and fine-tune the windows services that run on it and that's it. I think we worry too much for this stuff, we have marvelous machines in our hands, so, let's have fun with them!

 

why would you paint the rotting wood when you can rebuild the house?

 

Nah, it's just not that "simple". There is considerable bloatware installed on almost all new computers these days. They do that to keep the cost down. Lenovo laptops are certainly not an exception to this. It has been PROVEN that the number of processes running with a factory install (90+) are nearly double than after a clean install (closer to 50). Further, many people including myself can tell a huge difference in stability and performance after a clean install.

This is the way I see it... Try out your laptop for several days after you buy it. If you are not happy with the performance, you'll probably be happier after a clean install. Also, some people will pay top dollar to get the fastest processor and the most RAM possible because they want a fast performing laptop. Those people insisting on maximum performance from their laptop are really missing out if they don't perform a clean install.

So the thread title is "Clean Install Absolutely Necessary?" The answer remains, "no" it's optional for those who want maximum performance and stability.

 

... for free.

 

Yes, it *is* that "simple"...The thing that you call "bloatware" someone else might call it "usefullware". I do not mean that the whole of this preinstalled software is "a must" or even nice to have. But there is indeed some of it that is usefull and just better of the OS's respective.

So, i suggest that someone must not get psychotic about how many processes are there and running but carefully examine each of these and look if it is usefull to him. If it is not, simply remove it and that's all. Remember, we are talking about a *brand new* system that all that contains is the OS and some preinstaled software and this certainly does not do so much harm that you may think...

 

Sorry, but *brand new* doesn't always mean that it performs at its best. No need to name call. I'm not psychotic. This is not just what I "think". This is based off of researching the pros and cons of factory install vs. clean install. This is also a universal fact among power users. Sure some of the utilities are useful, but many of them will result in too much of a performance hit to justify their worth.

I have performed multiple benchmarks and real-life testing on two T61s and multiple desktop PCs comparing factory installs and clean installs. On top of that I have discussed this with other power users and my local computer shop. The results always show a significant improvement in performance and stability on systems with a clean install. That's *real* not *psychotic*.

If you want to believe that *brand new* (or more like, the factory install) is perfect just because it should be, then you can live in your fantasy world all by yourself. However, that sounds a little delusional to me or ummm... "psychotic". I'm done with this. You can talk to yourself if you choose.

 

I'm another supporter of the 'clean install'. I have to admit that it takes longer to do on a laptop than a desktop. However, I've noticed that it improves stability and performance.

 

Next time, try to read post more carefully, i didn't say something about perfect". Sorry that i do not have the same opinion with you...I am done with this too, the last think i wanna do is spent my time doing "clean installs" and talking to persons with attitude problems...Have a nice day.

 

For most users I would say uninstalling the bloatware and unwanted applications would do the trick.

If you have the time, I would prefer a clean install. For me it as much a psychological thing as it is an actual need.

But if one properly uninstalls the unwanted software, the difference in performance between a clean install system with the apps needed/wanted and an "uninstalled" system, would be negligable for the average user.

At the end of the day it depends on how nitpicky one is and what kind of user you are.