Cleaning a PC harddisk

[ferrisbueller]

Just been given a second hand PC by a mate. It's running a bit slow and has a few nasties on it by the looks of things. How do I clean it up?

ETA. I don't want to format it, just purge it of rubbish.

Edited by ferrisbueller on Thursday 15th June 21:17

[qube_TA]

2nd hand PC's are a nightmare, easiest way of sorting it is to re-install the OS (presuming you're running Microsoft).

If you can't do that then make sure it's patched and the virus and spyway/malware protection is up to date it should cure most of the problems.

Still given that you've no idea what has gone on with the PC in the past I'd be reluctant to start inputting my data onto it as you can't be sure what gremlins are on it which is why if it was mine I'd format it and re-install fresh.

Matthew

[petrol_noggin]

This will be moved to computers and stuff, but I advise a full going over by an off the shelf anti virus programme, then a disk cleanup and defrag (both tools come with windows), may take up to a day if its really clogged up but will do the job nicely.

[Parrot of Doom]

Ferris, pm me and I'll send you something to fix it up.

[GreenV8S]

Reformat and install it from scratch. You'll be amazed at the performane difference compared to an old installation.

[mattley]

ferrisbueller said:

I don't want to format it

Why not? It really is the only way.

Also, don't forget that unless the Windows install is OEM and keyed to the machine, or you have your own copy, what you're doing is illegal, and you need to read the sticky at the top of this forum section.

[ferrisbueller]

mattley said:

ferrisbueller said:

I don't want to format it

Why not? It really is the only way.

Also, don't forget that unless the Windows install is OEM and keyed to the machine, or you have your own copy, what you're doing is illegal, and you need to read the sticky at the top of this forum section.

Because I have no means of backing up some things I want to keep.

[GreenV8S]

ferrisbueller said:

Because I have no means of backing up some things I want to keep.

I assume this stuff is on the machine already. Do you particularly care if you lose them? If so, you ought to have a backup system in place. Depending how much stuff you're talking about this could be as simple as copying them to a memory stick, or uploading them onto a network drive (GDrive is quite handy for that) assuming you have broadband, or buying an external drive.

Once you have them backed up, reformatting the machine is just a matter of a little hassle. Of course you do need to have the installation media and license key for the copy of windows you're using, but if it's legitimate you should have that anyway. If not, you're out of pocket another £50 or so.

[ferrisbueller]

Nice one. Got a clean up package via shareware that has improved matters. I'l run scan disk and defrag to see if that helps. If worst comes to the worst I'll get some form of backup media.

Thanks.