There are some problems cropping up with my computer and I think it might be time to reinstall the operating system. The machine hangs, my wireless utility has disappeared, no longer present in the system tray. Programs crash regularly, as often as every few hours I am having to reboot.

Is this time for a fresh start?

I would say yet, with out knowing any more. You may just need to do a good spyware and virus scan to get some extra junk off of your computer. I would start backing up files now.


Again, the way it is crashing could be due to a bad power supply or memory also.

If you are comfortable with backing up your data and re-installing windows I don't know why you would not, it only takes a couple of hours and it will have your computer running like new again.

It was already backed up, as I knew that the problems were building. Its clean of all potential infections, that wasn't a worry.

Anyway it died on Saturday and is now running nicely again.

Did you just back up your data and reinstall, or was there another problem you had to take care of. My co worker machine has been doing a similar stint for a few days now.

I really hate re-installs but I'd be the first to admit that it sure feels good the first time you boot up after a re-install and your machine feels like when you just bought it.

There was nothing else that I needed to do. I backed everything up to an external hard drive-a very large one at that, and so it was easy to do. Then I just gave her a new start.

I have been told by several people that you should do a complete clean re-install once a year just to keep the computer running well. Do you guys recommend this too?

Reinstallation is a good option but remember to back up all your data b4 reinstallation. I've Tune up utilities in ma system which works fine for me.