How To Fix Your Windows System

There's no doubting that a brand-new PC runs like a rocket. Sadly, the system remains that way for only a few days. All too quickly, the first bugs and spyware invade the new PC from the rogue Internet sites.

In fact, tens of millions of Microsoft Windows users are being clobbered by the following problems, most of which result from Internet connectivity:

While there are many valid fixes and patches to alleviate these problems (see, for example, my past TechBuilder Recipe, How to Speed Your Systems With msconfig), one stands apart as the one true fix for Windows. This is a complete re-initialization of the hard drive and re-installation of Windows. I refer to this process as a "PC OS rebuild." If your clients are complaining of Windows-related problems, this fix is the one sure-fire way to restore their systems to like-new running condition.But there's always a catch, right? Right. Admittedly, rebuilding a PC OS is a time- and labor-intensive process. It's also completely non-standardized. In fact, this process cannot be automated unless you use Norton Ghost, hard-drive image replication software that I do not recommend. Also, since the result of a PC OS rebuild is a blank PC, you must first back up all data and e-mail messages, make sure you have all the original software CDs, and then re-install all the software. In other words, this is not an operation for a system that is merely sluggish. Instead, it's the big gun to use when a client's system is seriously grinding to a halt.

By the way, some other experts say the Ghost software lets you do a PC OS rebuild, and restore all software and data, at the touch of a button. I agree. But I also believe that most of the bugs and garbage will be spewed right back onto the hard drive from whence it came. That's why I maintain, based on my own real-life experiences, that the best way is to go through the rebuild by the numbers, manually restoring all PC resources.

Just to be sure, I had this recipe tested and implemented by a professional system builder, Angelo Casasanta of Glen Cove, N.Y. Angelo agreed to try my methods with several of his customers. The results were all positive. In fact, Angelo now offers the PC OS rebuild as his standard PC maintenance service offering.

Here's what Angelo says about the process today: "After implementing this technique, I found that the repairs were more 'surefire,' with no recurring virus problems due to tainted or corrupted OS code. The technique also resulted in fewer failed or misdiagnosed repair attempts, and less time wasted on attempting lesser or quicker repairs....Reinstalling the OS in many cases ultimately saves much time and grief and 'cuts to the chase' when this action is deemed necessary....I now also take the time to educate my customers in proper back-up and restore techniques, to facilitate the process if we ever need to rebuild their system again. Unfortunately, most customers are not prepared for this scenario, even though they have the hardware and media to perform regularly scheduled backups."

IngredientsReady to get rebuilding? Let's begin by assembling our components:

Inventory checklist

This is a non-technical step in the PC rebuild process, but an important one! Sit down with your customer and make an inventory list of the customer's:

This list will be important to have as a reference once you re-initialize the PC and are sitting in front of a blank copy of Windows. Use it as a road map for rebuilding the customer's personal desktop settings and software.

Backup Drive

For those customers who have a second drive or a CD-DVD burner, data backup is not an issue. Simply copy data files and folders you have documented in the prior step of this recipe.

But if the customer does not have a backup drive, you have two options: Either attempt to copy the files and folders to diskettes, or purchase or borrow an inexpensive external drive. I strongly recommend the external drive. It can usually be setup in fewer than 10 minutes, thanks to USB technology. Also, I do not recommend tape backup for this process, as the re-installation of the tape software adds yet another task to an already time-consuming process. That said, if you absolutely must use tape, the technology will probably get the job done.Outlook Express Backup

For those end-users who keep their e-mail on the Web, there's no reason to worry about e-mail backup. But for clients using Outlook Express, their database resides on the PC's hard drive. For them, e-mail backup is mission-critical.

I recommend a shareware utility called Outlook Express Backup Wizard that makes backing up and restoring Outlook Express a breeze. It's truly easy to use. You simply follow the prompts on the screen, and make sure that you point your backup to the external or secondary hard drive.

For customers who use Outlook as their e-mail program, consider a $30 utility called OutBack Plus 4. It's been around since 1999 and boasts many thousands of users.

The next few screen shots show you how Outlook Express Backup Wizard works. First, click on the correct radio button for either Outlook Express backup or restore:

For this example, we are doing a backup. Select the identities and databases that you wish to back up, as seen in this next screen shot:

Next, make sure to select the external drive to receive the backup data. In this example, I chose the D: drive:

The next screen, shown below, is simply a "safety" screen. Follow the instructions to avoid an error message:

Windows Re-install

Now that everything is either backed up to secondary storage or part of inventory on CD ROM, it's time to re-install Windows. For this recipe, I will discuss Windows 98 and Windows XP. If your client uses Windows 95 or Windows ME, follow the instructions for Win98. If your client uses Windows 2000 or Windows NT 4.0, then follow the instructions for XP.

Regardless of which variant of Windows you're re-installing, be very sure that you have a bootable CD ROM drive. To do this, you may need to access the BIOS of your PC; there, you can see whether this is a supported function.

If the Windows 95 or 98 system's CD ROM is not bootable, you will need to create a DOS boot diskette for Windows 95 and 98. Copy the applicable CD-ROM drivers to the floppy diskette, and reference them properly in the CONFIG.SYS file. (This requires some familiarity with DOS!) For systems running on Windows NT 4.0, Win2000, or WinXP, if the PC is not bootable, you will need to create an emergency boot diskette from the existing system.To Re-install Windows 95, Win98, and WinME

To Re-install Windows NT 4.0, Win2000, and WinXP

This is a considerably easier program than the FDISK initialization for Win95 and Win98. If you have a bootable CD ROM, there is no need to create a bootable diskette. Simply load the Windows CD, then boot from it.

Before the installation actually begins, you will be working with the text-based blue screen. Here you will have the option of deleting all existing disk partitions, then creating new ones from scratch. Once you have done this, proceed normally with your Windows installation.

To be more specific, I refer to the point of WinXP installation that comes right after you press F8 to verify that the XP license is legally yours. You will then see a Disk Partition verification screen that describes the existing disk partitions (usually C: and D:). You will then have two menu choices: Fix Windows, and Reinstall Windows. Select the latter, Reinstall Windows.

Once you make that selection, you will be given two new choices: 1.) Reinstall Windows on top of the existing copy, and 2.) Delete the existing partitions, and create new from scratch. Select the second option, Delete the existing partitions.Next, fill in the on-screen fields that ask how big you'd like the partition(s) to be, and whether you'd prefer to use FAT or NTFS. (If you need help with any of these concepts, please refer to either the Microsoft site or Google for further clarification.)

Finishing Up

Finishing up can be performed in a variety of ways. The key point is to ensure that all critical data and software is both backed up and inventoried.

Next comes restoration. This process does not really follow a logical flow. The most important point is to "put everything back" as specified by the desires of your customers.

For your clients, it's the little things that count. So after you're done with the hard part, remember to reset the user's preferred wallpaper, screen saver, and screen resolution. Otherwise, expect a phone call from your customer requesting another visit.

DAVID KARY is the founder and CEO of Rippt Inc. and a frequent contributor to TechBuilder.

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