Annual Windows XP Installation
July 26, 2006
About three weeks ago, the computer I’ve been using at the office was infected by a malicious software. This successful-breaching worm was not a destructive one (the ones where it could erase important files), but still it is bothering my work. This worm which is a rontokbro variant worm, deletes some of the important features in Windows, like Search, Run, Regedit and the Task Manager.
I’m not going to deny that the penetration process of this worm through the computer was my fault. I ignores certain factor of computer security. If I could summarize my old security policy, it was like a time bomb until certain malicious software would penetrate. The lack of will to update my virus definition, the non-active firewall, and the read-write policy to one of my shared folder, Yeah, ignorance is bliss.
I don’t know if it was the worm or it’s just me who looses patience to my old crash-prone Windows system. I had to re-install Windows. I have a very bloated Windows full of leftover programs, orphan registries and corrupted files.
It took me five days before I can launch the re-installation process. Why was it so long? Life is full of obstacle. The damn worm corrupted my PC on my deadline days. I cannot afford to do a makeover of the system on those busy days. Therefore, I just let the damage as it is for a couple of days. It doesn’t ruin my important files, so it’s all right.
I had to reformat the partition and do a clean Windows XP installation. The re-installation process took only about 30 to 45 minute max.
So what can we learn from my series of unfortunate events? Here comes the fun part. I divided my experience into three part tips.
The Preparation
As told before, as a Windows user in we would arrived at certain point where we should re-install our system, yes, this is an irony of a Windows user. It is as inevitable as the sun rising from the west.
So, here are some tips (based on personal experience) to help preparing the re-installation process.
- Backup (or take notes) of important configuration files. Save all the settings of your applications. For example, if it’s a browser, backup your bookmarks. If it’s not possible to save unto a file, write these settings to a plain-text file.
- If you are using an e-mail client, backup/export your important e-mails. Usually an e-mail client application has their own backup feature. In Microsoft Outlook, you can see this guide to backup email address.
- Backup your Address Book and Appointments; this is very important for working people. It’s better if you had PDA; just synchronize your Address Book for the last time before the re-installation process. Therefore, you still had the backup on your PDA and you could sync it again in the new system.
- If you’re using iTunes, don’t forget to backup the music library. Here’s how to do it.
- Re-installation would be effective if you have more than one partition in your hard drive. Move your important data to another partition other than the one where you install Windows (usually it would be the drive C).
Installation Tips
When all the important data has been secure, you’re ready to re-install the Windows. Do a clean Windows Install and format the partition where you put the Windows system (again, it’s usually the drive C). Don’t ever format the partition where you put your backup data.
Post Installation
After the installation there are some steps that you must do (well, actually steps that I usually do) before you install your favorite apps.
- Install important drivers for your hardware, like Graphic Card driver, Motherboard, Sound Card, et cetera. It’s a good practice to install the latest drive for it would optimize your hardware. The latest driver updates can bee seen on your appropriate hardware vendor.
- As a safeguard, install Antivirus for your PC. These days there’s a lot of good antivirus out there. If you ask for my opinion, I would choose these babies. Norton Antivirus would be a great choice for a commercial antivirus application. It has a stable Live Update features that updates its virus definition frequently. For a non-commercial antivirus, my hand goes to Antivir Professional. Asides from the “free” tagline that comes with the apps, Antivir still do a good job to protect your PC from those harmful entities.
- In addition to Antivirus, you should place a firewall application as a “concrete fort” for your PC against nasty things from outside world. Just like Antivirus, there’s a lot of great Firewall application out there. I alone use Outpost Firewall Pro that in my opinion doing a great job to compel or just filtering process that want to access my PC. For a non-commercial version you could try ZoneAlarm Firewall, the reviews are good for this apps (though, I haven’t try it myself). Alternatively, if you don’t want to hassle to install a firewall application, you could use the built-in firewall feature from Windows XP. To activate this feature go to Control Panel->Windows Firewall then turn it on. However, I cannot guarantee the security effectiveness of this feature.
So there they are! A not-so brief tips on how to re-install Windows XP, plus some handy tips to protect your PC. All based from my not so wise experience. How about you? Was there something missing from my tips above?
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Patrick G. van Diest a.k.a "patvandiest" thinks he can fulfill his "world domination scheme" by writing in this weblog in his spare time. We'll see about that in the upcoming future. Now, just expect writings on random geek things that may interest you. Oh yeah, did you know that he works as web developer on a tech magazine...? More
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Okay, life must go on, right? So with the spirit of Sumpah Pemuda and the recent festive of Pesta Blogger 2007. I officially announce that:
It's just around the corner, not very far away.
The reason? Well you can say that I'm getting bored with Wordpress and I want to try something new. But trust me, I won't move it anywhere else in the future, I will use patvandiest.com as my main blog, always. I promise you that!
So please... please update your bookmark, I will forever graceful if you do that. But if you are reading my blog through my Feedburner account, worry not, I will automatically update the link. That goes to my other social networking related link.
I won't delete this blog, though. I will keep it as past archives of my writings.
So, sorry for this inconvinience. I hope you don't mind. See you at my other room.
Sincerely Yours,
Patrick Gerard van Diest
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www.patvandiest.com- I definitely will go to Pesta Blogger 2007. I've register there this afternoon, hope they approved my application. Will go with Rifie. It would be fun!
- # - And so begin the brick wars! On the axis side, it's Steve Jobs and its Apple. The Allied side consists of peoples who unlocked their iPhone. But nooo, they're not the only ones. According to Scoble, some regular iPhone user has the same problem too after the update that Apple released. It's getting hotter now. :) - #
- Remember Kubrick's "A Clockwork Orange"? here's behind-the-scenes footage to relive that legendary movie (via Bedazzled)
- # - Ouh yes! know I now the first item in my "to-be-bought" list for Dody when he goes to Singapore next month. The new Dashboard Confessional album "The Shade of Poison Trees" (release date: October 2nd). Yaay!
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