Dealing With OS Decay:
Rebuilding Your Windows System from Scratch

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Have you noticed that your Windows system has been behaving strangely? Maybe you're having more system crashes or lockups than you used to. Your system may even be running sluggishly—taking longer to load applications or find files.

When this happens, you probably break out your utility toolbox and go to work in an effort to resuscitate your system. You may remove unnecessary files, empty the Recycle Bin, and then run ScanDisk, and Disk Defragmenter. You may even use a Registry tool, such as Microsoft RegClean, to remove unnecessary information from the Registry.

However, even after all your efforts, your system still may not perform up to par. If you find yourself in this position, there may not be anything that you can do—your system is suffering from a terminal condition known as OS (Operating System) Decay. Once your system begins going down this path there is only one solution—and that's to rebuild your system from scratch.

In this article, I'll provide you with a procedural outline and step-by-step instructions on what you need to do to prepare for and rebuild your system from scratch. As I do, I'll let you in on a number of tips and tricks that I've picked up after having performed this procedure numerous times over the years.

What is OS Decay?

Basically, OS Decay is a very common problem and everyone will or has experienced it at one time or another. As you use your system over time, you install, upgrade, and uninstall numerous commercial and shareware applications. In addition, you'll probably add and remove various hardware peripherals and their associated device drivers. Furthermore, you may upgrade your operating system with a multitude of patches, bug fixes, and updates. Considering all the wear and tear these types of operations put on your operating system, chances are good that you'll experience OS decay first hand. Such symptoms as frequent system lockups or crashes, strange error messages, unusually slow performance, and a Windows directory that's bloated with files are sure signs of OS Decay.

These symptoms definitely indicate that you're no longer running the same finely tuned machine that you were when the operating system was first installed. Sure, the machine itself still looks the same, but the operating system is now cobbled together with bits and pieces of executables, DLLs, drivers, INI files, Registry files, and many other files too numerous to mention.

Furthermore, the OS decay problem can easily spread beyond the operating system directory so that your entire hard disk becomes littered with much of the same type of debris left over from various applications. For example, many Windows applications leave files and directories behind even when you use the Add/Remove Programs utility to uninstall them.

Of course, you must realize that OS decay is actually a natural occurrence that results from heavy use of your system. You could look at the OS decay problem much as you would an aging automobile—no matter how well you take care of it, eventually, you're going to have to buy a new one. Fortunately, you don't have to buy a new computer to solve the OS decay problem—you just have to rebuild the system from scratch.

Procedure Overview

Rebuilding your system from scratch isn't as bad as it sounds, although it will take a significant amount of time and effort on your part. However, the end result—a smooth running operating system—is guaranteed to be worth it! But, before we get started, let's take a brief look at what's involved.

To begin with, you'll back up all of your critical data. Then, you'll create a startup disk that contains your real-mode CD-ROM device drivers. Next, you'll reformat your hard drive. At this point, you'll reinstall Windows and all of your applications. Finally, you'll restore all of your critical data.

Saving Critical Data

The first thing that you'll want to do is perform a full backup of your system. That way if anything goes wrong, you'll be able to restore your system to its current state.

You may also want to backup your data files—the documents that you've created—separately. That way you can easily restore your data files to your newly rebuilt system.

In addition to the data files that you've created, your Windows operating system is packed with critical information that you'll want to backup separately in preparation for your system rebuild. I'll now provide you with a list of some of the most typical types of additional files you'll want to backup. However, keep in mind that each system is configured differently and you may have other types of files that you'll want to individually backup.

Files for Backup

As you read through this list, you may come up with other information that you want to backup before you reformat your hard drive. In fact you may want to think about this for a couple of days and compile a list of things that you want to save before you rebuild your system.

• Internet Connection Information. The first thing that you'll want to take note of in the Internet connection category is your ISP's phone number. You may already have this information written down somewhere, but making a second copy won't hurt. To do so, open the Dial-Up Networking folder in My Computer. You can then, right-click on your ISP connection, and select Properties from the shortcut menu. You can then copy down the telephone number in the connection's dialog box.

  The next things that you may want to take note of are your IP numbers. If you're using a major ISP, such as MSN, you won't have to worry about recording IP numbers as major ISPs assign new numbers each time you connect.

  If your ISP requires you to use specific IP numbers, you'll find them by clicking the Server Types tab in the connection's dialog box. Now, click the TCP/IP Settings button. Once the TCP/IP Settings dialog box appears, write down all the all the numbers that you find on the page.

  Instead of writing down the information, you can take a screen captures of each dialog box. To do so, you simply open the desired dialog box and press [Alt][PrintScreen]. Then launch Paint, pull down the Edit menu and select Paste. In a couple of seconds, Paint will display a copy of the dialog box. At this point, you can pull down the File menu and click the Print command. You'll then have a printed record of the information.

• Internet URLs. In addition to your connection information, chances are that you want to save your Web site shortcuts or URLs. For example, if you're using Internet Explorer, you'll find the URLs in the C:\Windows\Favorites folder. Simply back up the entire Favorites folder to tape or floppy disk.

  If you're using another browser, check with your documentation to find out where and how your URLs are stored. Then, back them up.

• E-mail Folders And Address Books. If you want to keep your address book and e-mail folders intact, you'll need to back up the corresponding files. For example, if you're using Outlook Express, you'll track down your address book by using Find to search for a file with the extension WAB. You'll then track down your e-mail folders by using Find to search for a folder called Mail. This folder contains all your e-mail folders as well as links to any newsgroups that you subscribe to.

  If you're using another e-mail program, check with your documentation to find out where the files containing your e-mail folders and address book are stored. Then, back them up.

• Updates And Patches. If you've downloaded any updates or patches to your operating system or to your applications, you'll want to make sure that you back up those files individually. That way you can easily update without having to download the updates or patches again.
  
• Shortcuts Or Scripts. If you've created any special shortcuts or script files, you'll want to track them down and back them up. Doing so will save you from having to recreate them from scratch.
  
• Icons, WAV Files, And Graphic Images. If you've downloaded any cool icons, WAV files, or graphic images that you use for desktop wallpaper, back them up. That way, you'll be able to restore your customized user interface to current form easily.
  
• Start Menu Organization. If you've spent a lot of time customizing and organizing your Start menu's structure, you won't want to have to recreate it from scratch. Take a few moments to write down the names and sketch the menus organization.
  
• Application Information. If you're using Microsoft Office or some other application suite, you should also backup any templates, macros, or other customized items that you don't want to have to recreate. For example, suppose that you're using Word and you've created a lot of macros that help you to quickly an easily produce your documents. You'll find most of your macros stored in Word's templates. By default, macros are stored in the Normal.dot template. If you've created a custom template for your word processing needs, the template also probably has macros stored in it.

  If you use and have added personalized entries to the AutoCorrect utility, you'll want to back up the AutoCorrect files as well. To do so, use Find to track down the ACL files on your hard drive. You should be able to find all the ACL files in your Windows folder.

  If you're using another office suite with similar functions, you'll need to refer to your documentation for more information on which files you need to back up. Don't forget to check the company's Web site if you don't find the information in the documentation.

Creating A Startup Disk That Loads the CD-ROM Drivers

Once you reformat your hard drive, you're going to need to be able to access your CD-ROM drive in order to reinstall Windows. As such, you need a Windows startup disk that includes the real-mode CD-ROM drivers.

If you're using Windows 98, all you have to do is create a startup disk as you normally would because Windows 98 automatically includes CD-ROM drivers on the startup disk. If you're using Windows 95, you'll need to create a startup disk as you normally would and then add the CD-ROM drivers and the commands to load them to the startup disk. If you can't locate the real-mode CD-ROM drivers for your CD-ROM drive, you should check out the drive manufacture's Web site.You can also find a great list of CD-ROM drivers on the Driver's Headquarters Web site, or get the latest list of drivers at Updates.com.

Now, launch Windows Explorer or My Computer and access the C:\Windows\Command folder and copy the file Format.com to the floppy disk. To complete the procedure reboot your system from the floppy disk and make sure that you can access your CD-ROM drive.

Formatting Your Hard Drive

Once you've backed up your hard disk, saved any valuable configuration information and created a startup disk that loads your real-mode CD-ROM drivers, you're ready to format your hard disk. While this may sound intimidating, the procedure is really a piece of cake.

To begin, you'll boot up your system with the startup disk you made. Just to be on the safe side, double-check that your real-mode CD-ROM drivers are loading properly by inserting a CD into your drive and trying to access it. If you can, you're ready to proceed.

Once your system boots up from your startup disk, you're ready to begin the formatting procedure. To do so, type the command

Format C: /s

at the A:\> prompt. When you do, Format will display the warning message and prompt you to proceed. At this point, type Y and press [Enter]. When you do, Format will check your existing disk format, verify the size of your hard disk and begin the format operation. As it does, Format will keep you apprised of its progress.

Once the operation is complete, Format will inform you, transfer the operating system to the hard disk, and prompt you for a volume label. After you type a volume label, or press [Enter] for none, Format provides you with detailed information about the hard disk's new format.

Rebuilding Your System

Once your hard drive is formatted, you're ready to reinstall your Windows operating system and applications. Then, you can restore the data that you backed up. Once you do, you'll basically have a brand new operating system.

Wizard Note: Since this article ran, I've received a number of terrific questions about the procedure from ZDNet readers. To make sure that everybody benefits from this additional information, I've answered reader's FAQs in the article: Rebuilding Your Windows System FAQs.

Greg Shultz is a Senior Editor with ZD Journals. He writes the monthly tips and techniques journals, Inside Microsoft Windows 98, Inside Microsoft Windows 95 and Windows Professional. You can reach Greg at greg_shultz@zdjournals.com.