How long do your Operating Systems last? (reloads)

ou_phidelt · Nov 22, 2008

When I was on XP about every six months I needed a refresh. With Vista I have only had to for hardware upgrades.

altoid · Nov 22, 2008

About half a year, or so. I start to feel "bogged down" so I just reload it. I have all my hardware drivers on a bunch of CDs I burned, so it doesn't take too long.

Gomeler · Nov 22, 2008

Every 6 months or so. It is usually due to a hardware refresh, I tend to swap out video cards about every 3 months and after two swaps I really want to re-do everything.

ihrsetrdr · Nov 23, 2008

Windows-as long as I can, as long it ain't broke.

OS X- I've reinstalled it 2 times in the last year, not because it needed it but for going from single boot to dual boot and back. Now running VMs (Linux, windows) guests on OS X host.

Linux- whenever I decide to try something new, or when I've broken it beyond repair.

Neuromancer · Nov 24, 2008

Nice poll EW.

Depends what PC, but my personal rig I format about every 6 months. (now)
With XP I reinstalled about every month. Now that I am on Vista its every 6, although to be honest, thats more a left over of XP reformatting, then a need to do so. I have switched mobo and vid cards and everytihng and Vista still runs well.

Although. I just reinstalled last week, and am going to be doing it again real soon, because I am making massive changes to the houses pc's.

Automata · Nov 24, 2008

1 month if it is lucky. I'm usually swapping boards/cards/other hardware, so re-installs are just convenient.

Frogbones · Nov 24, 2008

I build a OS to exactly how I like it (gaming rig), custom tweaks, OCsettings, games, etc. I defrag, clean registry, cut all my process down to minimal.

Then I take an image. I go along with my OS 'till it boggs or the like...I slap in my boot CD and reimage, I get to keep the same CD keys (no DRM issues or limited installs) everything is already set up and ready to go drivers, favorites, all the settings I set when I took the image, and I'm set....the reload image only take 25mins and I'm back to square one ready to go and everything set.

I stopped reloading while back..casue I hated reinstalling all drivers, tweaking the OS, reinstalling game using up my limited keys all the jazz that comes with a reload.

I image, reimge and I love it! Saves time and keeps me happy knowing if I hit a bump...half and hour later all is fixed and ready to go...I always backup my saved games and profiles.
The only time I reload is when I upgrade mobo, or other heavy components...even then I use the image I have and just install new drivers.

I'm surprised more of us around here don't take images. Givin how often we reload or switch parts.

jayfella · Nov 24, 2008

Frogbones said:
I'm surprised more of us around here don't take images. Givin how often we reload or switch parts.

Well after about 3 months, all of the drivers will be out-dated anyway, so it kind of defeats the object, but i do understand in theory that it is better.

If i had important information i could not lose, i would image, but i dont on my home rig, so i dont bother.. Also, like the others, i tend to swap and change hardware n a regular basis.

Slogan · Nov 24, 2008

I voted for 3-4 months, just because i feel im going to be loading XP on my fresh vista business install i did 3 months ago. The boot times and speeds are already significantly slower than my XP laptop which i havent reloaded in 2.5 years!!

FudgeNuggets · Nov 24, 2008

ihrsetrdr said:
Windows-as long as I can, as long it ain't broke.

OS X- I've reinstalled it 2 times in the last year, not because it needed it but for going from single boot to dual boot and back. Now running VMs (Linux, windows) guests on OS X host.

Linux- whenever I decide to try something new, or when I've broken it beyond repair.

Same here with going from bootcamp to virtualization but I didn't have to reinstall when I was running bootcamp and removing Windurs, it automagically removed the partition and reclaimed the space on its' own.

athlonhead · Nov 26, 2008

My socket A computer is still running fine with almost four years on the XP install.
My 939 computer about a 1.5 years old with XP on it.Still running fast as it ever did.
Both computers are overclocked.

McLovin' · Nov 26, 2008

I got a Socket 939 that when im lucky it will run for a good 1 month on a install before it completly frezzes then restarts itself but then wont boot up

Easybeat · Nov 26, 2008

Generally over a year as I usually only fresh install on a new rig. That might change however since I have moved almost completely to portable apps and it makes the whole install process so much easier.

Shelnutt2 · Nov 26, 2008

Well, this is tough cause XP haven't reinstalled in over 8 months. I usually only reinstall when I have to change hardware, which seems to be 12-18 months before I break something (mobo).

In gentoo on the other hand, this is my same install from the first time I installed it. I just keep it up to date via portage, and I've yet to break anything I couldn't fix.

EmAn · Nov 26, 2008

forgot matter of days or hours!

delman · Nov 30, 2008

Right now I have been running vista 64 since January of what ever year it came out. I don't remember how long that is but I haven't run into any real slow downs so if it ain't broke don't fix it. XP normally like once every year to 2 years

Mr.DLucey · Nov 30, 2008

I always go over a year since the Windows 2000 days.

Captain Newbie · Nov 30, 2008

Here's how I handle it:

Code:

while true; do
    use_software_that_does_not_suck
    if must_use_software_that_sucks; then
        dont_be_stupid
        maintain_crappy_software_properly
        virtualization_for_the_win
    fi
    congratulate_self
done

Vista box: 6 months strong, no problems.

Mac OS X box: 2+ years, no problems.

Gentoo box: haha, reinstall? seriously?

...

Server at work: 5 years.

dfonda · Dec 6, 2008

Voted Year Pus. Just went over 3 years and just reinstalled. That included a Mobo swap.

Just in the last 3 months things started to lag.

Audioaficionado · Dec 6, 2008

My longest to date was my old original OEM Windows 95 installation. 5+ years.

Shortest was Windows ME. Installed it, futzed with it a few days and blew it away LOL.

How long do your Operating Systems last? (reloads)

How long do your Operating Systems last? (reloads)

Matter of weeks

1-2- Months

3-4 Months

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9 -12 months

Year +

Does imaging count?

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