The next person to suggest...

[Neo]

Reformatting and Reinstalling to anyone, regardless of the reason, will be banned for a day or 2.

This is the Tech Annex, and as such, those of us who offer help and suggestions are here to offer viable options for people.

I've seen this suggested far to often. When you tell someone this, it means you've failed to help them, and you should be ashamed.

There are very few reasons to suggest such a drastic overhaul of a computer, and if you don't know how to fix the problem? Don't post a suggestion like that.

Ok then?

If your a geek, and like to help others, then thats great, thats what we've got the Tech Annex for. But if you think R+R is the best way to fix every problem, big or small, then stay out.

-Neo

[U-238]

Yea, it was funney at first but it's getting out of hand.

Btw Neo: I'd suggest you lock this so it doesn't become a spam magnet. (Since it's stickied)

Also @ Neo: Why'd you have ot copy off seals avy? I liked your old one better...

[Markpyro]

Obviously R&R is not the solution for most things, but seriously, do you need to threaten with ban? I doubt that the amount of problems would stay the same with a simple request, as the people doing the suggesting frequent the forms and aren’t likely to disobey. But ultimately it's your decision, and it has the same effect overall.

If your a geek, and like to help others, then that’s great, that’s what we've got the Tech Annex for. But if you think R+R is the best way to fix every problem, big or small, then stay out.
Lemme rephrase that. "If you don’t know the solution to a problem or you can't contribute in any way, don’t reply or suggest R&R.”
Not all of us are 'geeks', but we may know a thing or two about a certain topic and it shouldn’t keep us out of the Tech Annex.

[Neo]

Yes. I feel that its been suggested far to often, for to many problems, from to many people.

Sorry, if your not geeks, :P

It was just really bugging me.

The avy is cute. rofl! its just a gimmick, ill change it back later.

-Neo

[TimP]

Realistically, there are times when a reformat is the best option. You can only patch a tire so many times before you need to just get a new one.

[Neo]

Yes, which is why I didn't rule it out completely.

But things like "omg I get popups!!!" shouldn't get a response of "reformat and reinstall"

-Neo

[The_Maker]

Hmmm, (unlike most unwritten rules of the Warboards moderator/administrator world) will this apply to ALL members?

And, perhaps there should be a Warboards Thesarus of common computer errors and effective trouble shooting run throughs so threads like 'omg help popups' will have less a chance of appearing if the person is willing to try and solve the problem on their own BEFORE asking for help?

Just a thought...

[Seal]

when a machine is infested with all kinds of malware, its best to just reinstall the system. time, frustation and safety-wise.
consider this:
backupping the essential data: 30-60min
reformat and reinstall: 60-90min + software each 1-10min
total: 1.5-2.5h, without frustation.
result: a safe system once again.

getting antimalware tools: 10-30min
running antimalware tools: 30-60min, depending on hard disk and other hardware
removing the malware: several hours, depends on the particular malwares.
total: several hours, more or less frustated.
result: a hopefully safe system, since some obscure or crafty malware can evade the scanners.

(yes, i exaggerated the scanner way a bit, but this is about a really infested system, not just one or two common pests)

[Modred]

And, perhaps there should be a Warboards Thesarus of common computer errors and effective trouble shooting run throughs so threads like 'omg help popups' will have less a chance of appearing if the person is willing to try and solve the problem on their own BEFORE asking for help?

http://www.warboards.org/showthread.php?t=4133

Read first! At least, that's what it says on the title. Oh, and Neo, you should add a link to CWShredder, since that can take out CoolWebSearch. It's available on download.com, and I linked to it in zerg_eater's thread.

[Sikawtic]

Um Neo... it's a very viable option and I like to start fresh every so often. So w/e.

[Neo]

Once again, I'm not saying its not viable ever I'm just saying that replying ot ever post for gelp with "ZOMG REFORMAT AND REINSTALL" will not be tolerated.

I mean, it was funny the first 10 times, now its repetative, and I no longer want to wonder if people actually do it or not.

zOMG OK?!

-Neo