Phillip, read my post above where I state clearly that a new install is the
most desirable method.
Then write a program that can create a 'dead branch' in the registry - you
will find that you can't.
For a system that is otherwise clean, the user has been judicious about what
they install & what they don't, that does not have a history of virus or
spyware or any other type of malware, a repair install is fine. If you
purchase an MSI (any) board a year ago, installed a suite, had AV, never had
a virus, never installed a download etc. had stability, then there is
absolutely nothing wrong with a repair. If you run your system in such a
manner that virus and spyware are frequently found, and / or you install
software willy nilly, have general system instability problems, occasional
system crashes etc. then a new install should be regarded as mandatory as
well as a training course in computers.
My own preference is a clean install, but as everyone knows the economics of
time (of the customer) often dictate that the most expedient path is
sometimes the choice. I frequently state that people should always know how
to rebuild their systems from scratch (backups bla bla bla as well) so that
they do not get themselves in the situation where they cannot recover from a
disk failure or rebuild at the drop of a hat.
The reality is that most people: do not have a clue how to correctly run a
computer, put up with low quality / flakey systems, install software at
whim, open any email message, do not run AV software correctly, wouldn't
know what a firewall is, so really do need a new install.
The comments made by DaveW are plainly incorrect - particularly in the
context of my original statements.
- Tim
