Hi,

I've been advised that re-installing Windows XP is the best (probably only) solution to overcoming some problems I'm having with my system.

However, I've also been cautioned to back up my data before doing it because the re-installation could wipe out all my files. (Thanks for that tip, Dwight!)

I'll save My Documents, also my Favorites and Cookies (just in case). Another friend mentioned saving my Address Book. A couple people have mentioned that it's easy to forget something important. It's good to learn from the experiences of others.

Does anyone here have suggestions of other things I should plan to save when doing the back up?

Thanks!

I'd check for any programs that you downloaded from the web, that may no longer be available. I have a zip drive and all mine are saved (I have Desktop Architect, a theme manager, that isn't available any longer) in case the worst happens. I periodically back up my folders onto my zip disks.

Now that I have a CD burner - everything and I mean everything I do, download, append, change, install, etc. I back up.

Your favorites is a good thing to back up. Cookies do not need to be backed up - every site you visit should be updating them automatically.

You use cookies for this site. It installs them and updates them every time you come here to tell you what new posts (for you) have taken place since you last visit.

If you deleted that/those cookies. The next time you came here all the messages would be 'New' until you leave and return again.

If you are uncertain if you need to back it up, back it up. CD's are fairly cheap and it is better to be safe than sorry.

When you do reinstall your XP - you can easily check against what comes with it to what you have.

If you get a message that tells you you are installing a newer version of anything and it suggests that you keep the older version - keep the older version. I really messed up my last system when I installed the newer version.

Next time, start backing up once a week ( at least) use CD-RW for those things that change (ie documents, financial statements, etc.) and CD-R for things you do not change (MP3s, Pictures) I find that CD-R gives the best quality for my MP3s above all else.

If you have downloaded programs, say iespell check for example, it should have came as a zipped file. I have a specific download file for my zipped files. I open them and then save the zipped file to CD as the back up.

I would also save the sipped version of Winzip as well (unless it came with your XP software)

If you are using things like Virus scan - you should remember to not only start up the program, but immediately run the Updates for it.

Also run your Windows Up dates, get all of your patches and security updates as soon as possible.

Things like this have newer versions that may surpass the older versions you have had in past thus you didn't need to back them up.

Hopes this helps.

David

Or boot from the CD and say Install and then Repair! See if that helps before completly wiping everything out!

ivnj