backup and wipeout

[reet]

ok, it's time for the dreaded backing up and reformatting. Just way too much stuff on the ole puter and starting to act screwy (the puter not me!).

What is the best backup method? I have an external usb hardrive. Just do a Microsoft backup? If I do restore after reformatting, won't I just get back my screwy problems?

I will have to have my original programs right to reinstall? After I reinstall them, then do I need to update them before reinstalling my data files that go along with them or do I just reinstall from the backup?

would appreciate suggestions on best procedure to do this.

[ktkendall]

I agree that if you do a microsoft backup then restore you'll be right back where you started. Sounds like what you want to do is just back up your data files, (docs and pics and downloaded installation files), reformat and reinstall XP clean, than reinstall programs, than just copy over data files to wherever you want them to be..

[reet]

kt....that is it exactly. any additional suggestions or notes that i need to know?

[ktkendall]

What kind of problems are you having??

[reet]

where should I start.............

my usb devices quit working and then redetect, my internet explorer (not firefox, but the one program that will not work with Firefox) freezes up and have to do a CRTL+ALT+DEL to get out of it (mandatory real estate agent website), just basic stuff. Hasn't been wiped out in over a year. Lots of trial programs that I don't use, etc.

what about programs that are associated with a palm device? Some programs are a 1 user only and will i have to somehow uninstall from palm or if I wipe out the puter, will that effect the palm device?

[ktkendall]

XP is pretty stable and does not need reloaded every year like win98 did. You probably just need a good house cleaning, or you may have hardware problems in which case and software reload will not fix.