Restoring to factory condition and reinstalling programs.

[Imagemaker]

Hi all!
I have a Compaq Windows '98 SE 64MB which still works fine except that it has slowed down lately despite all efforts at improving performance. What I want to do now is restore it to factory condition and selectively reinstall the programs that I need along with my saved documents and websites addresses.

My question is how do I selectively transfer my saved documents and favorites pages/bookmarks to a storage device, then restore the computer to factory condition and then restall my saved programs/documents/favite pages.? Also suggestion about a good storage device and method of use will also be appreciated.

Thanks for your help in this regard.

[AnotherMuggle]

First off...do you have the original discs that came with the computer? This will include either an installation of Windows OS or a disc called a restore CD (or something of similar nature).

As far as backing up what you already have...do you have a CD / DVD burner in that machine, an MP3 player or any other form of storage that you already own? If not then the most suitable device would depend on the amount of data you have to store. Personally I think a Pen Drive is always a very handy device to own and some can store a heck of a lot of data.

To save all you files you will need to manually move them to the storage medium. To save the favorites and bookmarks you can move the links from the "bookmarks" and "favorites" folders onto the storage medium and then put them back into the correct folders after the reinstall.

You may find the content of this page useful:
http://my.simmons.edu/services/techn...ookmarks.shtml

[GaryRouth]

. . . just to add a thought:

You might see somewhat the most improvement by boosting the amount of system memory (RAM) a bit. If you can find your model # (it's on a sticker at the back of the computer, usually - and the model's "series" [like a family of models] is generally on the front panel plastics [for example, "Presario 3590"] -- you can then either search at hp.com (which purchased Compaq a few years ago, but still provides excellent support) for your model, or visit the Crucial memory site (& also search by make/model) to find what memory type and what size modules your computer can use.

A compatible PC100 or PC133 module, for example, might cost about $20 for 128mb module, or about $40 for a 256mb module. Make sure you don't get a module whose capacity is too large for the motherboard - and get the right type.

You might find that you don't need to re-do everything from scratch. A few tips to boost performance on an aging Win9x system --
1) Limit the background processes to essentials (antivirus & firewall are indeed essentials --- while media players, office startup, instant messengers, etc. are not essential & can simply be started when needed) ... you can read about strategies at http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_index.htm They have a list there, too, that helps identify things.
2) Cleanup Temp files and set IE to empty it's temp folders -- Start/Settings/Control Panel/Internet Options... "Advanced"... "Security"... select "Empty Temporary Internet files when browser is closed"
3) Uninstall unused programs --- Start/Settings/Control Panel/Add-Remove Programs
4) Run a Registry Cleaner -- I recommend CCleaner (http://www.download.com/CCleaner/300...ml?tag=lst-0-1)
5) Run full-system malware checks to make sure it's not unwanted guests slowing you down. Run from both Normal & Safe Mode, run at the most thorough settings possible, and double-check things from an online scanner. If you don't currently have any antispyware programs, try the combo of AdAware & SpyBot (& use the "Immunize" function in SpyBot).
6) Defragment the hard drive.

Just a few thoughts
. . . Gary

[Dan Penny]

If you do go the reinstall route, don't forget to back up your email and Address Book. Outlook Express uses .dbx files. Outlook (from MS Office) uses .pst files. In My Computer or Windows Explorer use Tools, Folder Options, View, Files and Folders, set the system to Show All Files and to NOT Hide files with known extensions (or similar wording). Then when you do a search for these files they will show up.

[chuck4456]

Remember too, that those earlier systems used very small capacity hard drives. If you end up replacing your hard drive and continue using W98, don't go over 20GB. Larger capacity hard drives and 98 do not get along well.

[glc]

98 will handle a drive bigger than the bios on that computer can. You only need a patched fdisk or a workaround to work with more than 64gb, and there's a 128gb absolute partition size limit. If the bios can handle drives even bigger than that, no problem, but that old Compaq probably has about a 32gb bios limit at most.