WIN XP Reinstall Question

[loree]

I have Win XP 256 Memory Intel 4 1.6 GHZ

Something is not right with my system lately. It's really slow. I decided that I would reinstall my WIn XP to clean it out.

I am new at this so bare with me.

Will I loose everything on it if I reinstall?
Should I first try the System Restore. I just don't know how far back to go.

When I reinstalled my CD software just to see what came up. Nothing came up. Is there something I need to do to prompt me on whether or not I want to reinstall this CD. Do I need to select one of the key buttons.

Also, my kids have saved all of their stuff on the C drive. Is there a way for me to transfer that to my D drive or is it too late?

Thanks

[HAL9000]

First things first... have you done a virus AND spyware check? If you want to re-install, boot from the CD and select the repair installation.. this will leave everything intact and re-install the system files.

[loree]

I currently have Norton anti virus and I have been updating it. I haven't used the spyware check for awhile. Maybe I will start with that first.

thank you

[trulad]

You may also go to "System Tools" and do the "Disk Cleanup" followed by "Disk Defragmenter". This can eliminate some clutter. I do this on both of my machines every weekend.
Trudy