Format C
 

Getting ready to take the plunge, and double checking stuff before I do so.

As determined in another thread, I have obviously picked up some kind of something. I can't run the cmd window, or a couple of other windows related things.

I have an external drive to back up to. If I tell it to backup the computer, that will include the operating system, and I don't want that. I know to avoid telling it b/u windows files, but are there any others I don't want?

When I re-install, I am going to partition so that the os sets by itself. How much space should I allow for xp pro?
5 gigs???

it needs 1GB~~ of space
but to be on the safe side i use 6-15Gb for c:
to keep it small, clean and easy to use ghost images

Thank you! :)

Try OneCare from Microsoft, they have a backup system that will just save the stuff thats been created on the computer - it will virus scan it before doing it as well.

I would copy EVERYTHING over including windows folder, etc.. storage is very cheap now a days, might as well be safe...

Pardons in advance for my ignorance, but if I copy everything over, and I have a virus (I haven't been able to detect one, but something is way wrong), when I restore from backup, won't that copy the virus into my fresh os?

drives are cheap . . . use 1 60-80 gig drive just for the os and put all yer data somewhere else . . bmb

5 gigs is an overkill, but then you may need more for installing programs

I was thinking you selectively restore it, restore only the stuff you need. You would reinstall windows, reinstall all the software, and then mostly copy over just the data you need...

I feel your pain, its one of those things that just have to be done every once in awhile

10 gigs for the C drive! That should be enough for all the programs + xp!

Remember to backup the stuff on your desktop. I ALWAYS forget the stuff I have on the desktop

Well, that nasty chore is over with.

Except I never got the option to partition during installation.

So it is all back on the same section of the drive.

Which I guess isn't too bad. I hadn't had to reformat since I got it a year ago.

Now I'm off to read up and see what I missed while I was getting things back how I like them and having cocktails.