Time to reformat

[wild_maxx]

My computer is pretty messed up... it lags really bad even after numerous defrag's, virus scans, spybot programs ect... and its still freezing up on my. When I boot the computer it will load to the screen then freeze up... then I have to restart it up and it will work from there.

So my question.... how should I go about backing up all my important files? I want to keep alot of my songs, vids, pics, games, ect.... so what do you guys recommend?

[szh]

Regular backups are essential ... even when you are not having a problem requiring a reformat and reload!! If you do not have a backup of your files, you could lose ALL your stuff in a heartbeat - if a drive goes bad, or the partition format is lost, etc.

The simplest thing to do is to get an external USB 2.0 drive (assuming you have a USB 2.0 port?), and, if you do not have any backup software, just use the Windows XP backup program. Make a full copy of the drive and go from there.

If you have difficulty keeping the system up during the backup, try pressing F8 during the boot and bring it up in standalone mode (without network support, etc.). This loads a minimum set of drivers and may allow you to complete the backup ...

Check back here if you need more info.

Z

P.S. And, I will emphasize again, you need to learn to get into the habit of doing regular backups to avoid a catastrophe. If you do not do this soon, and you lose the drive, you only have yourself to blame!

[wild_maxx]

Are you talking about using a flash/thumb drive to transfer my files to another computer?

I don't have any other backup software other than the windown backup program.

Could I create a backup of all files on my computer and slowly burn them onto multiple cd's then go ahead with the reformat?

[GEO]

SHould always ahve a second harddrive for back up now adays, They are soo cheap. I believe norton Ghost can backup whatever you want on your drive, make them into ISO's for you to burn, so when you want to restore them, they are all there for you

[wild_maxx]

well I just went out and bought a second external HD. 250GB for 100.00 wasn't a bad deal. So... just use the windown backup program and save anything important onto the external HD correct?

[szh]

Are you talking about using a flash/thumb drive to transfer my files to another computer?

Uh, sorry ... I meant an external hard drive.

I don't have any other backup software other than the windown backup program.

That will work fine!

Could I create a backup of all files on my computer and slowly burn them onto multiple cd's then go ahead with the reformat?

You could. It is just easier with an external hard drive, that you can continue to use for backups afterwards.

Z

[szh]

well I just went out and bought a second external HD. 250GB for 100.00 wasn't a bad deal. So... just use the windown backup program and save anything important onto the external HD correct?

I'd just back up up the whole internal drive ... easier that way not to miss anything (just in case ...).

Then you can bring back whatever you need after the reformat of the internal drive and reload of the OS.

Z

[240Knightrider]

If you could burn DVD's you could have transferred the files to a folder (using Windows Files and Settings Transfer Wizard) then burned the folder.

Works great. Really though I have learend there is really no reason for a format unless you want an easy fix.

If your computer Freezes up its 1 of 2 things. Your motherboard or your operating systems. Have you tried a registry fix program? I would try if you havent, and unistall everything you dont currently use.

What kind of comp do you have?