Backing up and reformat

[Magic_x_uk]

Just wondering as to what is the best way of backing up files etc.

I presently just use a few blank DVD's and record whats important onto them.

Then reformat and have to go through the pain of installing every app, game, etc onto my system. Is this what you all do. Or is there something i have missed that perhaps i should look at?

Just takes a while finding all the disks, installing them. Setting things up how you want them etc.

Using XP Pro with SP2

Thank you

 

[Phaser]

I just have a hard-drive split in to 2 partions, windows on one, and all the applications, games, movies on the other. (exe setup files)

I create a new folder on the other partion, and copy all important docs such as email and program files/plugins etc, reformat the Windows partion, and then run all the setup files again. Then move the important docs back over. Saves messing around with DVD's and I can have a full reformat with all my programs on done within an hour.

 

[Magic_x_uk]

Understood Phaser, but i dont use a partition. I only have 1x 74GB raptor at present, intend to buy another HD soon though, dont understand partition. How to set it up nor what the benefits are anyhow.

Any links or advice on why i shoudl consider a partition and how to set it up.

Also when you then do a reinstall, do you in fact get 2 drive letters for the same hard drive then ? is that what partition does, kind of, make one hard drive into more than one. like c: / d: / e: etc ? but all from the same HD

 

[dirtydog]

If you used Norton Ghost or equivalent, you could reinstall Windows and all your software in one go, with everything set up just how you like, in about half an hour.