this software is very good

I agree get the trial AV off of there and install avg free or other good AV+spyware app.

install a good backup utility to keep copies of your data.

Step 1: Create a SEPARATE DATA partition, and move all 'My Documents' type crap, work, MP3s, videos, whatever there. Leave about 16~32GB for windoze. EVERYTHING ELSE OFF in another partition.

Step 2: Definitely reinstall Windoze & the drivers fresh (or in my case, install Linux and use the Windoze CD as a coaster). If you didn't receive WIndoze install media, call the computer manufacturer and politely RAISE HELL. They'll ship you media. Sometimes with a whole other license code to squirrel away. THE FIRST THING YOU DO WITH THAT MEDIA: On the label size, use a 'sharpie' felt marker to write the activation code on it. Keep you disks SAFE IN A KNOW PLACE. I don't know how many times I've come over to someone's house to 'fix' their computer, and they don't have a single one of the CDs that came with it.

Step 3: Configure it the way you want it. OpenOffice.org, Firefox, dev tools, etc. Get everything working just the way you like it.

Step 4: BACK IT UP. Use a 'real' partition backup on your boot partition. PowerQuest used to make 'Drive Image', which rocked. Symantec bought it and put its brain inside the lurching, horrible beast they call 'Ghost'. As long as the partition backup comes with a bootable CD, it works. You can get a 'Live CD' with CloneZilla and GParted, and it works just as well.

The reason data goes on a separate partition from BOOT is simple. WHEN (not IF) Windoze melts down, you can just overwrite the boot partition with your drive image backup. It's so easy, you'll even do it for technically 'minor' issues that you might have sorted out yourself. Why bother? Just restore the drive image and the computer's as good as the day you set it up. Bang. Slam-dunk. Never a problem.

Then remember to do routine backups, and if you do a major change to the OS (install some big package that needs activation or whatever), just make a fresh backup (but keep at least one or two versions of 'prior' backup, in case you mess something up). Terabyte external drives cost next to nothing compared to the time you waste 'tinkering', especially if you earn your living with your PC.

99+% of the 'Windoze Issues' that people cry for help on this site would be cured by this simple expedient.

Message was edited by: rgreen4 - for language