Hi Don, LOL.."now I remember WHY it has been so long since I have done a "clean install". It was a "headache". I think I got confused on the program I was asking about. I was thinking of an imaging program similar to Ghost but "free". I really should be using that program though on my new laptop since it is pretty much how I want it now. I thought a free one was listed here awhile ago. I am sleepy tonight but if I have any questions, you know I will be asking ;0. A long time ago, I had ordered the sp2 CD I think but I should have sp3 now installed on my system. I will need to see where to download it though online if I will need to save it for later. What is Silverlight? I am buying a router soon also, I guess best to hook that up after the clean install. Not really sure, I understand about the portable software yet but will google it as you suggest and look into it. *On another note, I have been having an issue with my old HP scanner 3570. It use to work like a charm. I had misplaced the power cord awhile back and thought I found the right one, still not sure but the power comes on when I use it. The problem is the light appears burned out or something. I barely see any light when it is scanning. I do not know if I have the wrong cord, need a driver update, or a bulb of some kind just happened to burn out. Any one have a clue? I really do use this scanner often and hate for it to be out of use. thanks, christy ----- Original Message ----- From: <recklessmaverick@xxxxxxxxxx> To: <pctechtalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Tuesday, August 04, 2009 1:20 PM Subject: -=PCTechTalk=- Re: Drive Imaging software / was Another Win 7 update. I'm not Gman, but I don't see any need for a tool such as that. Those are designed for data recovery after you have formatted a drive or otherwise destroyed all access to the data via normal means. You don't need it if you have done a back up of your data before you begin the clean install. Also, once installed, the data will have likely been overwritten by the new system or all the temp files used in the install process. To summarize: These are disaster recovery tools. A clean install, in most cases, is not a disaster. Back up your data, I also think that the link Gman gave was for the drive image software product information page. You found the company home page and the software is a little further down on that page. For a clean install: 1. Back up your data. 2. Take a second look around to be sure you got all the data backed up. 3. Backup stuff you may not consider as data: the downloaded files to install software, email folders, settings and configurations and so on. This is also a good time to make sure you have all the drivers you need. Go download them if necessary. Save them to an external device. Do the same for SP2 and SP3 (In theory, SP 2 is not required if you have SP3) 4. Take a second look to be sure you got everything mentioned in step 3. 5. Gather all the discs you will need to install XP, drivers and software. There may be several and will likely include a version of EasyCD Creator or similar and Help&Support software from the manufacturer. 6. Go for a bathroom break, grab a cup of coffee, eat a snack and get charged up for the task at hand. 7. Repeat steps 1 through 6 at least once more. 8. Disconnect the computer from the Internet. 9. Install XP. Early steps will give you the opportunity to partition and format. Do so as you wish. I strongly suggest a format and NOT the quick one. If you have done a full scandisk and repair recently you can do the quickie. 10. Answer the prompts during install. These are very simple and easy, especially if you have done this before. Things like language, location, time zone etc. Step 6 may be repeated at this time if desired. 11. Install drivers. Video first and then set display settings so you won't strain your eyes doing the rest of the process. 12. Install Security Software, Install SP2/3 as required. 13. Connect to the Internet and immediately update your security software, then Update Windows. If you do not want Silverlight, IE8 or other optional stuff, leave it unchecked and mark it to be hidden. Download and install will take some time. Do step 6 again but replace a snack with a meal. 14. Run update on your security software and Windows over and over as required until they report that all updates are installed. Do this at least once, even if step 13 reported everything was done the first time. 15. Install manufacturer software as needed or desired. Check each program for updates immediately after each programs install is complete. Want to make you next clean install easier? Consider: 1. Using "portable" software. This does not add thing to your computer or registry except in very rare cases. It also keeps its data right along with the software. If you use "LupoPenSuite" or "PortableApps" the menu/launcher provides folders for all of your data files in a folder tree under the main folder. Portable software can even be placed on your hard drive. Shortcuts can be created to all of your software, you can put them in your startup folder and do basically anything else you can do with an installed program. 2. Once your latest clean install is complete install and use an imaging software tool to make an image of your hard drive. Then your next reinstall will eliminate steps 5, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 15. And those will require only a minimal amount of time and effort. Numerous links have been posted here to find portable software. Google (without the quotes) "free portable software" to find more links than you can follow. Don cristy wrote: > Hi Gman, > > I would like to start the process of doing a "reinstall" of my system win > xp. Do I need a program like this one to do this? I have not downloaded > it > or used it before but I think someon mentioned this earlier on. I have > not > done a reinstall of an OS in a few years so would like help. Is this the > correct link for the download and would d/l do the first or second one > listed > > http://www.runtime.org/data-recovery-downloads.htm > > thanks, > christy > > --------------------------------------------------------------- Please remember to trim your replies (including this sentence and everything below it) and adjust the subject line as necessary. To subscribe, unsubscribe or modify your email settings: //www.freelists.org/webpage/pctechtalk OR To subscribe to the mailing list, send an email to pctechtalk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with "subscribe" in the Subject. To unsubscribe send email to pctechtalk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with "unsubscribe" in the Subject. 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