I tried that the last time I had to reformat and while getting the update download from AV I got infected AGAIN. I finally had to take the machine to a tech service who installed all the then windows updates AND AV updates before I went online... ----- Original Message ----- From: "Don" <dsw32952@xxxxxxxxx> To: <pctechtalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Wednesday, February 09, 2005 7:39 PM Subject: -=PCTechTalk=- Re: reformating hard drive. These steps should minimize the risk of infecting a newly formatted drive while reinstalling programs and restoring data. Back up the list of items below. FDISK and Format your hard drive Install your OS Install your virus and security programs and configure them to monitor downloads and installations Run Windows Update Update your virus and security software Install all your programs from the original disk Scan your back up disk(s) with your virus and security software. Copy your backed up data to the hard drive. This list of stuff to back up is probably/hopefully complete for most home users... YMMV 1. All folders and sub-folders in your Outlook/Outlook Express message store folder. 2. Outlook/Outlook Express address book files. 3. Internet Explorer Favorites folder 4. My Documents folder and all sub-folders 5. Data folders for programs that don't use the My Documents folder. (such as a password manager). 6. Files, links and shortcuts on your desktop that you put there. Don Address Change Alert!!! Please delete dsw32952@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx from your address book. My new email addresses: Group/Maillist related: dsw32952@xxxxxxxxx Personal mail: dsw28705@xxxxxxxxx All other mail: dswabc@xxxxxxxxx Do YOU want a gmail account? Ask me for an invitation. ----- Original Message ----- From: <sandy1943@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: <pctechtalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Wednesday, February 09, 2005 1:08 AM Subject: -=PCTechTalk=- reformating hard drive. >I want to reformat my hard drive to get rid of all my problems... so now > what's a good back up program or should I just use Windows XP? Major > problems with Outlook and outlook express as well! And if I do a back up, > and then reinstall.......... am I going to create the same problem? What > exactly do I back up, just the word files etc or the program themselves > or............ any and all advise is welcome and appreciated! > > > SandyLea To unsub or change your email settings: //www.freelists.org/webpage/pctechtalk To access our Archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PCTechTalk/messages/ //www.freelists.org/archives/pctechtalk/ For more info: //www.freelists.org/cgi-bin/list?list_id=pctechtalk To unsub or change your email settings: //www.freelists.org/webpage/pctechtalk To access our Archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PCTechTalk/messages/ //www.freelists.org/archives/pctechtalk/ For more info: //www.freelists.org/cgi-bin/list?list_id=pctechtalk