So I'm restoring my computer, any tips?

[Auggie2k]

Well after months of my computer being extremely sluggish and overflowing with useless information, I have decided a full fresh restore is in order. I am looking forward to using a once again quick computer and I have decided this time to only install the basics eg. alcohol 120, winrar,zip,ace, shareaza, office, photoshop cs2 etc. Anyway before I begin I was just wondering if anybody has any handy little tricks in guiding me through this process, just so it's easier on me when I start it over again. I have my documents, favourites and desktop backed up, my firewall configuration noted and my antivirus setup wrote down! So did I miss anything?

Thanks people! My predicted result tonight... Ireland 3-1 Israel! :icon_prof

[cpugeniusmv]

I believe you've got all the bases covered.

Good luck :-)

[crackerjacker]

yes have my dinner ready

[YWD67]

Back up, back up,back up,back up all important files.

Good luck! GO IRELAND!!!
Not much on soccer (I take it that is what you are talking about) but being of Irish ancestry (father:McGee/mother:O'Donnell) hope Ireland wins as well.
I am though a "Never Say Die" Notre Dame Fighting Irish football fan.

[ferrarimodena360]

biggest tip is slipstreaming
slipstream xp with sp2

if ur an advance user, then u can also try nlite (requires .net), in addition to providing easy slipstreaming
it lets u chose what components windows should not install, like msn explorer, msn messenger, wmp and also drivers etc
all these items can be removed right away from the install cd of ur windows xp http://images.six.betanews.com/screenshots/1087118197-1.png

http://www.nliteos.com/

[YWD67]

biggest tip is slipstreaming
slipstream xp with sp2

if ur an advance user, then u can also try nlite (requires .net), in addition to providing easy slipstreaming
it lets u chose what components windows should not install, like msn explorer, msn messenger, wmp and also drivers etc
all these items can be removed right away from the install cd of ur windows xp http://images.six.betanews.com/screenshots/1087118197-1.png

http://www.nliteos.com/

How much space did you save by using it?

Is there a guide that tells you what things you should not keep from being installed?
Being limited in the knowledge of myy WXP system (any system at all realy) I am afraid that I would leave something out that should be there and then screw up my whole computer.

[ferrarimodena360]

well i havent used it,
but u cant leave anything important out coz its very gui, for starters dont mess with anything u dont understand
dont mess with internet explorer , lol
i think it also has settings that let u chose between presets designed by the author of what to rmeove and what not to start with those presets

once again i havent used it
Very comprehensive guide http://www.nliteos.com/guide/

[Krell]

You can get a slipstreamed version too, without even looking around much.

I recomend doing this if at all possible.

Another thing you may want to do, is use Aida32 to double check your product keys for softwares such as Nero, and to note which drivers you will need to reinstall, make sure you already have CDs or folders for those drivers.

Also, depending on your hard drive size, you may want to partition it, and not use the whole volume for your C: drive, just a thought.


Good luck!
.

[Malakai1911]

nLite works very (very) well. You can remove almost anything "safely" (your PC wont crash or anything) but if you remove something by mistake the worst that will happen is a loss of functionality. You can always just try again if that happens.

I remove alot (IE, WMP, drivers, etc...) and havent had any problems but your milage will vary. I suggest removing just like... unimportant stuff the first time so you get used to nLite.

Also, you can check my sig for my security guide and tips :-). I've been meaning to add an nLite section to it because you cant have a vulnerability in something that isnt there.

[Auggie2k]

Man it's great! Only got four words... fresh as a daisy!

[nukehella]

No other feeling like it.