What things to backup before reformat?

About to reformat, I must admit I’m a little scared about this, but something is wrong with my PC, and I’m about to solve it, once and for all.
What shall I backup, I have a 1GB Memory Stick, Im only backing up the things I need, can someone do a checklist?
*Worried, that if I mess up, no games to play at Xmas*
Answer #1
Watever u feel is very important like documents or files which u wont be able to find anywhere else
Answer #2
http://forum.pcmech.com/archive/index.php/t-43639.html
use driver genius to back up your drivers
Answer #3
I use Driver Magician, done Drivers. I’d like a proper checklist please.
Answer #4
What I did is made a 30 gig backup partiton and put all my stuff on that. 90% of the time I reformat I would forget something and it would bother me for weeks trying to remember what it was, so I put everything useful I find in a backup folder.


Answer #5
Thanks, I think I’ll do just that Couldn’t help me partition, the disk Management does not work with me, can you help me? I’ve got the XP CD, which app is best?
Answer #6
Which app is best for creating a Backup partition? That would most likely be Norton Partition Magic 8.05 but it would be best to create the partition after a clean install of Windows. When your PC is at it’s best, after installing everything you need just create a backup partition so that restoring your Windows to near factory condition is easy. Good luck mate ^_^
Answer #7
Thanks alot
Answer #8
remember if your problem is caused by virus damage or other drive damage you may only copy the same problems to the newly formated system I would start clean and get any needed drivers from the web
windows will install basic drivers for all but the very unusal hardware to get you on line to download the real ones
Answer #9
remember if your problem is caused by virus damage or other drive damage you may only copy the same problems to the newly formated system I would start clean and get any needed drivers from the web
Idd, would just reinstall clean
Answer #10
remember if your problem is caused by virus damage or other drive damage you may only copy the same problems to the newly formated system I would start clean and get any needed drivers from the web
That would be a problem if he has only one computer and his LAN drivers would not be detected, eh? Best solution would be to back up all the needed documents and format completely. A full format of the HDD. After that installing the default drivers is easy enough if you have the disks for the hardware. For example the Motherboard CD, the GFX card CD etc. After that getting the new drivers online is easily done. I’ve never bothered backing up my drivers up till now but that’s your choice Worry. Good luck mate ^_^
Answer #11
– Make sure you have your NIC drivers handy (for internet access).
– Write down any passwords for apps where you clicked ‘remember password’.
– Export your Favourites/Bookmarks.
– Export your address book/emails (or make a copy of your Outlook .pst file for example)
– Search your primary drive (the one you’re going to format) for .mp3, .wma, .ogg, .avi, .mpg, .vob files etc.