Okay, I've decided to reformat my harddrive that has windows xp on it and then reinstall it. At this point everytime I log on I get endless numbers of Rundll errors and only a fraction of the lower desktop icons ever load. Now Internet Explorer won't connect to the internet while the other versions work just fine.

I want a fresh start and since all my files are already backed up on the other harddrive...

How exactly would I go about reformatting this windows harddrive step by step? (Like we're talking basic learning how to walk steps)

Also I need to know how to backup my favorite places in Internet Explorer.

So if anyone would be so kind as to walk me through this seemingly "no duh" task, I'd greatly appreciate it. Also, I've done it before but if you could remind me exactly what steps to go through in reinstalling windows, that would be swell too.

Well, if you have an installation disc for Windows, you can just have it move the old files to a separate folder (called Windows.old), and then do a fresh install of the OS, after which you can grab what you want from the old files, and then delete them.

that sounds  complicated, I'd rather just save my favorite places and then reinstall windows.

Can I just reinstall windows by putting the install disc back in and telling it to redo everything?

you can,. but you will lose HD space, use a free program like Dban. download the program, burn it unto disc, boot your computer from the disk, type autonuke, and wait a few hours. then do your install!

easiest way is backup your folders you want to save on a flash drive or portable HDD. Then just put in your XP cd and click fresh install it should delete everything.

Optionally you could use a windows 98 boot disk and boot up dos and run fdisk then delete all partitions and create a new one. Then reboot and run format C:. that will wipe EVERYTHING on you HDD

If ur gonna reformat, I would recommend Windows 7. Bcus the newest M$ operating system just came out, it would be wise to use this ocne in a lifetime opportunity to get the latest and better improving operating system. In this case, ur lucky bcus if ur gonna reformat (which is a wise decision), y not just grab the latest operating system to reformat it with?

So my advice is first, backup all of ur data either to dvd's, flash drives, external hd bcus u will lose all of it of u reformat. Then insert ur windows xp disc and do a clean installation. If ur really concerned about favorites, then i would somehow create a export file and put in it the external hd. Then u can import it later. I believe there is a feature in IE to expoer your favorites to a file, then just put it in the external hd.

But hey just remember, windows 7 just came out, so its ur choice.

actually this isnt a bad idea.

you can get an upgrade for windows 7 for $29.99 USD at win741.com. Yes it is M$ certified and legal. the only condition is that you have windows previously installed which you certainly do by having windows xp

SICK!!!

Yes.

Just in case you can print this step by step description:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313348/en-us

But it's really easy using the win xp instalation disc.

before you go out and buy win7 go and see if you computer meets the minium requirements to run it. If you have a system that came with windows xp it will not run win7 very well if at all.