Anilrgowda

First, you'll want to backup all of your important files. Of course, this will vary depending on the user, but files you want to consider are listed below (and some you might not have realized you needed):

--My Documents folder (or wherever you keep your docs)
--Any programs or downloaded files that you don't have on CDs
--C:\windows\favorites (want to keep your favorite websites?)
--Netscape bookmarks
--Any saved computer games you want to keep!
--Any special settings you have for particular programs (the .ini files for WS-FTP is an example - containing all your logins and passwords to FTP sites, the buddy lists in AIM or Yahoo Messngers, etc.)
--Your email if it's on your hard drive
--Any files created in programs that may have been saved in that particular program's directory (i.e. Photoshop defaults to save in the Photoshop directory)
--C:\windows\fonts (got any fonts you need to keep?)
--Sometimes backing up your Start Menu can be helpful in reminding you what you need to install.

--You may also want to go to Device Manager (Right click on My Computer and go to Properties) and write down the names of all your components in case you have to decide which drivers to install later. Then, you can go to the manufacturers' web sites and download the newest drivers (which may be a good idea anyway)

1. Copy whatever files you may need to Zip Disks, CD-Rs, Floppy Disks, another partition, etc. You can just drag and drop the files to those storage devices. You may find it helpful to use Winrar to compress your files, especially if you have to use floppy disks.



2. Once you have backed up your files, start up your computer with the boot disk in. Select Boot from disc. It will come up with the partitions page you will want to delete the partition its has highlighted. From there its all on screen. It will confirm the format and let it go it will tell you when finished. After it has finished Your windows installer will come up and go through that whole process. Enter your CD key blah blah blah you catch my drift.

That is it if you backed anything up on a CD or Floppy then go ahead and load that. Hope you enjoyed this tut. This tut was intended for beginners and just goes through the things on formatting so I was just saving this thread from the drought ill post more tuts later.