Reinstall OS

[konvict]

hi all...
i'm having a lot of problems with my computer...i think i have to reinstall the OS...
This is the first time i'm doing it,and i have no dea how to back up my files.
I have a few games installed in E drive,and some essential softwares on F drive.
As i guess i have to format the C drive and restart the computer and then insert the boot disk when the computer laods up...Is it correct?
and my question is-will i be able to play games and use my softwares even after i reinstall the OS?'
Pls somebody help me with this
System specs-Win Xp pro,1gig Ram,Intel dual core,80gig Sata HDD.

Note-No internet on that comp.

[Deerpark]

As i guess i have to format the C drive and restart the computer and then insert the boot disk when the computer laods up...Is it correct?

Correct. But the XP install disc can format the c partition for you so no need to format it beforehand.

and my question is-will i be able to play games and use my softwares even after i reinstall the OS?'

You wil most likely have to reinstall the majority of your software. But it depends on the software.

[street1 (RIP)]

Are these E drives and F drives actually different drives,or
partitions of the same drive?

How many hard drives are installed?

[konvict]

I'm not sure.i have a c,d,e,f Each drive has a memory of 20gig each.
I suppose its a partition of one physical drive,coz i remember seeing only one hard drive when i purchased my comp...

[konvict]

Its a partition of the same physical drive.Do i have to format all the drives in order to reinstall the OS? or just formatting the C drive will do? I'm not good at computers except for playing games,so pls bear with my questions.I really want to have my games and softwares to be on my computer,is there a way to ensure that they wont stop working after i reinstall OS? Pls help me regarding this...
Thanks and regards
immu

[street1 (RIP)]

What type of computer? Manufacturer and model number ect...

Did you get restore disks with it,or an option to make a
one time copy of original restore on CD's ?

[konvict]

Its a custom made computer,i purchased each component and had a technician to assemble it for me.i didnt get any restore disks with the computer as it was custom made...

[WillyW]

Its a custom made computer,i purchased each component and had a technician to assemble it for me.i didnt get any restore disks with the computer as it was custom made...

You bought a copy of Windows XP Pro and the technician kept it?

[konvict]

i dont know about the xp cd...all i have is the mobo cd with me...i'm not much familiar wit comps,except playng few games and using auto cad software,so can you guide me pls?

[street1 (RIP)]

Wow! Have you tried a restore point?

---->SystemRestore

Also,try downloading and running CCleaner to remove all the junk.

----->CCleaner-->Here

OFF TOPIC_Wonder what 'Willy My Man' is doing today? Always gives
me and Peckerwood a good laugh.......

[konvict]

restore point wont work becoz i didnt create one 

[WillyW]

i dont know about the xp cd...

You know you don't have it, right?   
And WinXP Pro was installed by that technician... or is that incorrect?

Therefore,  the tech must have kept it.     


You paid for it, right?    If it were me,  I'd be going back to that tech and asking for what I'd paid for.

[street1 (RIP)]

i dont know about the xp cd...

You know you don't have it, right?   
And WinXP Pro was installed by that technician... or is that incorrect?

Therefore,  the tech must have kept it.     


You paid for it, right?    If it were me,  I'd be going back to that tech and asking for what I'd paid for.

Sounds like a solid plan...

[quaxo]

i dont know about the xp cd...

You know you don't have it, right?   
And WinXP Pro was installed by that technician... or is that incorrect?

Therefore,  the tech must have kept it.     

You paid for it, right?    If it were me,  I'd be going back to that tech and asking for what I'd paid for.

I was kinda scratching my head on that one too...

[konvict]

I'll tell you wat happened,there is a place called richy's street,where you get all the computer components.one fine day my friend and i went there,found a store and bought the components for a computer and at the place there was a comp tech,we hired him,gave all the bits and pieces of the comp and software and the next day he gave us the monitor,the tower and the mouse and keyboard and gave us instructions about which cable goes where.we took it home and connected every thing,and eureka!!!!! it worked !

that was 6 months ago,and the chance of finding that tech are very slim...I'm going crazy with this thing,i knew nothing about computers at that time   i didnt even know to ask  for the cd for win xp,how stupid of me  
 
now when i started learning about it,its giving me these problems...i'm very helpless...