2007-01-08 23:20:48 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Other - Computers
If you format your hard drive, you will wipe everything that is on the drive - all data, programs, Windows itself.
If you have a Windows CD and the install for the major programs you want to put back on the machine, then simply backup your data (pictures, music, videos, documents, etc), format, reinstall Windows and the programs, and back the data back.
If you want to backup the entire hard drive, you will need a backup or cloning software such as Norton Ghost or Drive Image. They copy EVERYTHING from your computer to compressed files on CDs or DVD. Once you have formatted the hard drive, you use those discs to put everything back to exactly the way it was before you formatted the drive.
However, since it backs up EVERYTHING, that means if you have a virus - it gets backed up and reinstalled after the format. If you have a corrupt file, it gets backed up and reinstalled after the format. Etc. The PC will be back to the way it was before the format (including all the same errors).
If you are wanting to make the backup as a protection, because your PC is working good and you want to be able to go back to that point in the event of a crash, then a backup or cloning is good to do. If you are wanting to restore the PC to a refresh install of Windows because of errors and problems, then backing up the data, formatting, and reinstalling the programs is what you want to do.
2007-01-08 23:31:00 · answer #1 · answered by dewcoons 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You could try Acronis True Image, its a very reliable way of making a copy of your hard drive which you can use to re-install everything exactly as it was when you made the image. I heard they're giving away free copies of their older versions.
http://www.acronis.com
2007-01-09 08:01:04 · answer #2 · answered by sarah c 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you can try norton ghost software to backup[ currently installed programs
2007-01-09 07:24:09 · answer #3 · answered by shah mahavir 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋