Gallego8

If your pc hasn't been working well for a long time, consider re-installing the operating system (OS). Windows degrades and becomes bloated over time, and the only feal solution is a destructive re-install where the HD is wiped clean and reformatted. Be sure to extract all of your music/photos/documents off of the PC first. The Windows files will continue to corrupt until one day, tomorrow or next year, it won't start. Many talk about re-installing the OS every two or three years, more often if you have surfing teenagers, less often if you don't use the internet much or install a lot of programs.

As far as system restore, I always keep it disabled, because it is unpredictable, and seems to cause instability in Windows. I hear repeatedly how it was unavailable when needed, or had a negative effect on the OS after it was used.

My problem is simuliar.  However, I want to discuss something that you just might know.  Before I had a Dell I was running Windows XP Pro and do with the DELL.  When it actually became necessary to wipe and start over I would always low format and then format and then reinstall everything.  There are two other options that I used.  One is a reinstall that keeps all your files and programs and  does not remove them or wipes them.  That works most of the time, but you spend hours updating.  The other one is a much held secret way of repairing all files.  These instructions are found on the Lange List.  I accidentally ran across it and have had extremely good luck with it.  The problem with all this is now I have a DELL which brings me to the question I want to ask and the correct answer will also help the other guy on this thread.  Will the DELL XP Pro Resource disk have the option to reinstall the system without destroying all your files and programs like a normal Microsoft Windows XP Pro disk will do?  I need to know because it is necessary for me to do something very soon.  I need this answer.  Now for another question.  I am no longer in warranty so my question is can I use my Microsoft XP Pro disk and do a repair install without loosing all my files and programs like I do with none DELL systems?  Not being a computer expert I would think it would just think DELL specific files were currupt and rewrite them???

yes,  you still can do a repair with no problem. but have you tried running scan disk yet?

Remember I said I am not a computer expert.  So forgive me when I read too much into something simple to you and complicated to me.  Does your yes, you can still do the repair with no problem mean that the DELL Resource disk has an option for repair without loosing your files and programs?  Or does your yes, you can still do the repair with no problem mean that I can use the Microsoft  XP Pro disk for the repair by reinstalling and keeping my files and programs?  Or does it mean wipe and format?

I looked in the Dell Manual that came wtih the computer and I see no reference to scan disk.  Please tell me how to do that with a DELL by the Look Spot. See Jane run.  Run, Run, Run method.

Fpetri

The re-install!

There are different levels of re-install, and the only one that has any value is the destructive re-install that wipes your harddrive clean, re-formats it, and sets up Windows as it was new. This method will most importantly place all the correct Windows files on place for a few years of solid computing. The other choices invite constant fooling around, Windows errors, and bring another re-install closer. Take your data off of the drive, onto an external HD or burn discs.

OS vs drivers

Your dell recover discs (or partition) contains Windows and the software drivers that allow all of your hardware to communicate with Windows and each other. A store bought copy of XP has no drivers. The drivers are mandatory. Some will use a copy of XP, and put together a cd of the drivers for their PC, and install them after re-installing XP.

Warranty

Your warranty does not affect the re-installs, just your ability to talk to a Dell person about it for free.

Thank you.  All your points are well taken.  I have to agree with you on what is the best way to go.  Although I hate to start over, It is the best way to solve all problems.  I guess it just has to be done.  I am up to 3 or 4 problems all the time and that does not include maintenance and the slowing down of the computer.  I am about to blame everything on updates.  sometimes I think if I turned off automatic updates and downloaded nothing dbut SP3 that I would have 100% less problems.  Internet Explorer 7 is killing me.  I am about to consider using only IE6.  Do you have any opinions about any of this?

fperti

Windows Updates - These are important and are a benefit to your system.

Internet Explorer7    is causing problems for many.  IE 6 is much worse. Mozilla Firefox is a  much better browser in many ways, especially that you are less likely to get viruses and spyware, and it is free.

Imaging Consider using Acronis 10 to image( back up) your HD after Windows and all of your core programs are installed and updated. The inevitable re-installs will then be a few clicks with Acronis.