Checklist for Reformatting a Computer

[Barkeep49]

I've decided that it's time to reinstall windows after 3.5 years of use on the computer. I am using Windows XP. I want to make sure I'm not missing something obvious before I undertake this project:

I have:
*Backed up files from the drive I'm reformatting
*Have updated drivers of all relevant files
*Gotten my Windows Product Number
*Unliscensed eliscensed things
*Have all essential program CDs or installs at the ready
*Backed up my Boomarks folder

Am I missing anything?

[Draft Dodger]

any important emails and your email account settings and address book.

don't forget any files you might have saved on your desktop - that's a common place to stash stuff that you forget about when you go to backup stuff.

[saldana]

i always like to export my Internet Explorer favorites...they are a pain to try and find all the sites again.

[yabanci]

you should slipstream a sp2 cd. (http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sp2_slipstream.asp)

make sure you have all your user ids/passwords written down.

If you are using firefox, use the Firefox extension backup extension (FEBE (http://customsoftwareconsult.com/extensions/febe/febe.html))

[hoosierdude]

Also get and put your eLicense #s on a seperate sheet of paper as well, or burn it to a My Documents folder...I don't know how many times folks uninstalled their games, unlicensed them and then didn't write the license #s down for reinsertion... I must have had 20 30 of those a week easy at .400 SS when it was going.

[Barkeep49]

any important emails and your email account settings and address book.

don't forget any files you might have saved on your desktop - that's a common place to stash stuff that you forget about when you go to backup stuff.
I only use web based email so that wasn't an issue, but I did have a non essential, but still used, file on my desktop. Thanks for the reminder.

i always like to export my Internet Explorer favorites...they are a pain to try and find all the sites again.
Check. I use Firefox and had backed it up, though now I did so using the plugin yabanci recommended.

you should slipstream a sp2 cd.

make sure you have all your user ids/passwords written down.

If you are using firefox, use the Firefox extension backup extension (FEBE)

Hadn't heard about slipstreaming SP2 and had forgotten about the extention. Thanks!

Also get and put your eLicense #s on a seperate sheet of paper as well, or burn it to a My Documents folder...I don't know how many times folks uninstalled their games, unlicensed them and then didn't write the license #s down for reinsertion... I must have had 20 30 of those a week easy at .400 SS when it was going.
Yup. Made sure to do that.