My home computer is long overdue for a system wipe/rebuild. I'm beginning the process of backing up my important docs and apps. I intend to install a slipstreamed Windows XP SP3. I'm about to wipe my C drive Any suggestions on things I should do before I wipe my C ? Suggestions on things I should do immediately after I install my new OS? Suggestions on protection? (I intend to use NAV, AdAware, Spybot S&D, and Malwarebytes) Any other suggesions?
as soon as you re install. Get your new drivers and av etc. installed. Priorities. mine is due for a wipe too.
Make sure you have all of your product id numbers/ special drivers and that you know how to install them back.
Prior to the reinstall, make sure you can read the important data you backed up. I'm really paranoid about stuff like this, so I make a second copy to a different location.
internet explorer/firefox bookmarks! they have always been one item i've left out. also, if you're doing any partitioning you may want to take that into account. other than that, it's the usual serial numbers and registration keys others have already mentioned.
Before you even reinstall, download the updated drivers for your whole computer. If you're pressed for time, at least make sure you have your network card drivers to get to the net and update accordingly. Put them on a cd or usb key and have all your license keys available. After you've gotten all your programs and windows running the way you like it. Take an image!!! That way you wont have to go through this process again and just image your computer to its best state. You might wanna try www.clonezilla.org, its what i use. Running a defrag after you've installed everything might be beneficial to you also. Have fun!
After your install is 100% complete (including drivers, security apps, etc), ghost an image to an external HDD. That way, the next time you have to reinstall, just format and re-image your box.
