Reinstall OS

[atrusomder]

I need to reinstall my OS. I am running WinXP on my HP Pavilion ZV5240 notebook and I have all the disks that came with my computer.
~~I didn't/don't have a backup disk~~

My computer was preloaded with the OS on it. The disks that came with my computer are:
Operating System CD MS Windows XP Home SP1a
MS Windows XP Critical Security Updates
Application Recovery CD Contains software apps already installed/ for reinstallation/ repair only
Driver Recovery CDsoftware/drivers already installed for reinstallation/ repair only

My questions would be:
What do I need to save before I do a reinstall?
(My documents, Music, Pictures, etc) and do I simply save them to CD's?

I use OE for email? Do I have to save that too and all the email's?
Do I save that on CD's as well?

Once I have everything saved--- Do I simply put my OS CD in the drive and follow prompts?

Any and all help would be appreciated as I DO NOT have the money to have someone else do this for me!

TIA

 

[Foxhound]

Why exactly are you doing an install? If you are having OS issues you may be able to do a "repair install". Thi scan be done by starting the steps to do an install but when it sees the prior install on the existing partition, it will ask "Do you want to try to repair the existing installation?"

Otherwise it all depends on what you want to save.

Make a copy of your Documents and settings folder. It has most of your program data in it.

Microsoft Outlook stores the files in the below types of files.

*.pab files are Microsoft Outlook address book files.
*.pst files are Microsoft Outlook mail files book files.
*.rwz files are the Microsoft Outlook rules wizard files.

Microsoft Outlook Express stores the files in the below types of files.

*.wab files are Microsoft Outlook Express address book files.
*.mbx files are Microsoft Outlook Express mail folders.

Hope this helps.

 

[Regor]

Ahhh... the annual XP refresh. I agree with Foxhound. Save your Documents and Settings folder. Unless you changed your defaults, this is where most of your stuff should have been saved.
You can make a backup file of it using the XP backup utility in the System Tools folder in the start menu if you don't have your own backup utility. This should give you one file. If the file is too large to fit on a CD or DVD (God knows mine is), you can use a zip utility like WinRAR or 7-Zip to split the file into smaller chunks for copying onto CDs or DVDs.

Now its time to rock. I use a slimmed down version of XP that I built using N-Lite. Similar to a Black XP DVD. I use factory disks as coasters and recommend that everyone do the same unless you have some odd network card that XP doesn't have drivers for by default. The drivers and updates that the factory provides are out of date when you first pop the box.

 

[atrusomder]

Thanks to you guys/gals?

I think I'll dodge the trouble and just get a new laptop! It's time, this one's almost 6yo.
I currently have a HP ZV5240us

Anyone have the HP G60-125nr or the HP G60-235DX?

Are either of these decent models for the under $600 range?
I'd only use it to surf and do photo editing /photodvd.