When I am faced with this, I will create a second partition using something 
like Partition Magic which allows non-destructive partitioning.  I then copy 
everything from the original C partition to the new D partition, and 
format/re-install the OS, apps to the new C partition.  You have a squeaky 
clean install and an on drive back up of anything that may be missed later. 
After any data is retrieved from the D partition, D can be formatted for 
extra storage or re-incorporated back into C partition.  I will also use 
Ghost to image the C partition to the D partition, and later burn the image 
to a CD or DVD.  If space is a concern, an external USB drive will 
accomplish the same result, with out the need to do any partitioning.
Mark
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Gillett" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, December 30, 2006 2:19 PM
Subject: Re: [PCSOFT] Slow computer


> On 30 Dec 2006 at 3:47, [log in to unmask] wrote:
>
>> My daughter's computer was extremely,  extremely slow -- like you have
>> mentioned.  I asked her if she had  anything important on it and she
>> said no.  Then I told her to format the  HD, which she did and it runs
>> like a brand new computer, cause it's so fast  now.  Harriet
>
>  The conversation you don't want to have goes:
>
> A:  Thanks for reformatting my machine, it's much faster now.
>
> B:  You're welcome.
>
> A:  But where did <xxx> go?  I need that!
>
> B:  Oops.
>
> Users cannot always correctly answer the question "Do you have anything
> important on the machine?"
>
>
>  From the fact that a re-format sped things up, it's possible that a
> defragmentation of the file system would also have achieved this effect.
> It's more likely, however, that an accumulation of spyware, adware, old
> cache files, and other unneeded junk was eliminated by the re-format, and
> most of that could also have been found and removed by a less drastic
> approach.
>
> David Gillett
>
>                         PCSOFT's List Owner's:
>                      Bob Wright<[log in to unmask]>
>                       Drew Dunn<[log in to unmask]>
>
>
> -- 
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.16.0/609 - Release Date: 12/29/2006 
> 4:48 PM
>
> 

                         PCSOFT's List Owner's:
                      Bob Wright<[log in to unmask]>
                       Drew Dunn<[log in to unmask]>