> Sorry, I forgot to add the details to my message.  On Dec. 27, we were 
> infected with something called the Antivirus 2009, AntiSpyware 2009 
> malware and a ?trojan? called VirtuMonde.  After being successfully 
> removed by DELL techs, our computer speed was almost literally slowed to a 
> crawl.  Several minutes to execute one keystroke.  we're going to boost 
> the RAM from 1 Gig to 4, but if that doesn't work, we want to copy off as 
> much of our data as is safe to a removable hard drive and reformat the 
> slowed down hard drive. The thing I worry about is at what level in the C: 
> drive can I be safe in transferring personal files to the removable hard 
> drive and not import whatever has slowed our computer down.  Can I bring 
> over each account (mine, my wife's and two kids) from Documents & Settings 
> (WIN XP Home) and not bring whatever is causing the slowness?  Or should I 
> go into each account and just copy out the essential personal files?
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Ray Parrish" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2009 5:17 PM
> Subject: Re: [PCSOFT] Internet Explorer pop-ups.
>
>
>> Hello,
>>
>> You *can* move some of that stuff, but it's more involved than simply 
>> using the move command or copying and pasting the items to a new 
>> location, as Windows will no longer know where they are, and you will 
>> have a broken system. As far as I know, you *cannot* move the Windows 
>> folder, and if you do, your computer will no longer boot up.
>>
>> Moving the "Program Files" folder is not recommended, and this page will 
>> explain why -
>>
>> <http://support.microsoft.com/kb/933700>
>>
>> Instead of moving your Program Files folder you can accomplish some 
>> reduction in usage of the C drive by simply installing any new programs 
>> you get to another partition or drive on your system. When you are 
>> installing a program, always select the "advanced" or "custom" install, 
>> and you should be presented the opportunity to select the location to 
>> install to.
>>
>> Keep in mind that many programs will still insist on putting some of 
>> their files in the Program Files folder, or will at least rely on files 
>> installed there which are "common files" from Microsoft. Also, many 
>> registry settings are made during a program install, which will be gone 
>> after you re-install your operating system, so not all of the programs 
>> you installed to the separate partition or drive will work after you 
>> reinstall Windows.
>>
>> Here is an article which shows how to move your Documents and Settings 
>> folder -
>>
>> <http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/win_xp_mydocs.htm>
>>
>> Simply ignore the "My Music" folder, and put your .mp3 downloads on a 
>> separate partition or drive, as you will still be able to access them 
>> with no problems. You may have to point Windows Media Player or other 
>> players to the actual location of your music files the first time you 
>> start it, but after that it will remember where they are, and use that 
>> location instead of the My Music folder.
>>
>> If you then have a problem which requires a reinstall of the operating 
>> system, your music files will be safely out of the way, and will still be 
>> there after you reinstall.
>>
>> Later, Ray Parrish





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