Hi, if you make a folder somewhere on the drive (eg: the desktop so you can find them easily) and use the export feature in outlook express, you should be able to export your messages/settings etc to that folder. It should be pretty straight forward from then on to copy everything to a disk before you go on to format and reloading xp. (go to outlook express/file/export to export whatever you want to the destination of your choice.) Once you have formatted and reloaded, just import the messages etc using exactly the same method, but this time it will work the other way around; instead of taking them out of OE, you will be bringing them back in, if that makes sense? That might sound a bit double dutch, and I apologise if it does, but if you try it you'll see it makes sense. You can also use the import/export feature in IE to export/import your favourites. Hope this helps. Michele Sayer --- Just to clarify; if you've got a virus, it's not from me! Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.732 / Virus Database: 486 - Release Date: 29/07/2004 The NOSPIN Group Promotions is now offering Mandrake Linux or Red Hat Linux CD sets along with the OpenOffice CD... at a great price!!! http://freepctech.com/goodies/promotions.shtml