I just noticed that I am almost out of space on my acient hard drive of just 18GB. There is only about 1.5 gigs left on it for storage.

I will be getting a new computer possibly by years end but in the meantime, can I reformat to lose a lot of junk on my computer and regain some storage? Besides general programs, I don't know what can be taking up so much space.

How hard is it to re-format and what would I need to do?

At this point, the biggest concern would be my inbox. I have my e-mail set up on OUTLOOK and I would not have an idea how to save all my e-mails.

Thanks.

 

reformatting is easy..... however since outlook is your email, hmmm... not sure how to deal with that... you dont need old emails anyways

 

We touched on formatting in a few other posts in here, but there is a very good link about how to also do this on another site.
I will try to dig up the URL tonight when I get back from work.

To save your Outlook mail (I backup my mail often) just go to file, then import/export, and you want to save your mail as a pst file after choosing export from the list.

You have to highlight the top of the folder area and tell it to include all subfolders.
http://www.pnw4runners.com/temp2/outlook.jpg

The file could be very big.
Mine averages around 75 mb.

To restore it after you format, just go to the file menu again and choose import.
You want to name the file backup.pst when saving it.

 

1. Make sure you have a copy of all your programs to re-install.
2. Not sure what OS you have, but make sure you know where to get drivers for hardware you have. XP is usually good about that though.
3. Backup whatever files you've created or collected... such as pictures, movies, word docs, whatever.
4. If you have XP, you can just stick it in the cd-rom, reboot, and follow the instructions. Not sure about 2000, ME, or 98, but there are utilities out there that will reformat your hard drive for you from floppy. Try www.bootdisk.com
5. You re-install Windows and you're done.

 

If you dont want to erase everything, I would recommend downloading Webroot Window Washer. This program allows you to clear the temporary folders/files from your computer cleaing up some space. I would also go through your add/remove programs and uninstall any programs that you dont need. just a suggestion

 

Corey, tried out the e-mail import process and worked well, thanks. Question though, how are the back-up e-mails saved even after you delete everything from your hard drive? I exported the back-ups to "MICROSOFT OUTLOOK," if that matters.

Chris, I am running OUTLOOK EXPRESS on WINDOWS '98. Outlook is on my hard drive back up disk that came with the computer. I will probably need help setting up Outlook so it can recieve my mail. Something about "pop"....

At this point, the only files that I am really concerned about are, as mentioned, my e-mails, and about ten general files. Programs I am concerned about is only KAZAA LITE because I've heard the new beta is no longer free. The rest I can download again. Example, MSN MESSANGER, which I use about once a year.

Also, I do not have a WINDOWS cd. When I bought the computer, it came with windows arleady on it. All I have is a disk back up.

I might add that I have re-formatted my computer before but I personally did not do it. I had a buddy do it and I honestly do not remember the steps he took. It was a quick process of about only two hours.

Doug, I will check into that program.

Thanks for help so far.

 

You will have to save the files to your desktop.
Create a folder and name it backup junk for something like that.

You can also save your bookmarks in IE using the same method from the file menu.
You save them as:
bookmarks.html
or something like that.
Just use the import/export feature.

To back up Outlook Express is different than Outlook.
You can Google it to find out how.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...utlook+express

Once you have files saved for backing up, rip 'em to a CD.
I hope you have a CD burner, you will need one, or better yet a DVD burner.

Here is the link from the Seattle Times Personal Technoligy section from Saturday.
http://www.cyberwalker.net/faqs/rein...nxp/index.html

You will need a full installation XP CD which runs about $300 I think.

PS, if you want to stick with 98, you do not need the full install CD if you have a Win 95 CD, or the 6 discs from Windows 3.1.
Again, you can Google to find out how to install Win 98s upgrade CD from a fresh format without having to have the full installation CD.
Done it many a time.
You just need to show the PC proof that you have a prior OS on your system by showing it the older Win 95 CD.

 

To be honest, I suck at computers and do not have the patience for it.

If the gain is minimal, I will hold out on it and just wait until I get my new computer.

If it is worth it, I will contact my old buddy and see wether he can do it for me.

 

what i do with any emails i want to keep when reformatting ,is just before im about to shut down for the last time i foward all my emails to myself & hey presto ,when ive set up the new drive, i just connect my email to the net again & recieve all the emails i sent before hand.