backup on a pre-damned loaded pc

The above way that xflat posted is your best way of getting rid of all the junk, unless you purchase a new XP CD.

Is your machine experiencing any problems or is it you just want a backup disk to install from if you do BUT without all the extra installed programs that you don't want?

What I would do if your machine is or is not experiencing problems is to uninstall all the programs you don't want... basically get the machine how you like it to be, run a registry clean to remove any stray left over files, do a full Virus/Spyware scan and defrag ( XPs built in one will do ) .. then use the app xflat posted above to make an image file of your HD, so if you need to install XP again you are back to what stuff you want on it.

some software and info to aid you ( I will list FREE software but their is also paid software available to do the same jobs ).........

Registry Cleaners
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=460
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=3560

Anti Virus
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download886.html

Plus their are online scans available from
http://uk.trendmicro-europe.com/consumer/products/housecall_launch.php
http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/com/activescan_principal.htm


Spyware scan/removal
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download506.html
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download2471.html
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download2859.html ( spywareblaster helps in stopping these from ever being installed in the first place )


Some info
Scanning for Virus and Trojans
Preventing and Removing Spyware
Backing up your PC


after all this you should have a nice saved image of your PC

 

Yes all that lot can seen daunting.......... but if you want to erase your HD prior to using the restore disks then get your self ( if you havnt already got one ) a windows98,ME startup floppy disk, boot your PC with the floppy in the A: Drive and once at the A:> type format c: /u

then you can put your recovery disks in and let them do their job.


Sadly if your XP cd was original booting to that allows you to delete the partition and reformat then install all from one disk..... but I have no idea if the PC manufacturers restore disks have same function, maybe one of the guys/girls here may know?

So quick question who's PC do you have Dell, Compaq etc etc?



windows 98 or ME bootdisk download can be found here
http://www.bootdisk.info/modules.php?name=Downloads&d_op=viewdownload&cid=13