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If you are using XP and want to reformat or upgrade the HDD, use files and settings transfer wizard, its part of XP.
It saves all your info to a set of files you can reinstall once the reformat and install of windows is done. Having said that I'd still backup all your data, image files etc to CD or DVD, remembering to copy the Transfer files folder to a CD as well.
I only format if there is a real problem or upgrading the HDD, in other words every couple of years. 2 or 3 times a year is a bit excessive. Keep up your Anti virus and Anti spyware progs, and do a clean up every now and then. Not being a fan of all these "tweaking" tools the only one I use is PCTools Registry Mechanic which I run about every 3 months, keep that section of the system in good nick and all will be well for a long time. As for defragmentation, if you are loading and deleteting lots of programs and data, probably once every couple of months, if not once a year is enough.
Bill
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