Still not a happy bunny!

[born_2_fly]

Sorry for SPAMing these boards recently, but after my whole fiasco with my XP not working, I finally tried a repair install, but part-way through, XP complains that it can't find certain files. The thing is though, that these files are visible, and I can select them, but XP is looking for a files such as: blahblahblah.ex_ and in the window there is file blahblahblah, but it doesn't have the .ex_ prefix, even though in the properties window it shows that it is an .ex_ file! I'm gonna try once more with a non OEM disk, and try a repair install. If that doesn't work, looks like I'm reformatting.... Which is a bummer, as I can't back up any files, and the software that burns disks won't open! My only other option is to take it to PC World, and hope that they can take the HD out, hook it up to another machine, and copy the data..

I suppose the pro's vs con's of a reformat are pretty equal:

Pro's:
#1: Obviously: Then my system will work!
#2: It will get rid of a large amount of junk on my system (even though I use registry mechanic, CCleaner etc.)
#3: It will give me a chance to tweak XP as much as I can, as I will tweak before I put my data on, so I have nothing to loose.
#4: I am much more computer literate now than when I first got my setup, so I can make changes that are classed as 'risky' without having to worry about loosing data (linked to #3)
#5: FS will be wiped, and I feel it's time to start on a new slate... Just to tweak everything.

Con's:
#1: I can't physically back up all of my data, so some of the things I like, but don't need will be gone.
#2: I'm not sure if I still have all of the software disks that I had, so not all software will be able to be restored.
#3: I will have to update Windows; Mcafee; Registry Mechanic; and god knows how many other things!
#4: FS will be wiped, and although this is a good thing above, I may not be able to find all of the little known tweaks and things that I use... Aswell as the many, many little tweaks I have made in the .cfg along the way
#5: I will have to reset all programme prefernces etc.

So what would you guys do given the circumstance?  :-?

Cheers,
Alex

[Hai Perso Coyone?]

I'd suggest getting an external HDD drive...I got my 400GB for

[born_2_fly]

[quote]I'd suggest getting an external HDD drive...I got my 400GB for

[Hai Perso Coyone?]

[quote][quote]I'd suggest getting an external HDD drive...I got my 400GB for

[born_2_fly]

[quote][quote][quote]I'd suggest getting an external HDD drive...I got my 400GB for

[Kaworu]

I think that might work, except that i'm pretty sure that Windows XP has to be installed on drive C. You can rename drives, though. You'll have to do some research. Oh yeah, if you are going to get a new hard drive, you shouldn't get it from dell. I like my Maxtor 40gig drive. It's reliable and fast. Quite too! I bet Seagate and other companys are better though.