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Another thing you might try to help speed things up a bit is run the Windows Task Manager to determine if the slowdown really is drive-related, or whether one or more application's processes are hogging system resources. You can do so by pressing the alt/ctrl/del buttons at the same time, which will open the Windows Task Manager window. Click on the "Processes" tab, then look in the "CPU" and "Memory Usage" columns for percentages or amounts of memory that seem higher than most of the others. Note: don't kill any of the processes by clicking on the "End Process" button unless you are sure it won't impact the other running processes. If you're not sure, let us know which processes seem questionable.
HTH,
jan c.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: techwr-l-bounces+lauren=writeco -dot- net -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+lauren=writeco -dot- net -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> ] On Behalf Of Nancy Allison
> Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 8:13 AM
> To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> Subject: Checklist for Reformatting
>
> I've just done a web search for "checklist for reformatting
> hard drive" and I have not found anything like what I'm looking for.
>
> I work from home and don't have an IT department to rely on.
> Even after I run SpyBot, Counterspy, Norton, and AdAware, and
> even after I did a partial reinstallation of XP, my computer
> is still as slow as cold molasses.
>
> It's time to reformat my hard drive, but despite saving
> almost everything to an external HP Personal media drive, I'm
> scared to death that I will lose key data. Here's the backup
> checklist that I've come up with so far:
>
> 1. Export Contacts, Calendar, and Mail from Outlook, and
> back up the exported files.
>
> 2. Export Favorites from IE and back up.
>
> 3. Back up all known data files.
>
> 4. Back up all downloaded executables that I will need to
> reinstall software.
>
> >From your collective wisdom (and painful experiences) --
> What hidden or obscure files am I not thinking of?
>
> Honestly, I could not find an existing checklist for personal
> computers. If there is one, please point me to it. If there
> isn't, I'll create one from what I learn here and send it to
> anyone who'd like to have it.
>
> Thank you for your help. I am sick to death of having to take
> a nap while waiting for a new application to open . . .
>
> --Nancy
>
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Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more. http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList
True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com
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