Hi, Can someone please tell me what information other than data I wish to save should be backed up. I do make copies of information/software programs I wish to be sure to have backup copies of however, I am not sure what other information I need to / should back up. I recently had a message upon startup that informed me that my hard disk drive was going and that I should back up my data and replace the hard disk drive. It is being replaced next week (monday afternoon). I just do not know what other information I should back up. Also how do I save the information -- the username and password information that is saved whenever I go to a webiste that requires me to enter these thicng to enter the site. I have box checkmarked to save this information and would like to know how to save this info and reinter it when the new hard drive is installed. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

If you are sure that your hard drive is failing then back up important data. You don't need to backup programs since they should be easily installable if you have the CDs. I would also backup the favorites. Go to Start->Run and type in "favorites" without the quotes. Copy all those files into a floppy drive. After you install the new hard drive and Windows, copy the files back to the same folder. I think the cookies are in My Computer->C: Drive->Windows->Cookies folder. Hope that helps. Kevin.

"System Restore" acts as a safety net, allowing you to return your system to a reliable state in the event that an application or driver installation wreaks havoc with the system. It does this by creating Restore Points - a snapshot of your system at a time when it was working well. Start|Programs|Accessories|System Tools| System Restore| You are given the radio button choice between "Restore my computer to an earlier time" or "Create a Restore Point". Choose "Next" and the screen allows you to pick a date from the calendar (only dates in Bold are the Restore Points). Follow the on screen display. Good luck. Bill.

hello if you are changeing hard drive becase the old one is dieing i would back up all data that is not covered by reinstalling o/s such as faverites and added programs,pictures and mp3 files any programs you added. you could just clone your old hard drive to the new one useing the soft ware provided be the new hard drive maker some times ships floppy with cloneing program on it if not goto hd makers sight and d/l utility norton ghost is a veary good after maket program to clone your drive with. in cloneing your drive you make an exact copy of drive. you need to set the new drives jumpers to slave and put it in spare on ide cable and run cloneing program from floppy. after dreive is cloned shut computer back off and remove old drive remove new drive set jumpers to master and insta on ide cable where old drive was reboot. system should now be running with old o/s on new drive like nothing ever happend. if there any questions your not sure of google them have a nice day.

Hi, Thanks for the help. I am quite certain that the hard drive is going bad. The other day when I turned on the computer I got a screen that stated "SMART failure predicted on Hard Disk 0 Maxtor 98196h8-(PM) Warning: Immediately Back Up your data & replace your Hard Disk Drive. A failure may be imminent. Press F1 to continue." I contacted the manufacturer of my computer since it is still under warranty and they are sending someone out next week to replace the hard disk drive for me. I have already backup all of my personal data/information and my email as well as my favorites. I just don't how to go about saving/making a copy of my password list - those screens that pop up when entering a site that requires a username and password. Whenever I go back to those sites now the box pops up with the info already in the boxes and I just click okay. Thanks Again