I was wondering if there is a way that I can format my hard-drive and completely re-install windows (I know how to do this), but still keep my windows updates so that I don't have to download them all over again? Is there someway I can burn them to a cd first? Thanks, Mike.

Mike, Not once you install them. You can download the Windows XP Service Pack 1a and burn it to a cd for future use. Hope this helps. SullyD Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want...

Mike n Sully You can. It's called slipstreaming. Try eldergeek. or do a google search. gilhouli

Mike, After I mentioned the slipstream CD I thought I'd give you a caveat. Takes a great deal of effort to create. You'd be better off making an image or creating a backup. If your purpose is to save your existing programs. Otherwise just do a clean install and update. gilhouli

Perhas this can be of some help http://www.windows-help.net/WindowsXP/winxp-sp1-bootcd.html

gilhouli, Slipstreaming, huh...interesting. Thanks for the tip. I just read up on it and it'll come in handy down the road. Of course, I, personally, can't use this technique because my pc didn't come with a standard XP install CD. I have two discs that are actually a ghost file of my pc (and only my pc) the way it came out of the box. Another clever "anti-piracy" idea from the brilliant minds at microsoft. I didn't even realize it until I went to re-install about nine months in. yeah, well... SullyD Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want...