to reformat or not?

[Joz]

Is there a way that windows could erase all my programs and kinda restore windows to its original state? My computer has become slow again, and I don't wanna reformat the whole thing install windows and download SP2 for the 3rd time in a year.

Joz

[bonti]

Why not using Ghost? You can reformat as often as you want and it takes only a few minutes...

[madrock]

you can download a copy of windows xp service pack 2 to your hard drive here to save having to get it should you need to reinstall.

you can even update your windows install cd to SP2. search the net for slipstream windows xp.

once you've reinstalled, ghost the partition to either another drive or cd/dvd.

i recommend obtaining a version of Norton Ghost earlier than Ghost 2005 as it installs unnecessary crap on your system.