How to Save your Files and Settings Prior to a new Reinstall

How to Backup your important Drives Files and Settings

Backup Your drivers and files
Back up all your important files to a CD as formatting will destroy and important data on your hard drive.
Download and install WinDriversBackup Personal Edition which will backup Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP
Once the program is installed read the help file on "Backing up your driver files" which gives you a comprehensive step-by-step guide.
Backup your Internet and network settings.
Backup your Settings and Files by doing the following:

Click Start, point to All Programs, click Accessories, click System Tools, and then click Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.
Click Next, click Old Computer, and then click Next.
Select a transfer method, such as Floppy Drive or Other (such as a removable or network drive), and then click Next.
Select the appropriate option for the items that you want to transfer:
- Settings only
- Files only
- Both files and settings
- Customize
Click Next, click OK, and then click Finish.
On the New Computer:a. Click Start, point to All Programs, click Accessories, click System Tools, and then click Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.
Click Next, and then click New Computer.
Click to select the I don�t need a Wizard Disk. I have already collected my files and settings from my old computer check box.
Select Floppy drive or Other, depending on how you stored your files.
Select Yes or No to log off of the computer. The new settings do not take effect until you log off.
Click Finish.

This will probably work with all windows operating systems however it has not been tested and some of the wizards are specifically for XP