Make sure you have all the software needed and up-to-date backups of
all your personal stuff. My personal check-list:
OS install CD and serial number
CDs/DVDs and licenses/serials for various software (office, adobe,
winrar, nero, bank, games....)
CDs/floppys with drivers and software for various devices: router,
printer, mobile, SATA disks....
Internet login procedure and username/passwords provided by ISP
Backups of: docs, pics, music, movies, software installation packages
not on removable media, bank account certificates, .pst files, Firefox
personal folder, game settings for various games, passwords for various
internet sites
Prepare your computer: one harddisk, one CD player, monitor, mouse and
keyboard preferably PS2 (not USB), speakers. Unplugg everything else
from all ports (printers, card readers, USB devices, external
harddrive, webcam, your NIC if you can and know how).
Take some time to think: how large is your disk? Do you have more than
one? I like to keep my stuff on different partitions: OS and apps on
15GB, a 9GB partition is just for temp folders, 20 GB for "My" folders
(docs, pics, music), 25GB partition that I share on the homenetwork and
other places, 30GB for backups. These are numbers that work for me.
Your needs might be different. Decide on what you think would work best
for you.
Make sure you will have some time to spend with your computer,
reinstalling the lot can take from 4 hours to several days, depending
on how many apps you need and how much customization each one of them
will need.
If you need more guidance, please post back.
Regards,
C.
