I've posted a couple of times before about the problems we've had with the desktop PC, and we've decided it's probably time we ditched Windows ME and got something more modern :D

We upgraded Norton Antivirus (don't start a rant on that topic please ;) ) but the whole thing fell over complaining about space

The PC has a divided hard disk - C: = 3.7Gb, D: = 15Gb (which is virtually empty). Can we change this allocation?
C: keeps stropping that it's full
We've just re-read the defrag thread, so that's in hand
The AutoCAD temp files are being deleted now
Outlook Express is full of c2ap that would take far too long to delete thoughtfully, so I would like to archive to CD wholesale (just in case) but how do we do this, and how do we get at them afterwards?

We're going to have to bite the bullet over AutoCAD 14 & LT98 not running in XP :( but needs must :rolleyes:

Right, anybody got any ideas where to start? :confused:

Originally posted by Strix
Outlook Express is full of c2ap that would take far too long to delete thoughtfully, so I would like to archive to CD wholesale (just in case) but how do we do this, and how do we get at them afterwards
How to backup and restore Outlook Express:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q270670

Originally posted by Strix
The PC has a divided hard disk - C: = 3.7Gb, D: = 15Gb (which is virtually empty). Can we change this allocation?
C: keeps stropping that it's full

Yes, this can be changed. When you install XP by booting from the CD you can delete all existing partitions and recreate new ones to your liking or even have it all in a single partition. Remember that this will result in the loss of all data on the hard drive so back everything up to CD first.

If you choose to upgrade the existing installation the Microsoft software is unable to resize the partitions so you'll need to look at a third-party tool like Partition Magic that can change partition sizes without losing data.

A bit of advice: Your existing 20GB hard drive is looking small by modern standards. Why not splash out on a new, bigger hard drive? You can then put this in the machine as the main HDD and your existing drive as your second drive. After installing XP on your new drive you can simply copy everything you need from your second drive. You'll still need a CD backup just in case tho.

Get a new drive and start afresh.

Then put your old drive in and use it as a backup.

If you need a big, good quality drive today, go to Aldi. They have 250Gb Western Digital drives with 3 year warranty for £70.

Failing that, nip over to Microdirect in Manchester tomorrow and while you're there you can buy your pal Alch a beer!

Thanks guys :thumbsup:

We're not getting another drive - we don't do music or film on it, so the current capacity is easily enough

Just started it up in safe mode as instructed for defragging........
You should see what it's done to the desktop! :shocked:

Temp acad files have now gone, but have left a whole load of stuff in 'temp files' that we cant identify.

What are .dll files?

dlls are dynamic link libraries - they are part of the operating system.

If you're going to do a fresh install why are you bothering to defrag it?

My mistake - safe mode was adopted to try to trace some adware that was supposed to be attached to the registry files

Originally posted by Strix

What are .dll files?

Originally posted by 'Cyclone', when I asked some IT questions on this forum last year.

"dynamic link libraries - libraries of common code that can be accessed by client programs thus reducing the amount of code that needs to be distributed with a single program".

HTH

Why do things that you dont understand? Save outlook and your other documents/link and just do a fresh install of XP.

if u need any advice give us a yell.

ive worked in I.T for 10 years (poor me)

Originally posted by 999tigger
Why do things that you dont understand? Save outlook and your other documents/link and just do a fresh install of XP.

you do things you dont understand cos thats how you learn :)

Originally posted by melthebell
you do things you dont understand cos thats how you learn :)

I agree, what an expensive way of doing things tho :(

Thanks for the suggestions :thumbsup:

Mr Strix has been poking about whilst I wasn't looking, and has now removed some lurking McAfee stuff that didn't disappear when we uninstalled it yonks ago.

Norton now seems happier for now, and we're just trying to decide how best to back the darn thing up, given the fact that it hasn't got any space on it for doing that 'pretending to write' thing that Nero does (if that makes any sense ;) )