Before formatting have the following ready:

  • Have a full installation cd of Windows (or a recovery cd)
  • Make sure you have a firewall and av software on cd so you can install them before going online.
  • Make sure you have all drivers. (mobo, soundcard, videocard, modem, network card, etc.)
  • Backup data you want to keep before formatting.
  • Have info on your network/dial up settings ready.

After formatting and installing the above, immediatly visit Windows Update and get/install ALL security patches.

Microsoft had released totally free update cd’s with many patches/updates. They stopped supplying it, but maybe someone there has one you can borrow. Will safe you a lot of download time.