reinstalling windows vista

[pimlico]

after endless niggling probs with java, activeX and flashplayer, a friend has suggested I reinstall Windows. I have never done this before and wonder how difficult it is. I understand backing up my files etc but what happens to my e-mails, do I lose them? I am medium computer-literate.

[ChuckFickens]

it's pretty easy, nothing to be hugely worried about, if it is a brand machine you should have all the disks that would be required. as long as you have everything backed up then you have nothing to lose by trying.

As for emails what software do you use for email?

[pimlico]

internet explorer 7, virgin is my server

[ChuckFickens]

no problem with the mails then, they are not stored on your computer they are stored on the virgin server, after reinstalling just login again and they will all be there.

[vehelpfulguy]

pimlico, people who say "reinstall Windows" to solve a simple problem are taking the easy way out.

From the problems you are having a re-install of Windows should not be required.

For example Java can easily be completely removed using the uninstall process.

ActiveX programs can also be simply removed from a computer.

Re-installing Windows is using a hemmer to crack a nut.

[sp1214]

Why not go back to an earlier restore point if possible

[pimlico]

thankyou all for your suggestions. Chuckfickens, I am pretty sure that my e-mail files - as opposed to my inbox - are stored on my computer not at Virgin. When you get a new computer, all your old files don't reappear, surely? sp1214, I have bad experiences with restore point, - if there is something wrong in my registery, a corrupt file or whatever, then will restore point have any effect? The problem at first was that flash player would not load and I couldn't see various videos etc. I uninstalled it and reinstalled it according to the Adobe suggesons and it wouldn't install.Now I have installed it but I still get error messsages saying it's not there and that Java Script is not turned on - which it is. It's driving me mad!!!!!!!!!!!!

[beso]

If you are going to reinstall why not upgrade to XP? Your copmuter will run a lot better.

[ChuckFickens]

pimlico

If you are using internet explorer to get your emails then you are using a web based email so all emails are stored on virgins servers, you can check this by simply logging on to your email from another computer and you should see all your mail just as you would from your own computer.

If you don't have access to another computer then creating another user on yours and logging into your email from that user account will do the same thing

I actually do agree with beso that your computer would run a lot faster with XP on it, but you'd need a copy of XP to install it and then you'd have to hunt round and download all the drivers you'd need, which could be a pain so probably best to stick with vista.

[beso]

Yes. Newer does not mean better despite what the hype claims. Vista is a resource hog and the computer will run faster on XP. It won't disable your hardware when it thinks you have unlicenced content. or keep asking you if you really wanted to do something.

You won't be stuck for drivers and software will work properly.

XP is the pinnacle of the Microsoft Operating Systems.