stick the external drive in and if you are an admin user you should be able to copy over the whole drive. There are probably tools todo this but windows file manager should allow you todo this easily. Once you have made you backup copy I'd take out the old disk stick in the 500GB internal drive and reinstall XP but on that, then you are done. Or something like that. I know that makes it sound simple and a 5 minute job but I can give more specifics if you like. The first step is to get the external drive working, no point doing anything without a backup - maybe that's my paranoia.
Thanks Sam, I'll give it a go tomorrow, then back up bit that is.
The other 500gb is an old Medion HDD which still has XP already on it.
I also think you need to simplify your system, Kate. Why have multiple user accounts when it's just the two of you? It just makes things more complex than they need to be.
Once you've backed up, I'd partition the 500Gb drive before installing Windows. 80Gb should be fine for the Windows installation and programs, then you'll have the rest free for storage.
I need extra user accounts to isolate cookies, it's an ebay thing.
I just asked Michael if he had formatted the other HDD, can't remember..... bloody hell!
I'll assume he did and reinstalled XP.
Even better, a small HD for the system files only...
We don't have a small HDD, just the 2 old 500gb medions.
How do I check if either of them are going to Australian cricket heaven.