If you are doing an "image" or "clone" backup, that will include the OS as well as all your installed programs, updates, and document (pictures, music, etc.). Then if the hard drive is indeed failing, you can purchase a new one, not expensive at all now, install it, and use the clone to reinstall your entire computer with everything just as it is right now. There are several free programs that will make this type of backup for you if you can get one to install. This will save you a ton of work bringing everything up to date since XP has been around long enough that there are a ton of updates. I have used this one and find the GUI very easy to follow: Here is a link that might be useful: EASEUS ToDo Backup Free

If the Dell is still under warranty, he can call Dell tech support and they will completely walk him through reformatting his computer. I have reformatted with Dell's assistance numerous times, ending up with a 'just like new zippy' computer. I bought the extended warranty on my Dell which covered up to 5 years on the hardware, and now no longer have to pay for any warranty, but have life time coverage for tech support. The extended warranty was not very cheap, but since my computer is 7 1/2 years old now, and I've not 'had' to spend a cent on it, I feel the warranty cost was well worth it. I did recently have a local computer repair person install a new drive, and reformat the computer, and he got all the updates and installed all necessary programs. He only charged $50, so I thought that was well worth it for me to not have to spend a lot of time getting all the updates and everything, since my ISP speed is not very fast. I would not feel very comfortable with trying to attempt to reformat without tech support walking me through everything.

Also a feeling of being tired. :D It has been a lot of tedious labor with a good measure of handwringing. However, as I completed each stage, the feeling that it would all work out increased. Now, I would love for it to "just be done." But it really is all about the details so I just need to jump in and get it done. It has taken a very long time but mainly because of waiting in between the working. For example, we waited to address the backsplash until the cabinets and counter tops were installed so we could be sure we would like our choice. Originally I wanted to do magnetic stainless steel back splash, but I am glad I abandoned that idea and went for glass subway tile. We chose Emenee Everest and of course after waiting two weeks for a sample, we learn it is on backorder. :( This picture does not do it justice. It is a range of semi transparent sage green colors mixed with some white and some grey. It looks like it was made for our kitchen color scheme: Trying to fit all that neat stuff under the sink was a huge challenge. We don't have a framed outside wall, it is all brick, so I had to bring all the plumbing and electrical into the cabinet itself. We had to fit the large disposal, traps for both sinks, electrical, plumbing for dishwasher and the faucet as well as the filter and heater tank for the filtered water dispenser. Add to that the air switch and you can imagine it was some tricky work inside that small cabinet. I will admit to cursing more than once. :) We also had to build the cabinets in front of an air vent so we redirected it into the sink cabinet base. This means I had to seal the hole in the cabinet that goes through the floor for the plumbing. I used some metal flashing and metal insulating tape to create a sealed tube through the floor and cabinet. We had to abandon the idea of the slide out trash can. But luckily we can fit a small trashcan in there as well as a few cleaning supplies. I will say that the Black & Decker complete guide books, this forum and the DIY network had a lot to do with my success in this project. I feel like we certainly learned by our mistakes too though. Orchestrating the whole project on a busy schedule combined with waiting around for ordered items to arrive presented a time challenge. I think if it had taken another week we might have been pulling our hair out. :) We did buy four new cabinets. One for over the microwave because it was small enough to boost the microwave and allow us to fit the pot filler in there comfortably. The other one was the kitchen sink cabinet. Our old cabinet was 27" wide with a single 25" wide sink. That was decidedly too small. So I found a nice 16 ga sink that was affordable in a 30" size and a sink cabinet that matched in a 30" size. I know you are thinking that doesn't work. Well it did but was tricky for sure. We didn't have room for a larger sink cabinet but wanted a large sink. The other two cabinets were the ones above the sink on the wall. There is a funny story there but it is a bit long so I don't think I will type it out now.

To turn it off: Go to Services>Indexing Services>Properties>Startup Type and select "Disable">Apply>OK To rebuild: Go to Control Panel>Indexing Options>Advanced>Troubleshoot and click on "Rebuild". If you decide to rebuild, Berk...it will warn you that this exercise takes a while. They're no underestimating. It does take a while and can take upwards to 2 hours plus so be prepared to do something else while the system is rebuilding the index. Hope this helps.