Formatting Questions

[sinkoman]

HL2.net, I plan to format my PC tonight, as I haven't done so in about a year, and seeing as I haven't done this in a while, I was wondering two things.

First off, I have two Hard Drives, one with my windows install, and one with other random programs, and my paging file. Can I just move the files I want to save to the drive that has my paging file/random installs?

Second, what anti-virus software would you recommends, needs to be free. I used to use AVG, but was wondering what alternatives there are.

 

[Asus]

Does your internet provider offer any AV? Like mine has a deal with Computer Associates AV software. Otherwise AVG would probably be the best free one. /shrug

Yeah, you can move all your data over to the 2nd drive. Remember favorites. =p
What I would do is disconnect the cable to the 2nd drive before formating so it does not show up as an option in the WHICH DRIVE TO FORMAT list and you don't accidentally clear the wrong drive. D:
<-bad experience

Also don't fret if the 2nd drive (if it is a large drive) does not show up once you have the new install up and running. Often my 500GB drive doesn't show up until I patch windows to SP2 or install the utility from the hard drive manufacture (cd or website).

Most important driver to have is the network device driver! Then you can get back online and download whatever else you forgot.

 

[Barney Fife]

Most high-speed (Cable DSL) ISPs provide free anti virus firewall programs like McAfee and such.

Good Luck.

 

[DEATHMASTER]

I got mcafee for free.

 

[Xendance]

Ad-Aware SE Personal.

Free.