reformatting disk and reinstalling licenses

I need to reformat a disk and want to know what I need to do prior to reformatting, and also how to reinstall existing licenses for:  Office Pro Plus 2007, Adobe Acrobat 6.0 Standard and Visio Standard 2007.

Pcizk when you reformat the hard disk everything will be lost, so before you start read this and check that it makes sense to you.

BEFORE YOU REFORMAT

• user data, copy all files
• user emails, if they are stored on the hard disk copy your storage file
• internet favourites, export to a file
• make a note of any settings that you will need to recreate, drive mappings, email and internet browser etc.

AFTER YOU REFORMAT

• If you have a restore cd you are lucky, if not install the operating system but be prepared to hunt on the internet for hardware drivers
• Install anti virus software and download the latest definitions
• Hook up to the internet and download the latest operating system patches and upgrades
• Reinstall all your software, you put the license codes in when you reinstall. If you do not know have the cd and license code for a program you need do not reformat until you have
• Replace your data files and recreate your system settings and preferences

Now take a disk image of your new clean system using a program such as Acronis True Image, it will save a lot of work if you ever have to do this again.

Pete

Nice advice petercheer.  I'd only add one thing:  If you use Outlook, there is a file, usually called outlook.nk2, that contains the auto-fill information for email addresses - like when you start typing my name and it gives you a list of email addresses to choose from right there in the "To:" field.  So, if you back up the entier "Documents and Settings" (XP) or "Users" folder (Vista / 7) you'll get this.  Or just search your hard drive for all *.NK2 files, but its contained in a hidden folder so you'll have to enable this first.

To that list add make sure you have the license keys and media for any software installed.  If the machine is still functional before reformatting, look at the software packages to see if there is a way to release the license for the software to transfer to another machine.  Later Adobe products have a process through the application (I think in the Help menu list) to un register the product and release the license to be installed on a different machine.   If the Microsoft products are Open licensed you should be able to just reinstall, If they are retail products, you may need to look for unregistering, or expect a call to India to get the software license key unlocked.

Dave

ahh yes, if it's for non-commercial use, I've always received permission from BelArc to use their BelArc Advisor software.  This will give you the product activation codes of most (perhaps all) of your software if you can't locate them.  quoted from their FAQ:

BelArc:

We do offer some charitable organizations a license to use the Belarc Advisor at no cost, under certain conditions. Please send us information about your charity, a url and the number of PCs and servers. Email: info@belarc.com