Stilly -

If you have your installation disks for your WinME and Win2000 there is probably little use in backing up the program stuff - or even if you don't have them. Most of it will probably not function just by copying back when you get things sorted out.

There are procedures available in the Microsoft Knowledge Base for making a backup that will work to transfer most of the operating systems to a new machine; but it requires a whole lot more than just copying the stuff.

Back up your data, and rely on original installation CDs for the system stuff, if at all possible.

If you have your Norton CD, it should allow you to make a "Norton Startup" disk. Norton recommends that you make one to scan for viruses before you begin the Norton installation, so it should be easy to do. I'm not sure, offhand, whether you can copy your new Win2K virus definitions to the startup disk, but the Norton Installation instructions should tell you - if you've got the disk.

Assuming you've got Norton on both Op Systems, did you check to make sure that your definition upgrade lease hasn't expired on one of the systems. It's pretty easy to get two different dates registered when you use two systems. If you can open Norton, the main window should show an expiration date.

Assuming you've got installation disks, the only thing you need to backup is the stuff you've produced. The main thing is to get everything that you can't get from the installation packs.

Of course documents (.doc), but don't forget templates (.dot). Spreadsheet worksheets and worksheet templates. Email and Address Book often get forgotten. Music: scores, midis, waves, etc. Photos and Scans - .tif, .jpg, .bmp, and whatever else you've used. Browser favorites.

If you have to reinstall the systems, you'll want to go get all of those updates you've been keeping up with; but most of the early ones have been rolled into later stuff - so it shouldn't be as painful as if you had to go through everything you've done before.

Questions?

John