Crispin said:
I reinstall my machine more often than I care to remember (always own fault or upgrading hardware something etc)
A rule which makes it easier is to do is keep all your important stuff on a separate disk, that way, when it comes to reinstalling stuff, you don't have to worry about keeping stuff.
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Generally installing new software with conflicts.
Over heating kills them.
Top priority ------------>Keep Pictures and Document folder backed up onto a 1 terabyte running W7.
To be fair, this W7, hasn't locked up, or blue screened me since I bought it 2 years ago.
It has had some serious hard work, been through many airports, out the case "bump bang, into scanner tray, back into the case the case bump / bang, but still works a treat.
The one thing I do have, is I have it sitting on a USB powered fan.
Lower at the front, higher at the back, easy to use.
It is hot (29 to 34 deg. ) every day through the summer, and it needs cooling assistance.
The base is the size of my 15 inch laptop.
The fan itself, must be a good 7 inches dia.
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[attachment=0:1v8ll9fx]Fan.JPG[/attachment:1v8ll9fx]
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Gra.