Normally people format a computer need to take about 3 to 5 hours because they need to redownload drivers and softwares, and need to reinstall the softwares.

Actually we can skip all steps by using a software call Acronis. Basically you just need to copy your entire c drive and paste it into a external harddisk. So next time when you format your computer, you can copy the c drive from external harddisk to your computer harddisk, so you don't need to resintall all the drivers and softwares.

Step 1 - Format ur pc (jz to make sure no virus and rubbish).
Step 2 - Install all drivers and softwares.
Step 3 - Test to use all software (make sure no error, and no virus, make sure everything is okay).
Step 4 - Download and install Acronis free trial version.
Step 5 - Open Acronis, insert an empty cd, click "make bootable media". It will burn some data into the empty cd.
Step 6 - Take out the cd. Plug in External Harddisk. Open Acronis, click "Backup partition", follow the process to backup your c drive into External Harddisk.

Next time when you want to format your computer, follow the steps below :
Step 1 - Insert windows cd (vista/xp/7), delete all partitions (c drive & d drive). DO NOT create new partitions, and DO NOT format partition yet.

Step 2 - take out windows cd, and insert Acronis bootable media cd.
Step 3 - Restart Computer, it will boot into Acronish software.
Step 4 - Click "Create New Partition" to create a new partition, it will be your C drive.
Step 5 - Click "Restore a Partition" to copy the old c drive from your external harddisk to your current fresh new partition.

Step 6 - Wait for 15 to 30 minutes to let it finish copying. Then take out the cd and WOW!! You got everything back. Now you just need to upgrade those outdated software like msn messenger, firefox browser...