uninstall reinstall

Sounds like you have either 2 partitions or 2 hard drives which makes things a lot simpler .....

Outlook Express

Export your account details to a folder on D - Tools > Accounts > Export. Once you have re-installed Windows you can import them into OE.

Export your Address Book to D - Addresses (Menu Bar) > File > Export > Address Book (WAB). Again you can import this back into OE

Change the default Message Store for OE - Tools > Options > Maintenance > Store Folder and select a location on D - best to make a folder there first. After Windows is reinstalled just point OE to that location

Internet Explorer

File > Export > Favourites - to a location on D - you can import them to the new install later.

Dial Up Networking

Make a note of your ISP's phone no, etc - details in Network Connections - right click on your connection > Properties. You will need this to set up your Internet connection again.

Windows XP

You cannot uninstall as such, unless it was an upgrade over 98/Me and you took the option to save the previous installation. The route is a format and install afresh. As you have 2 drives/partitions the C partition/drive can be safely formatted without touching D partition/drive.

I am assuming that you have a Windows XP CD and not a Recovery disk Many Recovery disks destroy partition information and wipe the entire drive.

If your XP CD is an upgrade you will need an original 98/Me CD to confirm the upgrade.

Check in your BIOS that the boot order is set CD/Floppy/HD

Boot from the Windows CD "“ follow the on screen prompts "¦..

To set up Windows XP now press ENTER

Accept the Licence Agreement F8

Searching for previous versions of Windows

To continue installing a fresh copy of Windows without repairing press ESC

Ensure that the drive/partition selected is the one on which XP was set up and press D to delete the selected partition.

To delete the partition press ENTER

To delete the partition press L "“ heed the warnings and DOUBLE CHECK before hitting L

To create a partition in the unpartitioned space press C

Accept max size and press ENTER

To set up Windows XP on the selected item (Partition (New Raw)) press ENTER

Format the partition using the NTFS file system "“ preferred unless you want an install of Win 98 to access data on the drive/partition, if so choose FAT.

Set up is formatting "¦â€¦

When format is complete XP will install.

When complete install your antivirus and firewall before you even think of connecting to the Internet. Update the virus definitions immediately and then go to Windows Updates and download the Critical updates.