I'm getting a lot of Illegal Operation error windows and freeze ups, so I'm about due to reformat and do a clean install of everything. I don't mind doing it, but I've never found out if certain things can be saved to a CD and reinstalled after the reformat. There are four things I'd like to know if, and how, I can save.

1. Cookies -- When I try to save any of them (offline), it says my security settings are too high and I can't save them.

2. Outlook Express 6 messages and addresses.

3. IE6 URL's

4. Windows Updates (can they be saved to CD, or do I have to download all of them again from the Windows Update site?).

Thanks for any thoughts

Best....log_splitter

1. Cookies
Just copy the C:\WINDOWS\Cookies folder to your burn CD and copy them back when the O/S is reinstalled.

2. Outlook Express 6 messages and addresses
File, Export from the main menu bar. You'll have several choices as to the backup file parameters. ie; comma seperated values, database, Excel file, etc. Export these to somewhere OTHER than C: as you'll be formatting this drive (I presume).

3. IE6 URL's
This would/should be the c:\windows\Favorites and/or c:\windows\History directories. Same as number 1 above.

4. Windows Updates
From the LangaList (Fred Langa Newsletter)

How To Save Your Win98 (And Other) Updates Offline
Dear Fred, awhile back you mentioned an accumulative update for win 98 that could be downloaded and saved for later use. I REALLY need this thing because I don't wanna switch just yet and for my "gaming" system I may never want to switch... Could you please tell me where to find this elusive combo patch? Thanks ... and Fred, thanks for the great read !!!----Joe Fukuto

There's no single patch with all Win98 updates in it, but there's a way to get all the separate patches, including some "cumulative" patches that combine several (but not all) separate patches into one larger download.

It's easy--- actually much easier than it used to be: Go to Windows Update; select "Personalize" from "Other Options" in the left menu, and activate the "Display the link to the Windows Catalog" option, if you have not already done so. The Catalog will appear in the "See Also" menu on the left. You can then use the Catalog to pull down whatever Updates and Drivers you want. (It also gives you an easy way to see what you've already downloaded.) Items you select go onto a "download basket" from which you can retrieve and place them where ever you want--- on your hard drive, on a CD or whatever--- for safekeeping and later use.

If you experience any problems, post back with them before you format/reinstall.

Thanks Dan Will post back if any problems. Much appreciated!

Best....log_splitter

I'm still having the problem with copying/pasting Cookies. When I try, it says my current security settings prohibit copying or moving anything from this location. I tried setting Security to Low (just long enough to do this), but when I tried, same thing....wouldn't let me copy Cookies. I checked Security again, and it had already reset itself at Medium. I'm not sure which Security setting to change to be able to do this.....

Just wondering why you want to copy the cookies... they are temporary files and some can harm your system...

Maybe I am being so old ? I always delete them all as soon as I can.

Chris

The advice that Danpenny gave you was good. However, Ironbender has a point; cookies are immediately replaced when you visit the websites; there may be a few of your favorite sites that you belong to that you will have to re-log into to set the cookie, but then you are done. There really is no paramount reason why you would want to keep them. In fact, many cookies are also in your Temporary Internet Files also.

There are only a few cookies I want. They are for my online bank account and some forums I go to (I'm not sure I remember all the passwords.....Yeah, I know, my fault.....I should have written them down).

Anyway, it's just a convenience to not have to enter usernames and passwords every time I go to one of the sites (this is one of them, btw).

At least, I THINK the info is stored in cookies. Please bear in mind that I am no more than an "intermediate" user....if that. Probably somewhere between novice and intermediate. There may be some things I don't know about concerning this.

Anyway, just seemed like a good idea if I could save certain cookies, but I also could be wrong (wouldn't be the first time )

Best....log_splitter