Reinstalling all software/drivers after Format

[Powel6016]

I want to format my hdd and reinstall windows xp to start off fresh. Comp is full of stuff. The only thing I hate doing is reinstalling all the drivers/software after format. Is there anyway of making a cd with all the drivers/and installation files and do something like "cascade of installations" like one after another. Like make my own "recovery cd", possible?
Just lazy....

any help would be appreciated, thanx

[photolady]

Programs will have to be reinstalled. There is no way to save them because of the files that are installed in the registry and in windows folders. Drivers can be slipstreamed with XP SP2 into one bootable cd. But as far as I know, the drivers already installed won't work for this, you need to download them again or take them from the cd that came with your computer.

[Gnomad]

After you reinstall Windows and all of the drivers and programs that you want, you can get Disc Imaging software such as Acronis or Norton Ghost and make your own Recovery CD to restore your computer to the way you want at any time.

[Powel6016]

yea, making an image will be the best. How big are image files of the hard drive? i have a 60 gig hdd.

[Gnomad]

The size would vary with the different programs and things you would have installed. But size should not be a problem.

[photolady]

Making an image is fine however if that image is corrupt or has bugs and viruses, that's a bad thing. Make sure the image is clean before attempting this. The image size is determined by the size of used harddrive space.