Nerve wracking...

[mapsedge]

Tonight's the night. 

I've backed up the My Documents folder.

I've backed up those programs in the "Program Files" folder that don't need an install executable, programs like ColorPad; EditPad; anything from sysinternals.

I've gone through every folder on the hard drive looking for miscellaneous remaining tidbits that I want to keep.

I've run and printed out my Belarc Advisor PC profile so I don't forget to reinstall anything.

I've done an inventory by hand so I don't forget to reinstall anything.

Using MozBackup, I've backed up my Firefox and Thunderbird settings and data.

I've collected all the relevant install CDs or copied install programs to the backup drive.

I've reminded myself over and over again, "You got your PC to this point once.  You can get it there again."

I have a new sound card (new to me, anyway) ready to install, and the relevant drivers handy. 

(Frank, do you still have a FireWire card?  32bit PCI..?)

I reassembled and restarted the PC just to verify what I already knew, that I'd backed up my Quickbooks files and MP3 collection.

Still, my hand is going to shake when, in about fifteen minutes, I insert the Windows XP CD and select "Format the hard drive and install ..."