Keeping a clean XP machine

[Jim Sims]

Thank you all for the suggestions. Quite interesting to read how many  
approaches
everyone is using.

Just for the record, I've downloaded Acronis True Image which provides  
back up
utilities, disk cleaning/wiping utilities, and an image utility. Seems  
rather fast
and does not slow down the Windows machine at all. Cost me $49.

The Try&Decide utility feature allows you to create a temporary copy  
of your hard
disk. Using this copy, you can perform changes on the system that  
otherwise might not
be advisable, such as installing new software, downloading files from  
the Internet, or
opening e-mail attachments. If, during these operations, the system  
crashes or is infected
by a virus, you can delete the temporary duplicate and restore your  
system to a known, healthy
condition. A simple reboot will restore your original hard disk and  
any changes, including
the virus or other unwanted changes, will be gone.

Thanks again,

sims