Ok, so I'm getting that if I want to get my XP running faster again I might just want to
clean the registry. But if I want to move all the stuff that gets downloaded to my C:
drive to another volume or hard drive, and reinstall XP on C:, then I'll need to be
conscious of various drivers... Many of my applications are on another volume but
some are on C: . I've read if I do move my entire C: drive elsewhere and reinstall
that XP will find executables, etc. and everything should run as before.

But then I read I'll have to edit the registry as to where various programs now reside.
I definitely don't want to reinstall every application. What else am i looking at besides
the registry that would be complicated?

Is this a manufactured computer or one you installed XP on yourself?

In other words what type of recovery CD do you have?

A Clean Install or a Factory Reset will require you reinstall all your programs and updates.

A Repair Install will reset XP but not affect your programs or data.

If your computer is manufactured you are limited to the manufacturers options.

If you installed your own XP and have the CD you can run a Repair Install.

Repair Install XP
--------------------------------------------------
1) Boot with the Windows XP CD and at the Setup Screen press the Enter key

2) You will be taken to the Windows XP Licensing Agreement. After reading the agreement press F8 to proceed

3) The next screen gives you the option to do a fresh (clean) install or to "Repair the selected Windows XP installation." Press "R".

4) Windows XP will copy the necessary files to your Hard Drive to begin the installation and will then reboot. You will see the message that informs you to "Press any key to boot the CD". Do Not press any keys this time just wait a few seconds and the Windows Startup Screen will be displayed. Following this you will be greeted by the Windows XP Setup Screens.

5) When Setup has completed you should find all of your previously installed applications and settings are intact.

This isn't a brand pc so no recovery disc. Repair install sounds like it would deal w/my
'Windows rot'. If it doesn't hose any of the stuff that downloads to my C: drive. At this
point I'm leaning towards Registry cleaning. I'm also thinking about cloning C: to
another hard drive, switching the two (changing it's size in BIOS if I need to), then doing
the repair install and go from there w/updates.