[MowermanEd]

I'm using XP Pro and it's getting time (1 1/2 yrs since last) to do a clean install to clean up all the mess that I've accumulated. I download and try a lot of programs and even though I faithfully run a registry cleaner, spybot, adaware, MS Defender, and Kapersky AV the system still gets clogged up with junk and slows down. My question is: I've backed up my "catalog" to another drive that also contains "My Documents" and "My Pictures". I want to know if when I wipe my "C" drive and reinstall Windows will I be able to restore "My Catalog" easily to PS3 when it's installed again? I hate the thought of having to re-tag over 5000 pictures!

[Spider111]

If you'll restore your pictures with the same program you used to backup them, I don't think that you'll encounter any problems.

[MowermanEd]

I did the backup of my catalog from within PSE3, under >file>catalog.

[bkdc]

I am some what of a nut when it comes to backups.
I always keep a backup of the actual pictures within the catalog by copying the pictures & catalog to a different drive or cd.

The actual pics are stored in your folder located at:c:\documents and settings\All Users\Application Data\Adobe\Catalog Folders\my catalogs\proxies

The data base is located at:
c:\documents and settings\All Users\Application Data\Adobe\Catalogs

*Your path may vary depending of where you have it installed.

You can just copy both directories to your second drive, & then copy them back to your C drive after the reintsall.
1) Copy actual pic (proxies) to second drive.
2) Copy data base (Catalog) directory to second drive.
3) After you re-install copy all files back to their original directories.

* On the first run you may have to point PSE-3 to the proper catalog.
-Open Organizer \ click File \ Catalog \ Open\ highligt the .psa file \ ok

[MowermanEd]

Thanks bkdc, I'm now good-to-go!