Just Me

My computer crashed last week. The HDD had some sort of problem; it looks like maybe a corrupt MBR or similar issue because a scan of the drive reveals no errors. I put the HDD in another computer I have at home and using a file recovery program I can get at the files, but I will need to do a reformat and reinstall.

So, my question is: Which files should I try to backup? I am running XP SP2, Office 2003, Firefox and several other common applications. I have grabbed everything that was under My Documents, any Word Documents, my Outlook .pst file and a few other bits and pieces. Which other files should I go for? I'm thinking configuration files, bookmark files, address books, etc. But obviously they would have to be usable when I reinstall XP - not all apps let you simply copy over the old version of the config file.

And a reminder: I can't boot the drive or open any applications on the drive so I can't start Firefox, or Outlook, to do a proper backup of the files.

Thanks!

I'm looking for the happiest or funniest single sentence (no more than ~30 words). It can be a fact, a personal story or whatever you want.

I'm looking for the saddest single sentence (no more than ~30 words). It can be a fact, a personal story or whatever you want.

I'm interested in watching the Le Mans series racing, in particularly the Peugot team now that my favourite driver Jacques Villeneuve drives for them. But Le Mans is a very poorly covered sport in North America - much worse than even F1 - and I don't have a clue where to catch it to watch.

Are there any online sites that either stream or make downloads of the races available? It's a long shot, but I thought I'd ask.

I'm wondering how long the average guy goes before changing razor blades. I'm talking about the kind of razors where you change the razor heads, not electric.

...be the same person you last had sex with?

[Grammar police: please forgive me for ending my question with a preposition.]

I need to replace my Pioneer VSX-D458 which came as a HTIB (along with standard 5.1 speakers). The receiver is okay, but its lack of any digital inputs makes it hard to find a DVD player with 5.1 analog outputs.

I'm looking at these:

Onkyo TXSR304S ~$280

Pioneer VSX816K ~$300

Sony STRDG800 ~$360

Harman/Kardon AVR144 ~$370

Denon AVR-687 ~$450

All prices Canadian.

I know a lot of people will say the better units (H/K, Denon, Onkyo) are the way to go, it's better to get one of these with less features than one of the lesser models with more features, etc., but keep in mind the following:

1. I am not an audiophile (I'm just using standard Pioneer speakers).

2. I want the receiver to have all of the technical bells and whistles that I'll need for the next 7 or so years. I don't want to have to buy again to get DTS, or video switching (<-?).

Which of the above would you recommend, and why? Which should I stay away from? Any others which you'd recommend in this price range?

Thanks!

My $30 DVD player has died so I've decided to spend the money and get a DVD recorder.

Can anyone recommend a good model, available in North America, with the following requirements:

- DivX compatible

- has a hard drive

- has analog 5.1 outputs (i.e. 5 separate RCA outputs) to match my home theatre receiver

- plays PAL/NTSC formats

- region-free

- good reliability (i.e. preferably a 1-year warranty)

- less than ~ $300

I'm looking for more than just a manufacturer, I need the model number, too so I can then see where I can buy it in Canada.

Thanks!

Does anyone know what is the record for the longest period of time played without a whistle or other stoppage of play? It seems if a play lasts 3 minutes it's a long time, but I'm sure the record is probably much longer.

Anyone know for sure?

In the northern hemisphere, summer runs from June 21-Sept 20 and that's our hot season.

In Australia though their hot season is reversed. So would an Australian actually call the period Dec 21-Mar 20 "summer" or "winter"?

In other words, if I see something from Australia - for an Australian audience - talking about summer, is it more likely to be referring to Dec 21 - Mar 20 or Jun 21 - Sept 20?