Although it has now taken me nearly 3 days of trial and error to "uncrash" my desktop, it seems more like 3 weeks. However, it's done, it feels great (like that feeling you get after cleaning out and organizing the garage or something), and I still hate computers.
Seeing how our lives are now completely intertwined with the use of computers, I thought I might pass on a few pearls of wisdom I discovered while going through the process of "uncrashing" my computer.
1- First and foremost on any list of this nature should be the "BACKUP" mantra. Just keep repeating it until it's etched into the meaty bits of your mind. Don't forget to actually do it!
2- Have a box, file, bag or whatever, with all the operating system and hardware driver disks that came with your computer and with anything else you have connected to your computer (printer, scanner, coffee maker, etc...). This way, when the inevitable does happen, you don't have to spend half a day searching for everything.
3- If you have a complicated system of RAID connected hard drives and other storage hard drives all in the one computer, disconnect all but the drive (presumably the RAID drives) that the operating system is going to be installed on. By doing this, you avoid the problem of having to start all over again once you realise the operating system assigned random drive letters to the drives and your system drive is now called G: drive instead of the normal C: drive. You can reconnect the other drives and give them whatever drive letters you want once the operating system is installed.
4- As you go through the process of recovering from a crash, document all the steps you take. You will then have a fool proof list of what the exact steps are, what disks and programs you're going to need, and what you need to enter at prompts the next time it happens. Believe me, it will happen again!
5- In programs such as Outlook Express, Internet Explorer, and any other program where you have customized settings, and the program allows exporting these settings, DO IT! Export all settings, email account information, bookmarks, security settings, address books, and whatever else you can export onto a separate drive or CD. Why you ask? This way, when you install the software again, you just import your old settings and you're done, you won't have to try and find all the user names, passwords, and other crap to set everything up again.
6- See number 1.
7- Get your hands on some strong coffee or your stimulant of choice, you're gonna need it.
Good luck...
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Thanks for taking the time.