Re-installation advice, please

Question

Hi all.
After installing CS4, shortly after its introduction, everything went well, sort of. The GPU feature wouldn't work with my older graphics card, I think. At least it wasn't one of the tested/supported cards.
Then, my D drive (storage and scratch), started not being seen, intermittently. After alternating the cables and moving the drive, to test it, with help, we determined the mobo might be the culprit. AARRGGHH!!
Anyway, I decided to do an overhaul, and upgrade my pc.
With the first re-install of Windows, using a quick format, Windows fought us, and Photoshop took 4, count'em FOUR tries to install.
After a week processing pictures, and fighting the occasional crash, which had never happened to me before(!!!!!!), and the issues mentioned by others regarding GPU, etc., I decided to do it all again.
Did a full format of C, re-installed Windows, smooth as a baby's.....well, you know.
All running smoothly, so far.... fingers crossed, toes crossed, etc, etc.:)
Before the re-build, I cloned the C drive, as everyone says to do, after de-activating both CS3 & CS4. (BTW, I only installed CS4 on the 'new machine'. Before the 2nd go round and full format, I cloned the C again, to a different folder, both times on the D drive.
Now I'm ready to re-install PS. My questions:
Should I do anything with the cloned folder(s) on the D drive beforehand?
Should I do only CS3 and wait for anticipated patches for CS4? (CS3 always ran smoothly, never crashed, etc.)Or go ahead and install both?
Are there any elements of CS4 I should NOT choose to install?
If a clean install of CS4 occurs, with no hiccups, that is, am I likely to have fewer issues than the first time?
Are there any other issues I should be aware of, or things I should do?
As you probably can tell, I'm soooo not a computer person.
BTW, my new system has EVGA 750i SLI mobo, 9800 GTX+ graphics card, Intel core2 quad Q6600 processor, 4 GB OCZ Reaper 1066 memory, 600 w power supply, WinXP pro, 32 bit.
I appreciate all the help you guys and gals can offer!!
Barry

Answer 1

I would forget the clones unless you need data on them. don't try to copy applications from them! you have a smooth running machine. don't mess with that.
I would run windows update a few times until you have nothing left to update. including optionals, if you have any.
if you want to install cs3 and cs4, install cs3 first. get everything running. apply all updates. run the adobe updater a couple of times to make sure they all install correctly and nothing is left.
once that all works move on to 4. i wouldn't leave anything off the installation. let it do it's thing.
>1066 memory
might consider bumping that to at least 2 gig...