Those things may be fixable without a format, do you have the same problems if you log on as a different user?? I just usually try and format as a last resort although it can be lots more time consuming to trouble shoot the problem. On the other hand trying to fix stuff is how I learned everything (not that its alot ) and I dont mind doing it ,actually I enjoy it although I do get pissed sometimes...LOL..... I keep a good copy of everything on CD, unless I made a copy of a corrupt file or pgm I can load it back to my drive after a format and Im back in business. either way good luck.....
Microwave