I just went and got a new computer and went through the drudgery. It took me more like about 3 or 4 days to set it all back up. But looking back from the other side. It is a far cry better. It's just something we have to do I would say about every 4 years max. Other wise you got a machine that just can't cut the mustard.
Speaking of which, I have met people who sit around writing viruses all day. On the internet. See I program in MASM. So what I'm saying is your old machine just wont survive the attacks forever. Your using a desk top console? Yeah, back everything up which you should do anyway, then get the new hard disk and I would seriously consider putting some new hardware behind it. New mother board and more RAM. The more RAM you got the less your hard disk has to work doing virtual memory stuff.
Don't bother with any short cut programs. You'll just export the viruses too.