erasing and installing mac os

[pd9]

so i want to do an erase and install to upgrade my macbook.
a little background:
Mac OS X 10.4
Intel Core Duo

My questions are how difficult is it to erase and install? What is needed, just an upgrade CD? I plan on backing up files on an external hard drive just by dragging and dropping. I would also like to retain my copy of Office 2004. I do not have a .dmg for office... is there a way to backup office? also what are some other tips and hints involved?

I used to play around with PCs in my teenage years enough to the point where i got to know how to use them pretty well. I have had a macbook since 2007 and have not had one single issue, therefore i havent learned the ins and outs as well as i knew PCs so im kind of apprehensive when it comes to doing this upgrade so any info would be greatly appreciated. and i tried search with no results so sorry for the noob questions. TIA

 

[pd9]

.

 

[eman]

Use a Snow leopard disk to erase and install. You can also use the migration wizard to transfer your files.

 

[pd9]

is there anyway i can somehow backup office on my external hard drive without having a dmg?

 

[SHADO]

You could use CarbonCopyCloner or something of the sort to clone your HD and then restore using that and it will transfer all you settings and applications and everything of the sort.

 

[pd9]

i would rather not clone my HD because im looking forward to clearing out the clutter

 

[old-wiz]

is there anyway i can somehow backup office on my external hard drive without having a dmg?

Why not just use the Office install DVD? You do have a legal copy don't you?

 

[pd9]

no longer have it