So what do I lose when i do a factory reset? Any way to preserve my angry birds progress? Stuff like that?
What are the steps so that I can restore my photos, etc?
Since you want to try other things before you resort to a reset try the following:
Go into Settings -> App manager. Swipe over to
Running. Select any app you don't need running in the background and select to
stop it. Swipe over to
All. Click on apps you don't use, either set them to
disabled (for the ones you may want to use at some point), or select
Uninstall for any apps you don't use nor plan to ever use.
If you've rooted your phone, or switched launcher(s) uroot and change back to the default HTC Blinkfeed launcher. Many carrier's have free antivirus/antimalware apps (Verizon has VZ Protect/Verizon Support and Protection). Contrary to what some people would tell you viruses do exist for the Android OS, and you should scan your phone with a trusted scanner (from your carrier preferably).
Go to Settings -> Software Update -> Check New and see if there are any new updates available (many of the recent updates have included security and stability patches).
If you have Fastboot set temporarily disable it. Shut off your phone.
Clear your phone's cache partition using the steps below (you shouldn't loose any personal files like your pictures, etc).
Press and hold the Volume Down key.
Press and release the Power key to turn the phone on.
Continue holding the Volume Down.
Release the Volume Down key when the three Android images appear on the bottom of the screen.
Press the Volume Down key once to move the cursor from FASTBOOT to RECOVERY.
Press the Power key to begin the wipe.
The device displays the bootup screen followed by a phone with a red triangle.
Press the Up Volume key and Power key at the same time.
Press the Down Volume key three times to select Wipe cache partition.
Press the Power key to initiate the wipe.
Wait until the phone displays Cache wipe complete.
Press the Power key to select Reboot system now.