Herman,
I purchased an external HD...if I install the OS ( Vista ) on the external HD,
will the computer boot from there ?
Anthony
----- Original Message -----
From: Herman
To: Keith McCombs
Sent: Wednesday, September 08, 2010 3:19 AM
Subject: Re: [amibroker] OT: installing OS again
A fresh install of the OS most of the time leads to new install of most
programs you use. If you have many you always miss some and always have to
serach for install disks, passwords, etc.
My way around this is to add another harddisk and leave the old one intact
and functional. Then install on the new Hard disk. You will still have to
install all the programs but at least you can still access everything you
missed copying. Having two hard disks you can do a new OS install periodically
without having to worry about losing anything.
I do the same when upgrading OS and now have three HDs, XP, Vista and W7.
herman
Before you attempt to do anything else, make a complete image of your
hard drive. Make sure that your disk imaging software will allow you to
recover individual folders and files as well as the entire image.
Then see if you can run your OS installation software in 'Repair' mode.
If you can, you may end up fixing what ever your problem is, without needing
to reinstall any software.
If that doesn't work, maybe you might have to reinstall the OS. Are
you absolutely sure that the only solution to your problem is a complete
re-install? Positive? Absolutely Positive? If so:
Just because you have copies of all your installed programs does NOT
mean that you can merely copy them onto the newly installed OS.
You will have to re-install almost all of your programs. For this you
need the Original installation programs, including protection keys, either on
disks or saved elsewhere.
Good luck,
-- Keith
BTW, I have been using PC's since the very first IBM ones. Probably
owned a couple of dozen since then. The only time I have had to reinstall an
OS was when I lost my first HD more than 25 years ago. Since then, I make
drive images and/or use other work arounds.
On 9/7/2010 02:36, reinsley wrote:
Hi,
IMO, before to format, save your My documents files ( it's another name
under Vista, the file containing all your personnal documents), save your
bookmarks ( IE or Firefox), save your Outlook settings (address book contacts,
settings accounts) Emails as well if needed, but they are on ISP's server.
Save the other application files such as AB, into c:\Program Files.
Your formulas, your databases, etc. are there.
Then format the disk, and start from scratch, install vista. Don't
forget the drivers.
Install all your applications. Printer and gadgets...
Restore your My documents, and AB formulas, AB databases.
You can do a todolist of the actions before to start. You update this
document as and when you did it.
Next install you update your technical notes, the order to proceed, the
things forgotten. It's a good way to never miss a step.
When everything is running fine for a while, you know what is worth to
backup from time to time. :)
Best regards
Le 07/09/2010 00:44, Anthony Faragasso a écrit :
I need to re-install windows Vista to correct several issues I am
having...
I purchased an external Hard drive...How do I move all programs and
files to the external hard drive and then move
them back to the computers internal hard drive after re-installing the
operating system ?
I do not think just backing up the internal hard drive will preserve
all programs...some programs I do not
have disks for...
Help...
thank you
Anthony
