First off, the registry is stored in the Windows folder, hidden and system, so that if the Windows folder is deleted, the registry is gone as well. As for the Programs folder, I've never taken that out, but have had on occasion, a second copy generated (I believe that was with Win 95). I have removed the Windows and its subfolders on several occasions using the Deltree.exe command. By doing this, I have stripped out the full windows system and now have a clean folder (will generate a new upon installation) for the new install of windows. The data for the other folders is there as are the programs. Many of these will have to be reinstalled to restore the dlls and other system files that were in Windows\System. I do store a backup copy of all my dlls in another folder using a little utility that will scan the disk and put copies of all the dlls in another folder. If you are worried about the autoexec and config.sys files, these are in the C: root folder and can easily be remove while in dos mode from a boot floppy.
Keith Thompson "OrpheusComputing.com" wrote: > > If you delete the windows and programs files folders, you're > still going to have things on the HD that do not belong > there, and the registry will still be as it was. Is there a > way to delete an entire registry? (I've never tried it). IF > so, this may be an option. However, since windows has to be > installed again anyway, plus all the programs, OS and IE > updates, etc., again, reformatting first would not take any > more time...well, maybe 30 seconds longer. I Personally (and > for our customers' sake that need to upgrade a mobo) would > rather have a flawless stable system on a fresh format. But > if it works for you, good. :) I just wouldn't trust it. > -Clint > > God Bless Us All > Clint Hamilton, Owner > http://OrpheusComputing.com � > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "graham nimmo" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > "OrpheusComputing.com" wrote: > > > > I think I already said why: > > sorry must have missed that bit > > > You should always reformat when > > > > changing a motherboard, no two boards are the same. > The > > old > > > > board will leave countless 'things' in the extended > > device > > > > manager, not to mention all the orphaned drivers files. > > > > These things can severely conflict with a new board. > > > > Not to mention the "derelicts" left over in the registry. > > Not starting over is just asking for > problems......conflicts, > > yellow marks in the device manager, IRQ conflicts, errors, > > instability, etc. > > > > Important programs and files should be backed up regularly > > anyway. In the long run it's actually faster to just > > reformat, than to have to deal with and try and figure out > & > > fix, errors, instability, and all the conflicts that > > *usually* arise. > > The Windows and Program Files folders ARE the registry. Only > these 2 > folders need to be deleted. Formatting is overkill. > > In my experience reformatting is generally seen as a panacea > for corrupt > drivers, and is often performed repeatedly when things go > wrong. Sure if > you repeatedly install and uninstall programs you may screw > things up > but see above (or restore from a registry save) - there is no > NEED to > reformat. > > -- > Graham -- Keith Thompson, Worthington, OH Home Web Page: http://freepages.family.rootsweb.com/~kthompson/ Genealogy Web Page: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~kthompson Blessed are the young, let them inherit the national debt ============= PCWorks Mailing List ================= Don't see your post? Check our posting guidelines & make sure you've followed proper posting procedures, http://pcworkers.com/rules.htm Contact list owner <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Unsubscribing and other changes: http://pcworkers.com =====================================================
