HELP! Windows XP Pro - Re-Detect Hardware Question???

[SuperG03]

I have a question. I am using Windows XP Pro. I frequently have to format my hard drive, and change out hardware. It is a real pain having to constantly reinstall windows. I have decided, that my best bet is to use norton ghost to create an image. My question is, is there a way to have windows xp redetect all hardware, etc. on my computer. What I mean to say is, what I want to do is to install windows XP, download all the updates for it (takes sooo long). Install my other software I use, and then set it up so that on the next reboot, windows xp needs to detect all the hardware again. At that point I will shut my computer down and create an image of it using norton ghost. That way, when I apply the image to my computer with new hardware in it, when it boots up for the first time, it will detect all the new hardware I may have. I have heard this is definately possible, I just don't know how to do it. Also, after I install XP, download all updates, and install all my other software, it takes up about 4 GB. I figure I can just back up the image onto one DVDR, is that possible. Does norton ghost support DVDR/W drives, and burn to it? If so I think that is my best bet. Any other suggestions are welcome. Thanks for your help.

SuperG03

 

[Zugzwang152]

Originally posted by: SuperG03
I have a question. I am using Windows XP Pro. I frequently have to format my hard drive, and change out hardware. It is a real pain having to constantly reinstall windows. I have decided, that my best bet is to use norton ghost to create an image. My question is, is there a way to have windows xp redetect all hardware, etc. on my computer. What I mean to say is, what I want to do is to install windows XP, download all the updates for it (takes sooo long). Install my other software I use, and then set it up so that on the next reboot, windows xp needs to detect all the hardware again. At that point I will shut my computer down and create an image of it using norton ghost. That way, when I apply the image to my computer with new hardware in it, when it boots up for the first time, it will detect all the new hardware I may have. I have heard this is definately possible, I just don't know how to do it. Also, after I install XP, download all updates, and install all my other software, it takes up about 4 GB. I figure I can just back up the image onto one DVDR, is that possible. Does norton ghost support DVDR/W drives, and burn to it? If so I think that is my best bet. Any other suggestions are welcome. Thanks for your help.

SuperG03

windows xp will automatically detect any new hardware, you do not have to "set" anything. the only time this will not work is when you change chipsets. If you change the chipset to something completely different, you will get a BSOD and windows will not boot.

 

[purplehippo]

All you need to do is uninstall all your hardware ie whichever hardware you are changeing. If you change too much hardware Microsoft will force you to activate again but not a big deal. You don;t have to format to add new hardware.