Need to format HD and reinstall WinXP

[CPA]

to backup my files, particularly my programs?

Quick background: I am having serious issues with connecting to the internet (even mail) - basically I can't connect. It's not the router or modem, all my connections are good, all the lights on the modem and jack light up properly. So, I have narrowed my problem to some corrupt dll files. Because I can't connect to the internet to download any fixes, I thought the easiest way to fix the problem is a fresh restall of WinXP Pro.

Now, I have two HDs. One, E:, carries most of my games, while C: has most of my productivity apps - like MS Office, MS Money, TaxAct, etc. How can I easily back the apps up, so I don't have to reinstall all of them after the fresh install (even if I can)? I am agraid I won't be able to re-install most as they were downloads and I don't have the registration numbers still.

edit: oh, I've already tries a repair install and I received 5 messages of dll errors. This is why I am looking at a reformat and reinstall. one of the errors was for the catsrv.dll which, according to some forums, has caused issues with internet and mail connections.

 

[forkd]

have you thought of using another hard drive to do a full re-install, apply all updates then boot to your original disk using the new drive as a source for the dlls you need.

If you can boot into safe mode you may be able to find your install info on downloaded software.

good luck

 

[CPA]

Originally posted by: forkd
have you thought of using another hard drive to do a full re-install, apply all updates then boot to your original disk using the new drive as a source for the dlls you need.

If you can boot into safe mode you may be able to find your install info on downloaded software.

good luck

Yeah, thought about that, but didn't want to spend the money. And if I do spend money, I wonder if the better option is to just buy Vista.

 

[Billb2]

Originally posted by: CPA
to backup my files, particularly my programs?

How can I easily back the apps up, so I don't have to reinstall all of them after the fresh install

That can't be done. During their installation most, if not all, complex programs copy files that they will need to the Windows folder or elsewhere on the computer and make changes to the registry to allow windows to find then on bootup or program launch. Without reinstalling the programs after the new Windows install, they can't do that. You have to reinstall them all under the new Windows installation.

And think about it. If you could do that (copy the programs and have then work), everyone and his brother would be selling copies of the installed programs from their computers. MS is smarter than that!

If you don't have the keys anymore, most software suppliers have way to verify their programs and give you new keys. If not, you're screwed.

 

[CPA]

Originally posted by: Billb2

Originally posted by: CPA
to backup my files, particularly my programs?

How can I easily back the apps up, so I don't have to reinstall all of them after the fresh install

That can't be done. During their installation most, if not all, complex programs copy files that they will need to the Windows folder or elsewhere on the computer and make changes to the registry to allow windows to find then on bootup or program launch. Without reinstalling the programs after the new Windows install, they can't do that. You have to reinstall them all under the new Windows installation.

And think about it. If you could do that (copy the programs and have then work), everyone and his brother would be selling copies of the installed programs from their computers. MS is smarter than that!

If you don't have the keys anymore, most software suppliers have way to verify their programs and give you new keys. If not, you're screwed.

I figured that was the case. I will try a safe boot first and see where that gets me.

 

[RebateMonger]

There are several pieces of commercial software that claim to migrate applications and data from XP to Vista. I haven't tried any of them.