noob help

[imported_Reck]

I'm thinking of reformating my os drive to clean install windows xp pro except I've never done it before. I already have 2 partitions right now one with my os and one for my media. It is possible to format the os drive without loosing my data on the other one right? I'm guessing I have to reinstall all my games right? You jsut can't transfer the install directories over to the other partition? Can someone please explain the steps to do this? Uh and yea I use an ide controller and all do I have to install drivers for it? Also do motherboards require drivers btw? I've put this off a long ass time lol. Thanks.

 

[ColKurtz]

Originally posted by: Reck
I already have 2 partitions right now one with my os and one for my media. It is possible to format the os drive without loosing my data on the other one right?

Correct. Your data will be on your second partition (probably D:. I'll just call it D: here). You format C: and leave D: alone.

I'm guessing I have to reinstall all my games right? You jsut can't transfer the install directories over to the other partition?

Yes. No.

Can someone please explain the steps to do this?

What, specifically? Installing XP? If nothing else, MIcrosoft makes their installs fairly clean. If you really feel you need step-by-step instructions, do a google search for "XP Install Tutorial", or similar. I'm sure you'll find lots.

Uh and yea I use an ide controller and all do I have to install drivers for it?

As long as it's not IDE RAID, Windows will not have a problem.

Also do motherboards require drivers btw?

Sort of. Some several controllers on your mobo have drivers but, again, this should not be a problem.

I've put this off a long ass time lol. Thanks.

Everything will be fine. Probably.

One piece of advice that might make your install easier is to download as many of the XP drivers for your hardware as you can. Burn them to floppy (not CD) or put them on your D: drive. Check your PC vendor's site and look up your model to see if they've published updated drivers, especially NIC drivers. If XP boots up at all and you have your NIC configured, you can pretty much download eveything else.

 

[InseName]

yes u will have to install almost everything that u installed since u can't just move the data to a new partion since u need the registry values