Noob question here. Another question added 2nd HD

[RJShultzie]

I am going to reformat my hard drive to do a clean install and want to know what I should back up and how to do it. I would like to save my favorites in IE and my email (I have saved photo's, docs' etc) just not sure how to do the above.

I would like to do a second hard drive, is it as easy as 1 master, 1 slave, format both, install OS on one and photo's music on another?
What HD do I choose for the OS, I have a Maxtor 160 that I would use as the storage HD.
Thanks, you all are a great help.
Speacial thanks to Mech you seem to answer all my questions fast and I have had more and more questions.

 

[HardcoreRobot]

your OS determines where your favorites folder is. in xp and 2K its on your c drive under your loging name in the "documents and settings" folder. you can just copy that folder and put it back in the same place on a new install. backing up email all depends on your client. i would read the specific programs help file on backing up emails. you can also google for more info. i have never had any luck backing up my emails in outlook or outlook express. i think this is due to some back luck and ID10T errors on my part.

 

[joecool]

don't know about outlook express but outlook stores everything in a file called *.pst. find that and back it up, then restore it to the same dir once your done with your upgrade - voila, email (and everything else) will be restored!

btw, for future reference, i HIGHLY recommend partitioning your drive (or buying a second drive), and put data on a seperate partition/drive from your os. this will make it easy to find your data and if you do need to wipe your os drive you don't have to worry about data - it's all on the other drive anyway. i've been doing this for years and it sure makes life easy ... !

 

[mechBgon]

In Outlook Express, I had a

 :light:
:Q

and simply made a new Windows folder, then opened Outlook Express in a reduced-sized window, selected a whole stack of emails, and dragged/dropped them into the new Windows folder. After reinstalling Windows, I simply dragged and dropped them back from the folder into my Inbox. How's that for simple

 

[FreshFish]

An easy way to save your IE favorites is go to File> Import and Export... , click next, then choose Export Favorites. Then import them in the same way after reformatting.

 

[GonzoDaGr8]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
In Outlook Express, I had a

 :light:
:Q

and simply made a new Windows folder, then opened Outlook Express in a reduced-sized window, selected a whole stack of emails, and dragged/dropped them into the new Windows folder. After reinstalling Windows, I simply dragged and dropped them back from the folder into my Inbox. How's that for simple

Ding, Ding, Ding.... Mech is the answer winner of the thread. This is the method I have been using for years.

 

[GonzoDaGr8]

By the way, RJShultzie, Partition that 160gb drive you got into 2 partitions. One 40-ish gigger and one 120-ish (under 128 for sure) and see if that helps your IDE problems. Unless that is, You got your BIOS fixed up.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: GonzoDaGr8

Originally posted by: mechBgon
In Outlook Express, I had a

 :light:
:Q

and simply made a new Windows folder, then opened Outlook Express in a reduced-sized window, selected a whole stack of emails, and dragged/dropped them into the new Windows folder. After reinstalling Windows, I simply dragged and dropped them back from the folder into my Inbox. How's that for simple

Ding, Ding, Ding.... Mech is the answer winner of the thread. This is the method I have been using for years.

Awesome! I want my cookie!

 

[newParadigm]

That;s good to know, i always did the .pst file thing.

 

[GonzoDaGr8]

Originally posted by: mechBgon

Originally posted by: GonzoDaGr8

Originally posted by: mechBgon
In Outlook Express, I had a

 :light:
:Q

and simply made a new Windows folder, then opened Outlook Express in a reduced-sized window, selected a whole stack of emails, and dragged/dropped them into the new Windows folder. After reinstalling Windows, I simply dragged and dropped them back from the folder into my Inbox. How's that for simple

Ding, Ding, Ding.... Mech is the answer winner of the thread. This is the method I have been using for years.

Awesome! I want my cookie!

I'm rolling it up I-5 now...hope it makes it.

 

[GonzoDaGr8]

Originally posted by: FreshFish
An easy way to save your IE favorites is go to File> Import and Export... , click next, then choose Export Favorites. Then import them in the same way after reformatting.

I usually make a copy of the favorites folder (found in C:\documents and settings\userx(you)\favorites ) on a cd, zip, flash card, whatever and then replace it in the new machine afterwards.

 

[RJShultzie]

Gonzo,

Yes I finally got the BIOS fixed I am not sure what changed but when I downloaded the BIOS for the umpteenth time the file was a .bin file instead of a .awd file and when I did the aflash it worked. I did the same procedure I had been doing only the file was different.

Thanks for the tip.

Still haven't got the VIA master bus thing fixed yet though.


First post edited with second question.

 

[GonzoDaGr8]

Install the OS on the drive you want it to be on, then add the second drive (maxtor) later as a slave.