Odd but common issue with a install of xp

[Maddscientist]

Ok so here is the story Main drive dies backup drive has all my game directories in in I install windows on my backup drive. Now none of the games work "fatal error invallid memory refrenced" Why and how do i fix it without reinstalling over 100gigs of games and programs?

 

[Smilin]

The backup of folder in program files isn't much use without a backed up system stat that includes all the registry entries for those programs. If you don't have a system state backup then you're prolly gonna be reinstalling most stuff. Good news is your settings for those are likely saved in the program files folders you've already restored.

 

[bdoople]

You have to reinstall the games. They are no longer registered and Windows doesn't know what to do with the files. That's why a safe backup is usually an image if you plan on cloning a drive and picking up from there.

 

[spherrod]

yep, you'll need to reinstall them