Question before reformatting

[bladefd]

Hi, I was wondering what I should use to backup files before reformatting. I just want to backup the programs folder and registry(I already backed-up the registry through regedit then importing). Now for the programs, what should I do? I don't want the programs inside the programs folder to get corrupted and then not work at all. The reason is that I don't feel like reinstalling all the programs after reformatting. I rarely reformat(prolly my 3rd time reformatting) so I don't have to usually worry about losing everything. If someone can let me know what can be used, it would be helpful. Thanks.

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

What is your setup? Are you backing up to CD / DVD, or another hard drive? First, to backup the registry, you are going to have to 'export' it from regedit. For the programs, you are not gong to be able to back them up, unless you want to make a copy of your entire hard drive using a program like Norton Ghost. When a program is installed, files not only go to the program folder, but also DLLs are copied into the windows system folder, and you have to have all of these files in the right place for the proram to load. The best thing to do is keep the installation files and / or installation CDs, and then when you reformat, reinstall all the programs. It sounds like you are going to need something like Norton Ghost, which can backup your hard drive to another hd, or to CD / DVD. I have to ask though, exactly why are you reformatting?
Tas.

 

[bladefd]

Originally posted by: tasburrfoot78362
What is your setup? Are you backing up to CD / DVD, or another hard drive? First, to backup the registry, you are going to have to 'export' it from regedit. For the programs, you are not gong to be able to back them up, unless you want to make a copy of your entire hard drive using a program like Norton Ghost. When a program is installed, files not only go to the program folder, but also DLLs are copied into the windows system folder, and you have to have all of these files in the right place for the proram to load. The best thing to do is keep the installation files and / or installation CDs, and then when you reformat, reinstall all the programs. It sounds like you are going to need something like Norton Ghost, which can backup your hard drive to another hd, or to CD / DVD. I have to ask though, exactly why are you reformatting?
Tas.

I am reformatting because I keep getting an explorer.exe error. I posted it in a thread already before but it seems like the thread was either deleted or move. I think it's just easier to reformat everything. Also, I got 2 hard-drives. 1 hard-drive is 40 gigs has windows folder and all the programs. The second hard-drive is 120 gigs and has games and stuff in it(it is only 55 gigs full)

Edit: So the programs cannot be backed-up? I guess I will reinstall them. What about the games on the different hard-drive? Will they still work? I really don't want to reinstall Counter-strike Source and BF2 and the rest.

 

[stevty2889]

If you format and re-install the OS, you will have to re-install all the programs, even if they are on a differant drive. Have you tried doing a repair install? A repair install will re-install all the windows system files but all your programs and settings will still be there and still run..