Re: [OT?] Things to back up when reinstalling XP Pro

Tech-Archive recommends: Repair Windows Errors & Optimize Windows Performance

From: Vagabond Software (carlfenley-X-_at_-X-san.rr.com)
Date: 01/06/05 

Date: Wed, 5 Jan 2005 17:32:50 -0800

"Holy Moly" <IThink@not.com> wrote in message news:3k4pt0hjuffh8s6hifb9c9jm0vp9e64ig3@4ax.com...
> Looks as though my POS IBM HD is about to go any day now. So, I'm
> planning on reinstalling XP Pro on a new HD and was wondering what
> files/directories I should back up, so that I'll have most if not all
> of the settings back both for Windows and for my programs.
>
> I know it's a rather broad and general question, but I'd appreciate it
> if you guys could suggest things I should pay particular attention to.
>
> Perhaps things which had you regret not having backed up something
> when you performed a clean reinstall of Windows? Also, for Windows
> settings, I'd appreciate it if you could indicate the location of the
> files. It took me a long time before I found the blasted OE
> addressbook.
>
> Some of the things I've jotted down already:
> OE addressbook
> IE bookmark
> Firefox bookmark
> Documents and Settings
>
> Thanks for your time and courtesy.

If you backup the entire Documents and Settings folder, along with all sub-folders, you should get all of the items mentioned above that in your list. Another option, since you have a new hard drive, is to simply install XP on the new drive, then add the old drive after you have everything installed as working.

The old drive will show up as drive E: (or something like that) and you will be able to quickly copy all relevant files from your old drive. You'll also be able to search all your old data at any time (until the drive finally dies), and you may be able to actually attempt to "save" the old drive with various tools.

It's worth a shot.

carl

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