Re: INSTALLATION OF SAVED PROGRAMS

Tech-Archive recommends: Speed Up your PC by fixing your registry

From: Sharon F (sharonfDEL_at_ETEmvps.org)
Date: 02/28/05 

Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2005 09:18:51 -0600

On Mon, 28 Feb 2005 02:59:02 -0800, Robert - 3052 wrote:

> Excuse my computer stupidity, but that brings me back to my original problem.
> I just don't understand the steps to take to reinstall all of the parts of a
> program that I have burned to a CD and have that reinstalled (or "saved")
> once again to the hard drive.
> And, I think I need a new keyboard .... this one misspells badly :)
>
> "Robert - 3052" wrote:
>

When you install a program, you run a setup program. That setup program
might reside on a CD or it is a downloaded file that can be saved to the
hard drive. These are what you need to "backup" programs. Not a true backup
but it's making sure that you have the means to reinstall the program if
the need should ever arise.

Most Windows programs when installed have the bulk of the application files
into a folder specifically for the program. Additions may be made to other
locations and files, such as:
-may add files to ..\Program Files\Common Files\<specific folder>
-may add files to the Windows folder or Windows subfolders
-may add entries in the registry

Trying to backup a program by just copying the program's main folder
doesn't cover all the possible parts of the program. It only addresses that
main program folder.

It's not practical to copy the main program folder and the additional bits
and pieces. So instead, you keep a copy of whatever's needed to reinstall
the program: the downloaded setup file, the program CD or whatever.

Once in a while, you'll find a program that can run just using the files in
that main program folder. These are termed as "stand alone" meaning that
the main program folder can be moved around and the program will still run.

You have attempted to backup your programs by copying the folders in
Program Files. The results is a mix:

-A handful of programs that will run fine (these are your stand alone
programs)

-More programs that will not run at the moment. You need to formally
install these program by running their individual setup programs. You would
do this using the original CD or the saved setup file that was downloaded
or download the setup file again. 

-- 
Sharon F
MS-MVP ~ Windows Shell/User

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