Last Wednesday I decided to re-install Windows XP, and I just got my Wireless network card to work again. I still have a ton of drivers to install, and things to fix. My dad literally had to open up my desktop computer and play around with all of the stuff in there to get everything working.
I actually cheated, I had my dad put in a different hard drive when I was re-installing so that I wouldn't lose all of my files. Now I have 2 drives, and I have a problem. The new Master Drive (The one windows boots off of, also the default drive for "my documents" and stuff like that) doesn't have any of my settings or programs on it, but whenever a program needs a file it looks on the master. I've had to re-install a bunch of programs, like iTunes (it needed quicktime to run), just to get them to work. I got to Firefox and all of my extensions and bookmarks are missing. Does anybody know of a way to "combine" the two drives so that Windows sees it as one big drive with all of my files?
I'm not the biggest windows fan in the world, but I don't hate it, I just think it runs a bit slow sometimes. I don't usually want to smash my computer, but I almost did because I was so fed up with re-installing windows. I know i'm going to have to do that again in another 6 month or so, but I really don't want to. I've never wanted more to switch to Linux (unfortunately I tried a lot of LiveCD versions and it doesn't see my WiFi network at all). Does anybody have shortcuts for re-installing windows, or is it always really anoying and hard?
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Pete Nattress Cheesy Bits img src/uploads/sccheesegif
Registered 23/09/2002
Points 4811
5th March, 2006 at 21:26:00 -
You can copy your "Documents and Settings" folder over to the main drive. Other than that I'm not sure of any "shortcuts"; you've essentially done a complete format and reinstall of Windows. I'm not sure why installing it on the 2nd HDD was necessary as Windows installation doesn't format the disk unless it needs to or you tell it to.
Yup, it's always annoying and hard. Theres a nice way to speed it all up though. dump the instal CD to your HDD after the format, that will speed up installation a little. I've never tried it myself but theres a migration tool for copying your docs over in a clean manor located in the Start Menu. IIRC.
Best thing to do is partition the HDD, dedicate a small section to Windows and use another partition for applications and documents. Making re-installations and formatting a lot easier.
I strongly recommend a good network installation. Makes backing up a lot easier. I send over important files to the main computer downstairs every few days since my fair share of HDD problems.
Personally I try and keep all my files in my Document folder on XP systems. From save files, .cca files, just everything that I'm working with. sounds simple but the amount of PC's I've fixed over the years where the guy says "The photos are in my docs, the music is in Program Files..." is just ridiculous.
I hope Longhorn/Vista adds the same functionality that OSX (and I think Linux too) has with applications. that to instal all you do is drag over a single .app with all the necessary files contained there. To un-instal you just delete the app and all references to it go. Very efficient and brilliant for formatting (just copy over the app folder to another HDD and copy back to a fresh format and everything works 100%). That will speed up formats a lot. no reinstallation. no DLL or registry nonsense. quick format. copy back. bam.
Yeah, I've got a 13 gig hole in my HD that's just backups and the like, I called it NERV HQ for some reason. Those backups have saved my ass more than once.
Craps, I'm an old man!
Deleted User
6th March, 2006 at 12:53:22 -
I did't back up so well I lost all my files on my laptop like I lost, macrmedia flash 8, dreamweaver8,
fireworks 8, photoshop, TGF, I cry
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