3 partitions, 1 w/XPPro: Help me save the other two partitions!

[Anthony Laudani]

Greets:

I've just spent about 4 hours pouring over every conceivable Google
search on the subject to no avail and am hoping someone has a direct
answer for me.

To make a long story short, I have three partitions on my drive:

1st: OS Only (WinXP Pro) - 10gig
---------------
2nd: Programs Only (All programs/games installed to D:/Program Files
except for those that the OS requires to be installed to C... you get
the idea) - 60gig
---------------
3rd: Data Only (This is where my 'My Documents' folder is located and
XP knows it) - 50gig

All partitions are NTFS, the system is completely bootable.

Here's what I want to do.

Due to some major screwups and some frequent problems I'm experiencing
with Office 2003, I want to simply re-install the OS: Windows XP Pro.
Ideally, I would simply like to reinstall the OS on the C partition (I
don't care that I will lose all registry settings and am fully
prepared to reinstall the programs I currently have installed on the
D: drive.), but NOT lose one single bit of data on the D & E
partitions.

What is the absolutely SAFEST way of doing this? I'm simply trying to
avoid having to backup all my data from the E partition and would hate
to have to go through ALL the folders on the D partition to backup all
the "little items" that might fall through the cracks (custom
Photoshop brushes, various game saves,.... you get the idea).

Having never done this, I'm hoping (assuming?) that I could simply
reboot to DOS (??? using the XP recovery console???) and somehow
reinstall JUST the OS without re-formatting the C partition. But I'm
deathly afraid of destroying the data on the D and E partitions since
I've heard that there is critical data somewhere on the boot partition
(in this case, "C") that, if wiped through a re-format, would render
the D and E partitions unusable.

Again... any simple, straightforward advice on this thing? Anyone?

I originally set up my partitions in the above fashion for just such
an occasion: to effect an easy "re-load" of the OS without having to
backup all my "data" (documents, pics, etc.).

One last caveat: my CD-ROM refuses to let me boot from it (even
though my BIOS lets me set my system up to boot off of it... go
figure.). So any solution that would require booting from the XP
Pro CD would have to take that into account.

Thanks for reading this laborious explanation, but I thought I'd save
time in having to fill in all the gaps if any replies come in.

 

[davetest]

Greets:

I've just spent about 4 hours pouring over every conceivable Google
search on the subject to no avail and am hoping someone has a direct
answer for me.

To make a long story short, I have three partitions on my drive:

1st: OS Only (WinXP Pro) - 10gig
---------------
2nd: Programs Only (All programs/games installed to D:/Program Files
except for those that the OS requires to be installed to C... you get
the idea) - 60gig
---------------
3rd: Data Only (This is where my 'My Documents' folder is located and
XP knows it) - 50gig

All partitions are NTFS, the system is completely bootable.

Here's what I want to do.

Due to some major screwups and some frequent problems I'm experiencing
with Office 2003, I want to simply re-install the OS: Windows XP Pro.
Ideally, I would simply like to reinstall the OS on the C partition (I
don't care that I will lose all registry settings and am fully
prepared to reinstall the programs I currently have installed on the
D: drive.), but NOT lose one single bit of data on the D & E
partitions.

What is the absolutely SAFEST way of doing this? I'm simply trying to
avoid having to backup all my data from the E partition and would hate
to have to go through ALL the folders on the D partition to backup all
the "little items" that might fall through the cracks (custom
Photoshop brushes, various game saves,.... you get the idea).

Having never done this, I'm hoping (assuming?) that I could simply
reboot to DOS (??? using the XP recovery console???) and somehow
reinstall JUST the OS without re-formatting the C partition. But I'm
deathly afraid of destroying the data on the D and E partitions since
I've heard that there is critical data somewhere on the boot partition
(in this case, "C") that, if wiped through a re-format, would render
the D and E partitions unusable.

Again... any simple, straightforward advice on this thing? Anyone?

I originally set up my partitions in the above fashion for just such
an occasion: to effect an easy "re-load" of the OS without having to
backup all my "data" (documents, pics, etc.).

One last caveat: my CD-ROM refuses to let me boot from it (even
though my BIOS lets me set my system up to boot off of it... go
figure.). So any solution that would require booting from the XP
Pro CD would have to take that into account.

Thanks for reading this laborious explanation, but I thought I'd save
time in having to fill in all the gaps if any replies come in.

Download the XP floppy bootset from www.microsoft.com/downloads
Here's the link for PRO:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...e9-28fa-40e8-8ec2-631504ef5e26&displaylang=en
and here's the link for HOME:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...68-6e4f-471c-b455-bd5afee126d8&displaylang=en

Why don't you try the repair install first? Might save you some time.
Either way, I don't think your other partitions will be damaged.
Dave

 

[Anthony Laudani]

On Wed, 05 Nov 2003 06:47:06 GMT, davetest

plies come in.

Download the XP floppy bootset from www.microsoft.com/downloads
Here's the link for PRO:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...e9-28fa-40e8-8ec2-631504ef5e26&displaylang=en
and here's the link for HOME:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...68-6e4f-471c-b455-bd5afee126d8&displaylang=en

Why don't you try the repair install first? Might save you some time.
Either way, I don't think your other partitions will be damaged.
Dave

Dave:

Thanks for the reply.

What exactly is a "repair install" and how can I access that option?
Will the XP floppy bootset recognize my previous installation of XP
Pro and prompt me for a possible "repair install"?

What will this type of installation do? I really want to have a clean
registry, so I'm hoping that this method might be the trick. Any
idea?

Thanks again.

BTW... is there any other way to get to the "repair install" option
besides the floppy bootset? Perhaps pressing F8 during boot and then
getting into the console? Thanks for any info.

 

[Guest]

-----Original Message-----
On Wed, 05 Nov 2003 06:47:06 GMT, davetest
you can start the install from within windows,just put the

disk in and start itn and you can choose the option you
want.

 

[Michael Stevens]

On Wed, 05 Nov 2003 06:47:06 GMT, davetest

plies come in.

Dave:

Thanks for the reply.

What exactly is a "repair install" and how can I access that option?
Will the XP floppy bootset recognize my previous installation of XP
Pro and prompt me for a possible "repair install"?

What will this type of installation do? I really want to have a clean
registry, so I'm hoping that this method might be the trick. Any
idea?

Thanks again.

BTW... is there any other way to get to the "repair install" option
besides the floppy bootset? Perhaps pressing F8 during boot and then
getting into the console? Thanks for any info.

Click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into the address box
if using the web based newsgroup.
Repair Install
http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
--

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

 

[Michael Stevens]

Greets:

I've just spent about 4 hours pouring over every conceivable Google
search on the subject to no avail and am hoping someone has a direct
answer for me.

To make a long story short, I have three partitions on my drive:

1st: OS Only (WinXP Pro) - 10gig
---------------
2nd: Programs Only (All programs/games installed to D:/Program Files
except for those that the OS requires to be installed to C... you get
the idea) - 60gig
---------------
3rd: Data Only (This is where my 'My Documents' folder is located and
XP knows it) - 50gig

All partitions are NTFS, the system is completely bootable.

Here's what I want to do.

Due to some major screwups and some frequent problems I'm experiencing
with Office 2003, I want to simply re-install the OS: Windows XP Pro.
Ideally, I would simply like to reinstall the OS on the C partition (I
don't care that I will lose all registry settings and am fully
prepared to reinstall the programs I currently have installed on the
D: drive.), but NOT lose one single bit of data on the D & E
partitions.

What is the absolutely SAFEST way of doing this? I'm simply trying to
avoid having to backup all my data from the E partition and would hate
to have to go through ALL the folders on the D partition to backup all
the "little items" that might fall through the cracks (custom
Photoshop brushes, various game saves,.... you get the idea).

Having never done this, I'm hoping (assuming?) that I could simply
reboot to DOS (??? using the XP recovery console???) and somehow
reinstall JUST the OS without re-formatting the C partition. But I'm
deathly afraid of destroying the data on the D and E partitions since
I've heard that there is critical data somewhere on the boot partition
(in this case, "C") that, if wiped through a re-format, would render
the D and E partitions unusable.

Again... any simple, straightforward advice on this thing? Anyone?

I originally set up my partitions in the above fashion for just such
an occasion: to effect an easy "re-load" of the OS without having to
backup all my "data" (documents, pics, etc.).

One last caveat: my CD-ROM refuses to let me boot from it (even
though my BIOS lets me set my system up to boot off of it... go
figure.). So any solution that would require booting from the XP
Pro CD would have to take that into account.

Thanks for reading this laborious explanation, but I thought I'd save
time in having to fill in all the gaps if any replies come in.

A repair install should leave applications, settings, data, etc. intact
except for the critical updates, hot fixes, etc. There is no safe way to
repair install and guarantee there will be no loss of data. Only a backup to
secure media is safe.
To boot from CD, you need to set the BIOS boot order to boot from CD before
hard drive. Make sure you do not have a floppy in the floppy drive, and
during the initial boot up, look for the text message to press a key to boot
from CD.
The link below covers most of the scenarios related to a repair install,
please post back if you need further help, or if the supplied help worked.
Click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into the address box
if using the web based newsgroup.
Repair Install
http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
--

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

 

[Anthony Laudani]

A repair install should leave applications, settings, data, etc. intact
except for the critical updates, hot fixes, etc. There is no safe way to
repair install and guarantee there will be no loss of data. Only a backup to
secure media is safe.

Thanks for this info. When you say "should leave applications,
settings, data, etc. intact", do you mean that my other two partitions
(D & E) where all my apps and data are will not be touched (i.e.,
formatted)?

Assuming that is so, what exactly does a "repair install" do? Is it
the equivalent of installing XP fresh onto that partition? Or does it
leave lots of registry remnants from the previous installation?

The link below covers most of the scenarios related to a repair install,
http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

Thanks for that link. However, the scenario discussed at Michael
Stevens' page assumes that one is trying to salvage what's left of the
current registry so that 3rd party application settings, et. al.
remain intact. This is not the case for me.

Mr. Stevens stresses that we should *not* use the Windows Recovery
Console to repair a Windows installation. Any idea why? I'm hoping
that doing so would allow me to do a totally *fresh*, registry-wiping
installation of XP anew. Is this true?

All I really want to do is wipe all the data off of my C partition
(including the WindowsXP OS) and reinstall XP from scratch. Is there
any procedure or method to do just that without touching/reformatting
partitions D & E?

Thanks again for all your help.

 

[Michael Stevens]

Thanks for this info. When you say "should leave applications,
settings, data, etc. intact", do you mean that my other two partitions
(D & E) where all my apps and data are will not be touched (i.e.,
formatted)?

Assuming that is so, what exactly does a "repair install" do? Is it
the equivalent of installing XP fresh onto that partition? Or does it
leave lots of registry remnants from the previous installation?


Thanks for that link. However, the scenario discussed at Michael
Stevens' page assumes that one is trying to salvage what's left of the
current registry so that 3rd party application settings, et. al.
remain intact. This is not the case for me.

Mr. Stevens stresses that we should *not* use the Windows Recovery
Console to repair a Windows installation. Any idea why? I'm hoping
that doing so would allow me to do a totally *fresh*, registry-wiping
installation of XP anew. Is this true?

Recovery console is for command line diagnostic work it is not a way to
setup XP.

All I really want to do is wipe all the data off of my C partition
(including the WindowsXP OS) and reinstall XP from scratch. Is there
any procedure or method to do just that without touching/reformatting
partitions D & E?

Yes a clean install, but you will have to be sure you have all your
important data backed up, and it will only affect the partition your XP is
installed to. You will have to reinstall allyour applications though.
You boot from the CD and do a clean install.
Click on or copy and paste the link below into your web browser address bar.
How to clean install XP.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
--

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

 

[Anthony Laudani]

Yes a clean install, but you will have to be sure you have all your
important data backed up, and it will only affect the partition your XP is
installed to. You will have to reinstall allyour applications though.
You boot from the CD and do a clean install.
Click on or copy and paste the link below into your web browser address bar.
How to clean install XP.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

Michael:

Thanks so much for all your help. I now feel certain enough about all
the ramifications of a fresh install to begin.

Let me ask you (or anyone) a last question. On the page you mentioned
above ( http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html ), there is
a Step "10b" with an associated picture at
http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPpro3setup.jpg .

At that point during the clean install procedure, will I be able to
select my "C" partition that currently has XP installed on it? And,
if so, when proceeding to Step 11, will I be forced to re-format that
SINGLE partition? And, *most importantly*, will that reformatting
process (if it's required) alter in ANY way the data on my other
partitions (D&E)? Again, as a reminder, I'm not concerned with having
to reinstall any apps; I just want to keep the physical data on those
latter partitions.

I just want to be absolutely sure since I want to feel as cozy as
possible by avoiding a potential reformat of my data-filled D & E
partitions.

I'm almost ready to take the plunge. Thanks again... your site is
wonderful and I'm enjoying browsing through all the other sections.

- Anthony

 

[Alex Nichol]

Due to some major screwups and some frequent problems I'm experiencing
with Office 2003, I want to simply re-install the OS: Windows XP Pro.
Ideally, I would simply like to reinstall the OS on the C partition (I
don't care that I will lose all registry settings and am fully
prepared to reinstall the programs I currently have installed on the
D: drive.), but NOT lose one single bit of data on the D & E
partitions.

What is the absolutely SAFEST way of doing this?

First I would try a repair reinstall. Set the BIOS to boot CD before
Hard disk, then boot the XP CD, start Setup (do not take 'Repair' at
this stage), then after the license agreement take 'Repair
Installation'. This will retain your existing software installations
and most settings. But Updates will have to be run again, especially
SP1;
It is important to activate the basic XP Firewall before you ever
connect to the net to get the patches, so as to be protected against
things like the BLAST worm.

If that does not do it follow the same course, but take New Install, In
that, when asked where Windows is, hit ESC. Select the partition where
Windows currently is (confirm from the size) and delete, make a new RAW
one and select that for the install - to be formatted next. This will
leave the other partitions alone, but you will need to reinstall the
applications, choosing the same location, and once you have set up
accounts, will probably need to 'take ownership' of the other drives to
be able to access them

 

[Anthony Laudani]

First I would try a repair reinstall.....This will retain your existing software
installations and most settings.

Thanks for your reply, Alex. No trouble here, then. I definitely do
NOT want to retain any existing software settings, so I'm going to opt
for the "new" install.

If that does not do it follow the same course, but take New Install, In
that, when asked where Windows is, hit ESC. Select the partition where
Windows currently is (confirm from the size) and delete, make a new RAW
one and select that for the install - to be formatted next. This will
leave the other partitions alone, but you will need to reinstall the
applications, choosing the same location, and once you have set up
accounts, will probably need to 'take ownership' of the other drives to
be able to access them

That's what I was thinking I could do. But are you absolutely certain
that deleting that first partition ("C", 10GB) will NOT affect the
other two partitions (since they are, after all, partitions on the
same physical hard drive)? I didn't think this was possible.

Additionally, what did you mean by "take ownership of the other drives
to be able to access them"? I'm unclear as to what this means unless
you were referring to the reinstallation of applications into the same
locations they were before. Again, I'm unclear.

Thanks for any additional info you can provide!

 

[Anthony Laudani]

If that does not do it follow the same course, but take New Install, In
that, when asked where Windows is, hit ESC. Select the partition where
Windows currently is (confirm from the size) and delete, make a new RAW
one and select that for the install - to be formatted next.

Alex:

One additional question: do I absolutely HAVE to *delete* the
partition and make a new RAW one to install XP? Can't I just opt out
of the partition changes and then proceed to the formatting phase?

Thanks for any info you can provide.

 

[Michael Stevens]

Michael:

Thanks so much for all your help. I now feel certain enough about all
the ramifications of a fresh install to begin.

Let me ask you (or anyone) a last question. On the page you mentioned
above ( http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html ), there is
a Step "10b" with an associated picture at
http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPpro3setup.jpg .

At that point during the clean install procedure, will I be able to
select my "C" partition that currently has XP installed on it? And,
if so, when proceeding to Step 11, will I be forced to re-format that
SINGLE partition? And, *most importantly*, will that reformatting
process (if it's required) alter in ANY way the data on my other
partitions (D&E)? Again, as a reminder, I'm not concerned with having
to reinstall any apps; I just want to keep the physical data on those
latter partitions.

Yes, you delete the partition XP is install and in the following screens,
you will select the file syytem and setup will format the drive.

I just want to be absolutely sure since I want to feel as cozy as
possible by avoiding a potential reformat of my data-filled D & E
partitions.

The other partitions will be fine, but make certain you select the correct
partition to delete and always have a backup of important data. It is always
possible for a hard drive failure or electrical surge.


--

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

 

[Durand]

Been watching this thread with interest. To answer your question, just insert
the xp cd and reboot. It will go into setup and once there you will encounter
the option to repair windows, press esc. Next you will be given installation
options and you can either do one of three things: repair install windows,
replace install windows over the original windows, or format and clean install
windows. If done right the third option is best, but sometimes the second option
can be inadvertenently done by mistake when one intends to repair install. In
most cases if you point to the c: partition that windows is currently installed
on (which you intend to replace anyway), you shouldn't lose any data from the
other partitions. I have done this many times with no trouble, but let me first
give you a standard warning before you start: image or backup the second and
third partitions to cd before you start the clean installation.

--
Regards,

Durand


| On Wed, 5 Nov 2003 09:48:20 -0800, "Michael Stevens"
|
| >Yes a clean install, but you will have to be sure you have all your
| >important data backed up, and it will only affect the partition your XP is
| >installed to. You will have to reinstall allyour applications though.
| >You boot from the CD and do a clean install.
| >Click on or copy and paste the link below into your web browser address bar.
| >How to clean install XP.
| >http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
|
|
| Michael:
|
| Thanks so much for all your help. I now feel certain enough about all
| the ramifications of a fresh install to begin.
|
| Let me ask you (or anyone) a last question. On the page you mentioned
| above ( http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html ), there is
| a Step "10b" with an associated picture at
| http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPpro3setup.jpg .
|
| At that point during the clean install procedure, will I be able to
| select my "C" partition that currently has XP installed on it? And,
| if so, when proceeding to Step 11, will I be forced to re-format that
| SINGLE partition? And, *most importantly*, will that reformatting
| process (if it's required) alter in ANY way the data on my other
| partitions (D&E)? Again, as a reminder, I'm not concerned with having
| to reinstall any apps; I just want to keep the physical data on those
| latter partitions.
|
| I just want to be absolutely sure since I want to feel as cozy as
| possible by avoiding a potential reformat of my data-filled D & E
| partitions.
|
| I'm almost ready to take the plunge. Thanks again... your site is
| wonderful and I'm enjoying browsing through all the other sections.
|
| - Anthony

 

[Alex Nichol]

That's what I was thinking I could do. But are you absolutely certain
that deleting that first partition ("C", 10GB) will NOT affect the
other two partitions (since they are, after all, partitions on the
same physical hard drive)? I didn't think this was possible.

Yes it is. That is one thing partitions are for - to keep operations
on one entirely separate from the others. You just have to take care
when deleting the present partition for the XP system that you select
*only* that one

Additionally, what did you mean by "take ownership of the other drives
to be able to access them"? I'm unclear as to what this means unless
you were referring to the reinstallation of applications into the same
locations they were before. Again, I'm unclear.

If you have NTFS file systems on them you *may* find after a new install
that they have their security/access permissions set for the original
user account which *may* not be the same as the one you now use in the
reinstallation. If that happens and you cannot get at them, be sure you
are logged in with Admin status, go to My Computer, r-click the drive
concerned and in Properties click Advanced on the Security page. There
you will find an Owner page. In it highlight your own account in the
'Change owner to' panel, and be sure to check the 'Replace owner on
sub-objects' box before OK

 

[Anthony Laudani]

This message consitutes a belated thanks to all in this thread who
helped me resolve an issue that was extremely important to me:
re-partitioning my drive and re-installing XP Pro.

All of the extremely informative replies to my questions helped me get
through the whole process of reformatting and re-installing XP Pro
without damaging any of my precious other partitions.

For KIWI & DAVETEST, who gave me some important hints on starting out
on the process.

For ALEX NICHOL & MICHAEL STEVENS, two MS-MVPs who gave me the lion's
share of responses and were patient in the extreme with all of my
oft-pedantic questions.

And for DURAND who "followed the thread with interest" (in his own
words) and gave me some final hints on undertaking the task at hand.

I just wanted to wrap up this thread with some unabashed *gratitude*
for those out there who often go unrewarded for their pains in dealing
with the thousands of questions fielded to them, and who go to great
lengths to assist those of us in need of information. Hats off to
*all* of you.

While I'm unable to reward any of you directly, I can only hope to pay
back some of your kindness by remembering to help someone else in need
in the future -- without promise of reward or remembrance. You guys
really brightened my week!

Again, kudos to all who helped me. You won't be soon forgotten.

 

[Anthony Laudani]

Note: Repeat Post
** Also posted in original thread **
--------------------------------------------------------
This message consitutes a belated thanks to all in this thread who
helped me resolve an issue that was extremely important to me:
re-partitioning my drive and re-installing XP Pro.

All of the extremely informative replies to my questions helped me get
through the whole process of reformatting and re-installing XP Pro
without damaging any of my precious other partitions.

For KIWI & DAVETEST, who gave me some important hints on starting out
on the process.

For ALEX NICHOL & MICHAEL STEVENS, two MS-MVPs who gave me the lion's
share of responses and were patient in the extreme with all of my
oft-pedantic questions.

And for DURAND who "followed the thread with interest" (in his own
words) and gave me some final hints on undertaking the task at hand.

I just wanted to wrap up this thread with some unabashed *gratitude*
for those out there who often go unrewarded for their pains in dealing
with the thousands of questions fielded to them, and who go to great
lengths to assist those of us in need of information. Hats off to
*all* of you.

While I'm unable to reward any of you directly, I can only hope to pay
back some of your kindness by remembering to help someone else in need
in the future -- without promise of reward or remembrance. You guys
really brightened my week!

Again, kudos to all who helped me. You won't be soon forgotten.

 

[davetest]

Note: Repeat Post
** Also posted in original thread **
--------------------------------------------------------
This message consitutes a belated thanks to all in this thread who
helped me resolve an issue that was extremely important to me:
re-partitioning my drive and re-installing XP Pro.

All of the extremely informative replies to my questions helped me get
through the whole process of reformatting and re-installing XP Pro
without damaging any of my precious other partitions.

For KIWI & DAVETEST, who gave me some important hints on starting out
on the process.

For ALEX NICHOL & MICHAEL STEVENS, two MS-MVPs who gave me the lion's
share of responses and were patient in the extreme with all of my
oft-pedantic questions.

And for DURAND who "followed the thread with interest" (in his own
words) and gave me some final hints on undertaking the task at hand.

I just wanted to wrap up this thread with some unabashed *gratitude*
for those out there who often go unrewarded for their pains in dealing
with the thousands of questions fielded to them, and who go to great
lengths to assist those of us in need of information. Hats off to
*all* of you.

While I'm unable to reward any of you directly, I can only hope to pay
back some of your kindness by remembering to help someone else in need
in the future -- without promise of reward or remembrance. You guys
really brightened my week!

Again, kudos to all who helped me. You won't be soon forgotten.

You're very welcome !
Dave

 

[Alex Nichol]

For ALEX NICHOL & MICHAEL STEVENS, two MS-MVPs who gave me the lion's
share of responses and were patient in the extreme with all of my
oft-pedantic questions.

And for DURAND who "followed the thread with interest" (in his own
words) and gave me some final hints on undertaking the task at hand.

I just wanted to wrap up this thread with some unabashed *gratitude*
for those out there who often go unrewarded for their pains in dealing
with the thousands of questions fielded to them, and who go to great
lengths to assist those of us in need of information. Hats off to
*all* of you.

While I'm unable to reward any of you directly, I can only hope to pay
back some of your kindness by remembering to help someone else in need
in the future -- without promise of reward or remembrance. You guys
really brightened my week!

You are very welcome - and it is responses like this that make things
worth while. We all started by coming and asking, moved to answering
more than we asked - and ended up doing almost nothing else. So if you
are inspired to join in, and help effectively and regularly in future,
you might be in a future generation of MVPs

 

[Michael Stevens]

This message consitutes a belated thanks to all in this thread who
helped me resolve an issue that was extremely important to me:
re-partitioning my drive and re-installing XP Pro.

All of the extremely informative replies to my questions helped me get
through the whole process of reformatting and re-installing XP Pro
without damaging any of my precious other partitions.

For KIWI & DAVETEST, who gave me some important hints on starting out
on the process.

For ALEX NICHOL & MICHAEL STEVENS, two MS-MVPs who gave me the lion's
share of responses and were patient in the extreme with all of my
oft-pedantic questions.

And for DURAND who "followed the thread with interest" (in his own
words) and gave me some final hints on undertaking the task at hand.

I just wanted to wrap up this thread with some unabashed *gratitude*
for those out there who often go unrewarded for their pains in dealing
with the thousands of questions fielded to them, and who go to great
lengths to assist those of us in need of information. Hats off to
*all* of you.

While I'm unable to reward any of you directly, I can only hope to pay
back some of your kindness by remembering to help someone else in need
in the future -- without promise of reward or remembrance. You guys
really brightened my week!

Again, kudos to all who helped me. You won't be soon forgotten.

Anthony Laudani,
Thank you very much for taking the time to give us some positive feedback.
It is replies like this that makes replying to all the redundant CDO posts
worthwhile. It is nice to know the information was useful and resolved the
problem. With so many of the posted replies to the CDO web format most
likely never seen by the person seeking the information, the premise of
newsgroup peer support is still accomplished by the sharing of information
to those that can find it.
--

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
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