best way to transfer data back when reinstalling operating system

  • Thread starter Thread starter muggz82
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muggz82

Hi there,

Im about to wipe my computer and reinstall my operating system. I was
wondering what the best method to get my old data off and back onto my
newly formatted hard drive.

i have 60gb of data, and a dvd burner.

ive heard of making a hard drive image, is that the best way?

Im looking for the easiest possible way

thanks people
 
(e-mail address removed) wrote in @g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:
Hi there,

Im about to wipe my computer and reinstall my operating system. I was
wondering what the best method to get my old data off and back onto my
newly formatted hard drive.

i have 60gb of data, and a dvd burner.

ive heard of making a hard drive image, is that the best way?

Im looking for the easiest possible way
Click to expand...

If you've got an extra hard drive laying around, then mirror your current
drive to it. Then when you get your OS and applications reinstalled, you
can slave the mirrored drive to it and copy the data you need back to your
original drive.
60Gb is a lot of data... about 15 DVDs worth.
 
There are a number of programs like Norton Ghost that can do this, or, you
could burn everything to DVD; but in my opinion, just buy a new hard drive
to install your OS onto; jumper your original drive to slave, and leave it
installed, then you can access all your data; after you transfer
everything, just keep the old drive installed for storage.
Do you mind me asking why you need to do this in the first place? I don't
know when your OS was first installed, but I can imagine there are hours of
updating to do after the reinstall.
Ted
 
If you're going to REINSTALL your operating system, you certainly don't want
an IMAGE of your current drive. One of the easiest ways to backup your data
is to an EXTERNAL hard drive connected to an available USB port.


--
 
ok ive decided its best to purchase a external hard drive. but how do i
get the whole lot of files over to it without selecting each folder one
by one?

is norton ghost the best way?
 
The external hard drive is your best solution for extra storage capacity,
but from here it is not possible to tell you your next step, as I don't have
a clue as to why you are doing this in the first place.
 
u dont need to know do u? it wont change how it needs to be done.

whats the quickest way to get files from one hard drive to a external
one without having to keep selecting files to drag and drop, getting
read only errors etc. something that does it all in one go.

i want all my files and programs intact
 
u dont need to know why as that will have no impact on how it needs to
be done

i need to get all my programs and files, intact and fully working over
onto my external drive which i will then transfer back onto a newly
formatted hard drive.

i dont want to have to do each folder one by one, which then could mess
up programs i use as certain files needed for them to work might be
missing due to me missing out folders etc
 
Do you have USB 2?
You will have to reinstall your programs and any updates.
Is all of your data in one folder?
 
yep got usb 2 ports, no my data is everywhere thats why its gonna be
annoying to try and find it all, some progs i dont even have anymore on
cd i might have to drag the program folder onto the drive to take my
chance. but there must be a easier way,

nevermind!
 
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