G
George
I'm using a WinXP-pro PC, a few months ago something damaged WinXP software,
now have lots of problems and wondered if others might offer suggestions on
the approach to recover. Everyone agrees it's a Windows problem and I just
need to re-format, re-install Win, and re-install all applications. Some
brief background to help paint the situation...
BACKGROUND
The PC and Windows do still work ok, but lots of issues daily...too many to
get into, it just needs a clean slate with a Win re-install.
Sure, I have backups of files, but that doesn't let me "see" how certain
things are setup (like settings in Windows and applications). In the past,
when I moved into a new PC, I just slowly/methodically installed application
software on the new PC, then transferred the data files into the new PC,
then started each application and visually checked various setup settings on
the old PC and duplicated them on the new PC...so everything ends up working
great. (Then, months later, when everything's stable, I'd just re-format
the OLD PC and sell it).
The problem I have now is, if I just save data files, then re-format the
entire OLD hard drive and re-install Win and applications, it could take a
long time to get all the apps working good again...there are just lots of
detailed setups. Plus, what if I find that a chunk of data (Outlook.pst is
a good example) that wasn't in my data files, but was buried in some system
folder, and I wiped it out, then I'm in real trouble, so...
APPROACH TO RECOVER
I bought an identical NEW internal hard drive from Dell, the idea being to
pull the OLD drive out (remember, it still works halfway "ok") and
"preserve" this (barely) working system.
Then I'd just install and re-format the NEW drive, add Win-XP, add
applications, transfer data, do settings, fix all issues. I could take my
time this way, over a week or two if needed. Plus, if some things don't
work right, or I missed a big data file somewhere...I could always unplug
the cable to the NEW drive, plug up the OLD drive and look at various
settings and/or copy the missing data file
ONE QUESTION
Will this approach work ok? Is there any reason that once the physical PC
is connected to the NEW drive, it would have problems going back to the OLD
drive, or various peripherals (CD/DVD, video card, sound card, memory,
ethernet card, tape backup drive, etc.) would get confused, get different
settings sent from the new WinXP, or cause the PC to not work right?
Is there a better approach (short of buying a new PC, too expensive), that
gives me a "go back" option and "time" to move into the new drive.
Would appreciate several opinions, particularly if someone's tried this. I
really need to "preserve" the OLD drive, and really need some time to
"re-build" the NEW (on the side) and keep working at the same time
Any suggestions/comments greatly appreciated, thanks,
George
now have lots of problems and wondered if others might offer suggestions on
the approach to recover. Everyone agrees it's a Windows problem and I just
need to re-format, re-install Win, and re-install all applications. Some
brief background to help paint the situation...
BACKGROUND
The PC and Windows do still work ok, but lots of issues daily...too many to
get into, it just needs a clean slate with a Win re-install.
Sure, I have backups of files, but that doesn't let me "see" how certain
things are setup (like settings in Windows and applications). In the past,
when I moved into a new PC, I just slowly/methodically installed application
software on the new PC, then transferred the data files into the new PC,
then started each application and visually checked various setup settings on
the old PC and duplicated them on the new PC...so everything ends up working
great. (Then, months later, when everything's stable, I'd just re-format
the OLD PC and sell it).
The problem I have now is, if I just save data files, then re-format the
entire OLD hard drive and re-install Win and applications, it could take a
long time to get all the apps working good again...there are just lots of
detailed setups. Plus, what if I find that a chunk of data (Outlook.pst is
a good example) that wasn't in my data files, but was buried in some system
folder, and I wiped it out, then I'm in real trouble, so...
APPROACH TO RECOVER
I bought an identical NEW internal hard drive from Dell, the idea being to
pull the OLD drive out (remember, it still works halfway "ok") and
"preserve" this (barely) working system.
Then I'd just install and re-format the NEW drive, add Win-XP, add
applications, transfer data, do settings, fix all issues. I could take my
time this way, over a week or two if needed. Plus, if some things don't
work right, or I missed a big data file somewhere...I could always unplug
the cable to the NEW drive, plug up the OLD drive and look at various
settings and/or copy the missing data file
ONE QUESTION
Will this approach work ok? Is there any reason that once the physical PC
is connected to the NEW drive, it would have problems going back to the OLD
drive, or various peripherals (CD/DVD, video card, sound card, memory,
ethernet card, tape backup drive, etc.) would get confused, get different
settings sent from the new WinXP, or cause the PC to not work right?
Is there a better approach (short of buying a new PC, too expensive), that
gives me a "go back" option and "time" to move into the new drive.
Would appreciate several opinions, particularly if someone's tried this. I
really need to "preserve" the OLD drive, and really need some time to
"re-build" the NEW (on the side) and keep working at the same time
Any suggestions/comments greatly appreciated, thanks,
George