Can I Do This?

[Bob]

I am currently running 98 SE. Every week I clone my HDD to an identical
HDD in an external case which converts IDE to USB. When I get into serious
trouble, I just swap drives.

I plan to format the internal HDD and do a clean install of XP Home SP2,
not an upgrade install. Completely clean with only the HDD and the CD-ROM
connected.

I would then like to "import" (?) programs and settings from the external
drive in order to save me the trouble of reinstalling programs. The
external HDD will run under XP without drivers.

Can I do this?

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I am currently running 98 SE. Every week I clone my HDD to an
identical HDD in an external case which converts IDE to USB. When I
get into serious trouble, I just swap drives.

I plan to format the internal HDD and do a clean install of XP Home
SP2, not an upgrade install. Completely clean with only the HDD and
the CD-ROM connected.

I would then like to "import" (?) programs and settings from the
external drive in order to save me the trouble of reinstalling
programs. The external HDD will run under XP without drivers.

Can I do this?

Applications - if you are performing a clean installation - will have to be
reinstalled manually most of the time.
However... If you use your Windows XP CD to utilize the Files and Settings
Transfer Wizard before you erase your operating system and install Windows
XP(to that external drive):

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306186

Then you can at least export all your settings and such (for the most part)
and import themm them when you get Windows XP installed and the applications
all reinstalled (yes - befotre applying the old profile to the machine -
have the applications installed so that the settings you exported will have
a place to go and will be less likely to be overwritten as you do the fresh
installs.)