Saving settings when reinstalling Windows XP

[N Miller]

My previous complaint about a sluggish system has led the folks at Dell
to suggest starting from scratch. However, I'd like to save some time
by having my settings in apps such as Word, Outlook Express and Mozilla
preserved and ready to go. Is that possible? Any advice welcome.

nm

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

Possible, perhaps using the Files and Settings transfer wizard, but that may
also recapture the problems you are trying to be rid of. Plus, regardless of
that, if you format and clean install, you will still need to reinstall
those programs first.

Info on the FASTWIZ:
http://aumha.org/win5/a/fast.htm

I would suggest rather that you try to isolate the problems:

How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP [Q310560]
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310560

HOW TO: Perform Advanced Clean-Boot Troubleshooting in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=316434

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Larry(LJL269)]

On Wed, 22 Dec 2004 21:13:31 -0500, "Rick \"Nutcase\"

|I would suggest rather that you try to isolate the problems:....


I agree. 'Reinstall OS' is an easy-out 4 TS but u'll
probably do same things u did b4 resulting in
same/similar problem.

Just my 2¢ worth- Larry
Any advise is my attempt to contribute more than I have received but I can only assure you that it works on my PC. GOOD LUCK.

 

[Larry(LJL269)]

U can save Desktop > Properties but I think it excludes
DPI setting & Appearances > Advanced.

I use a screen-saver app(*) & just snap a gif of each
window that has settings I want to save. I already have
a folder for the app so I create a sub-folder called
Settings & put them in there.(ie OE > Settings )

(*) U want 1 that will generate filenames auto. I like
Freeware: http://www.hoverdesk.net/freeware.htm

HTH-Larry

On Thu, 23 Dec 2004 01:56:25 GMT, N Miller

|My previous complaint about a sluggish system has led the folks at Dell
|to suggest starting from scratch. However, I'd like to save some time
|by having my settings in apps such as Word, Outlook Express and Mozilla
|preserved and ready to go. Is that possible? Any advice welcome.
|
|nm

Any advise is my attempt to contribute more than I have received but I can only assure you that it works on my PC. GOOD LUCK.

 

[N Miller]

Maybe you're right, but here's my situation. I use Drive Image and back
up every night. For some years my C: partition image has had a file
size of about 7 gb, but about a month ago it suddenly went to 9, then
11, then 13. McAfee shows nothing and I use Zone Alarm but I must have
some kind of growth in there and reinstalling ought to get rid of it.

nm

 

[Larry(LJL269)]

On Thu, 23 Dec 2004 17:51:32 GMT, N Miller

| For some years my C: partition image has had a file
|size of about 7 gb, but about a month ago it suddenly went to 9, then
|11, then 13. McAfee shows nothing and I use Zone Alarm but I must have
|some kind of growth in there and reinstalling ought to get rid of it.

I had same problem- it was due to app saving
configuration & not deleting old copies. Vendor had a
fix that deleted 2-3GB from HD.

Reinstall would just replicate problem N mos later.

Do search for files > 200MB, any type. C if thay r
clustered. If u get lots hits, change to 300MB. If u
get none, try 100MB. Sort ur results by path to see
clustering. Mine were 100's of 50MB files.

HTH-Larry
Any advise is my attempt to contribute more than I have received but I can only assure you that it works on my PC. GOOD LUCK.