[lufc71]

Hi,

My HDD has two partitions; C: & D:. Windows XP is on C: and most of my other software is on D:

I want to now re-install XP as the PC is running pretty poor atm. So finally... my question is this:-

After re-installing XP, will I then have to re-install everything else even if the software is on D:? i.e. because the registry will be 'new', the software on D: will no longer be 'registered'.

I have all this software, so thats not a problem, I'm just trying to save the hassle of re-installing everything.

Thanks for your help :)

[Hybr!d]

Depends, you can do a repair or full install.

What are the current problems? That denotes which route to take really.

[lufc71]

Hi,

Thanks for your reply.

It's just running generally slow. It's never been super-fast but was always much better than now. I've not done a re-install for several years so it's probably about time. :)

[Carbon]

You could always back up the registry then restore it afterward, I suppose, but that may cause problems unless the C drive is exactly the same as before, which obviously it's not going to be. I'd really try to fix the underlying issue, the common wisdom that you need to flatten and reinstall every whatever months is nice but it's not the whole story.

[lufc71]

^ yup, I 100% agree. I always say the same thing.

Unfortunately, I spend most of my time overseas now and don't have the time to troubleshoot in this particular case. My missus uses it 95% of the time and I just need to get it sorted before I leave again. This seemed to be the best 'quick fix'. Thanks anyway :)

edit: Yeah, using a verbatim registry wouldn't work, but I could possibly copy and paste the relevant parts.

[philthomas]

Quicker to bite the bullet and do a clean install, By the time you try to patch it up, you could be up & running clean again

I agree with Carbon about the underlying cause ..... but I think you have identified that already ..... "the missus"

[lufc71]

Originally Posted by philthomas

...I agree with Carbon about the underlying cause ..... but I think you have identified that already ..... "the missus"

I am too much of a gentleman to have suggested that phil

When I bought this system several years back, I had the bright idea that if I made a partition specifically for software installation and leave a smaller partition for the OS that it would save me time if it ever required an OS re-installation.
hmmm...I guess I've now found a tiny flaw in this cunning plan. ;)

[rwc1969]

I thought the same thing.

If you have the OS on one partition, C, and most everything else on another, D; i.e. documents and settings, pictures, apps, then you just reformat C and reinstall the OS clean. Everything on D should be fine and accessible, right?

Also, if you have an earlier full backup of C then you could restore whatever is not on D back to the new OS and C partition, No?

I'm confused!

[lufc71]

Originally Posted by rwc1969

I thought the same thing.

If you have the OS on one partition, C, and most everything else on another, D; i.e. documents and settings, pictures, apps, then you just reformat C and reinstall the OS clean. Everything on D should be fine and accessible, right?

Also, if you have an earlier full backup of C then you could restore whatever is not on D back to the new OS and C partition, No?

I'm confused!

Documents, pictures etc - yes (if on D:, or more specifically, not on C:)
Settings - no. Although 'favourites' is only a small file and can simply be copied and pasted back into the new fav directory after the re-install of the OS.
Apps - no. This was the purpose of the post; although they are still completely on the D: drive, the registry entries will be gone as there will be a new registry file rendering them useless and requiring a total re-installation.

I have now done the re-format/OS re-install and it now works as normal :). However, one word of warning for anybody thinking of doing the same thing; Microsoft now demand that you verify that your copy is an original and you have 30 days in which to do it online. I am sure that everybody here has an original, but there may be somebody, somewhere who will fall foul of this. ;)

[rwc1969]

Thanks for the reply. It is good to know.