Starting "from scratch...Reinstall everything" Where do I start???????????

  • Thread starter Thread starter MikeCox
  • Start date Start date
M

MikeCox

I want to re-install XP and start over, but... Where do I start? Is
there a methodical approach to doing this?

For example, what file types do I save in order not to loose
configurations to applications that I have tweaked for years? Like do
I save all INI files and all ??? files.

What about Reg entries, how do they effect application configurations?

Should I just save all Program file folders and drag them back after
re-installing XP.

Will I have problems getting XP authorized again


--Michael

in Sunny San Diego
 
Hi Mike,

If you install "from scratch", then you will need to reinstall programs and
reconfigure to your liking. You can use the Files and Settings Transfer
Wizard to preserve some settings, but the rest will need to be redone
manually. For fastwiz, simply create a file using it before starting over
(if you save this to the hard drive, be careful not to format the partition
containing it).

Why do you want to start over? There may be another way...

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone
 
Why do you want to start over? There may be another way...
Click to expand...
You'll wish you never asked that question (-:

Because I have so many annoying problems I was told by someone on an
internet forum that I should stop posting so many questions and just
re-install everything; like:

1. I can't get "Recent documents" added to the Recent Docs folder.
2. I can't drag and drop DT icons, even tough I have the Drag and Drop
set.
3. I can't open the Folders option in the Control Panel.
4. The icons in the Quick Lanch toolbar change. Right now they are
correct, but the next time I look at them then will not relate to the
apps they are supposed to represent.
5. When I click on the > symbol in the "Notification area", on the
right end of the Taskbar, it opens and closes so quickly I can't see
the hidden icons. I have to keep clicking it until it stays open.
6. Lately I have been unable to dl files that are linked. If the file
is not linked I can dl it; it's a real mystery to me why this started
happening.
7. There is a mystery file (DvzMsger.exe) that creates an error
message indicating that is has to shut down messages.
8. and the list goes on...
....and the list goes on.
--Michael

in Sunny San Diego
 
Hi Mike,

Follow these steps to do a repair install which should preserve your data,
settings, and programs:

1. Insert the Windows XP CD into your computer's CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM
drive.
2. Restart your computer. If you have to, change the BIOS settings to start
from
the CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM drive, and then restart your computer again.
3. At the "Welcome to Setup" page, press ENTER.
4. Press F8 to accept the Licensing Agreement.
5. Use the arrow keys to select the installation of Windows XP that you want
to
repair, and then press R to start the automatic repair process.
6. When Setup is completed, activate Windows XP.

Note that you will need your Product Key for this procedure, so have it
handy before you begin. As to the DvzMsger.exe messages, you need to locate
where that is coming from and disable/remove it (I have no idea what it is,
and that ain't good). Start/run msinfo32, expand the software environment
and click on the startup programs. Locate the line loading it and make note
of where it is loading from. This is where you will need to go to remove it.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone
 
Hi Mike,

Follow these steps to do a repair install... As to the DvzMsger.exe messages
Click to expand...

Wow!
Rick, if all this works you will be my HERO!
I'll let you know.

--Michael

in Sunny San Diego
 
snip

Follow these steps to do a repair install which should preserve your data,
settings, and programs:
Click to expand...

I didn't find a "repair" option on the XP CD but I found an "Upgrade"
option and ran it, and IT WORKED!

I've run a check on the list of problems I've been reporting and, so
far, most of them have cleared up.

Thanks so much for pointing me in the right direction.
--Michael

in Sunny San Diego
 
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