Win XP network...

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Guest

I have just bought a new Dell Win XP Home Ed, and intend on setting a up a
direct cable connection with my old Win 98 PC.
My question is... when I have these PCs hooked up, can I drag the programmes
I wish to run on my new computer across the network to install them on the
new machine? I don't have all of my old disks - they seem to have disappeared
over the years (ie my MS Office, Nero and a few other bits and pieces). There
are also a few programmes which were downloads, and until I get my broadband
connected it's going to take several days to re-download them if that's what
I end up having to do!

Can anyone help please?
Thanks :)
 
No. You cannot drag and drop "programs". When a program is installed, it
will not only create a folder (or multiple folders) for itself, but will add
entries into the Windows Registry, and may add files to various Windows
folders (system, system32, etc). In order to have the programs on your new
computer, you *MUST* install them from the original disks.

In the future I would recommend two things:

1. Store all of your purchased program disks in a specific location.

2. You may legally make a backup copy of any CD/DVD program disks that you
purchase. I would make a copy of each disc, and use it for everyday
install/uninstall. It saves wear and tear on the original. What I do is
backup to CD-RW or DVD-RW, and as updates and patches become available, I
add them to the CD-RW or DVD-RW I created. That way, it is easy to
re-install and update the program if necessary.

Bobby
 
In
Carolyn said:
I have just bought a new Dell Win XP Home Ed, and intend on
setting a
up a direct cable connection with my old Win 98 PC.
My question is... when I have these PCs hooked up, can I drag
the
programmes I wish to run on my new computer across the network
to
install them on the new machine? I don't have all of my old
disks -
they seem to have disappeared over the years (ie my MS Office,
Nero
and a few other bits and pieces). There are also a few
programmes
which were downloads, and until I get my broadband connected
it's
going to take several days to re-download them if that's what I
end
up having to do!
Click to expand...


Sorry, no. The programs have to be reinstalled from the original
media. If you lost the media, you'll need to buy them again or
download them again.

The reason for this is that all programs but the trivial are not
just a single file. They have many components and many references
to them (in the registry and elsewhere). You need all of these
for the program to work.
 
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