need advice on installing XP

[rtcprogrammer]

I am currently using XP pro and want to re-install a fresh copy on a new hard-drive. This is a multi-part question, so bear with me...

I first need some advice on how to save my settings. I know I can use the File And Settings Transfer wizard but I only have one computer. I have a cd=burner, can I save my wizard's work to a file and import it later?

Secondly, I have an ATA card and want to use some extra hard-drives I have laying around. I can either set up a RAID or just use them as extra storage. Can I get some partition schemes from all you guys? I don't know how I want to set this up yet. There are SO many ways to set up a computer it's not even funny!!

I really appreciate any advice and opinions.

[njovin]

You sound pretty savvy, so I'm going to say this: I've tried using the settings xfer wizard before and found I could usually setup all my setting and manually backup all my files quicker than it would take me to make that thing do it the way I want, so that's what I recommend.

As for your spare HDDs, why partition them? Seems like a lot of work for no reason. Just format them NTFS and run them whole.

Cheers.

[rtcprogrammer]

lol I'm the same way. I just hate to lose my info within Outlook and various programs.

What if I exported my registry for particular programs? Has anyone had any luck getting that to work in their favor?

[slauhter]

Hi
Firstly most programs have data files.
Ie Outlook.
C:\Docs & Setting\"User"\Application data\Outlook\"xxx.pst"
If you copy that file you can import it back into Outlook later and you will get all you emails and Contacts back.

If you use File and transfer wizard, it will allow you to specify a folder to store this, once done burn that folder to a CD then you can restore it later.

Most modern programs store there documents etc in My docs which is pretty easy to save to CD.

All other programs you will have to find there data files.

As per the registry you can copy keys, however if you have the original cd's/install files for the programs I would recommend just re-installing them properly as manual copying of programs can be a long a difficult process if you know what your doing.

[slauhter]

Oh yeah with the partitioning.

It is a very good idea, Usually you want 5-10GB for O/s and apps.
ie C:\

Then just setup your other drives however you want.

My setup is as follows.

60GB disk.

C: 10GB - O/s and Apps
D: 10GB - Downloads, documents and backups
E: 40GB - Movies, Mp3's and Games

By doin this if you O/s dies, you can just Format and re-install C: and all your other stuff is there.
With games you can quite often just copy the reg keys to import later.
But apps are far more complex.

[Wilbur]

If you are backing up Outlook Express instead of Outlook there is an easy way. Just put all your mail into one or more personal folders (i.e., not "Inbox"), then shut down OE and copy those folders ".dbx" files someplace else. Also be sure to copy the Folders.dbx file, it is the one that retains the folder "structure". Then once you've installed OE you can either "Import from message store" (slow) or just copy all the ".dbx" files into your OE directory (while OE is not running of course). Of all the methods I've attempted this is by far the quickest and easiest to move OE messages from one machine to another (using the "import store" or backing up and restoring (using copy method). (I have lots of very large folders, so importing can literally take hours).

[WJK]

As for your Ourlook contacts & email look for a *.pst file. The default is "Mailbox.pst". It should be in the Documents and Settings on C:. Backit up and copy it back after you get everything ready. I do suggest putting in on another disk besides C:. This way if you do have to wack C: again you have nothing to worry about. You could also put, as I do (but then I'm the only one using my computer), put your My Documents on a another drive.

[JiNx]

What is the File and Transfer wizard? How do you access that? Is it only on XP Pro?

Thanks. It sounds like something that would have come in handy yesterday when I decided to format my drive and reinstall XP Home.

[slauhter]

START/PROGRAMS/ACCESSORIES/SYSTEM TOOLS

It basically saves all your user data so you can transfer it to a new user or machine.