What's the best way to move files and settings when repairing/reinstalling Windows XP?

Question

I've got a friends computer with Windows XP that's acting overly glitchy and crash prone. I want to repair Windows XP so I can clear out the changes that a previous tech did (which made the situation worse and I suspect he was trying to get some repeat business). My plan is to repair the install of XP if possible or reinstall if that doesn't clear the problems.

If I only have the one hard drive in it, is there any way to migrate the files and settings in a repair/reinstall? Do I need to have an additional harddrive for the migration process?

Answer 1

If your machine is live enough to do a copy, you should attach an external drive via USB and copy whatever is crucial to you.



In general you want to do a repair install and NOT use the repair console.



Detailed instructions for a repair install are here http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm He also describes how to create an XP disk with the service pack included easily.



If you can no longer do a repair install or find it too complicated, DO NOT reformat and reinstall as this will wipe you out and leave you with nothing but the operating system. You would have to reinstall all your programs and much of your data would be inaccessible.



Reimage can repair your system even if a repair install fails. It costs a little but it is well worth it to save your data. It takes about 30 minutes and preserves your programs and data. If you are not happy with the results, you don't have to pay and you can reverse any changes that it made. More information here http://www.askthecomputerdoc.com/blog/cant-repair-xp-what-to-do-if-xp-fails/

Answer 2

It's always best to have your backups on removable storage. If you backup to a partition on the same hard drive as the operation system and the HDD dies, you lose backups as well. Depending on the amount of files being backed up then a re-writable DVD could be used as the cheapest option, followed by a Thumb-drive or a USB hard-drive will hold the most.



Settings are a different thing. Some programs will allow you to backup settings to a file, which you backup to your removable device and then import back into the program after the clean install. Don't forget to backup Favorites from the browser they are often overlooked. As well as any files in the Shared folder.



Go to Control panel and then Add/Remove programs. When the list is populated take a screen-shot of the programs installed (press the Print Screen key on the key board and paste it into Paint) . Save it again to your removable device. This will make it easier to remember when it comes to reinstalling all those programs.



If you do a clean install DON'T activate windows XP until you have installed all the drivers.

Answer 3

You don't need an additional HD to transfer the files (but it would be ideal) A cheaper way to do it is to get a Flash Drive (USB stick). They are really cheap and can pack a bunch of files on there. 16 GB is crazy cheap when you compare to a hard drive.

Answer 4

u can make ur hardware two (hard c,d) its one but cutted to two so u can install windows on the first and on the second u save ur things so u wont lose it