Re-Install of XP

In the past when I re-installed XP, I've had to install most of my software because of data in the old registry that is gone

What would happen if I saved a copy of the old registry, installed XP and copied back the old REG file? As a precaution, I would save the newly created registery just in case. Would I be able to bypass all that software reinstalling?

 

tenbob--Why do you want to re-install XP? If you were able to do what you propose, you would just be saddling the new installation of XP with the problems you may be trying to overcome. The new ( "clean ") Registry is a very important part of the reinstallation of the Operating System.

What is the installation medium you have to reinstall XP? If it is a full version (rather than an OEM version that came with the PC) you should be able to reinstall XP without affecting personal data or installed programs.
http://pcworld.about.com/magazine/2109p156id111652.htm

 

Re-Insllation of Win XP

Hi,

as you said that you don't wants to install all the software again thus you will keep the backup of the old reg files well it works but for that you have to keep all the folders (where you have installed all your software e.g. program files etc. ) with the same path the were before ...

But the why do you wants to re-install the Windows XP ? are you facing any problem with the one you have ?!

Regards

 

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Your response is the very reason I asked the question. I was concerned that putting that reg file back would put back the original problems. I wish I could install a full version. I have that but the machine came with OEM and there are drivers that are there that are not on the full version. I will see if I can save those drivers to use after a full version install.
One reason for the re-install is that I have not been able to install SP2 and some of the MS updates will only install into SP2. There are numerous working problems that I know I could eliminate with a re-install. The OEM DOES mess up my installations registration. Not the software or data because I have those on another partition.

 

I know that. However, some of my apps have data connected to them, specific to them, such as assigned shortcut keys. I don't want to have the XP install wipe EVERYTHING from that system partition causing me to lose that program data. I'm not thinking about letters, for example, that I may have written in MS Word
Not only that, but when I do have to re-install my personal software, it's nice to look at that other partition to see the apps that were installed, and where, so I can reinstall them, rather than have a list of them

 

tenbob--

What media are you using when installation of SP2 fails? Any error messages?
http://groups.google.com/group/micr...d13ad?lnk=st&q=&rnum=5&hl=en#5d94ef73effd13ad

 

I install it from a CD that MS sent mt. It's been too long for me to remember the error message, tho.

 

Why wouldn't you opt to do a repair install and thereby avoid any issues with your programs and data?

 

Simple - the XP I got with my machine %&*%!! does NOT give me that option, only a full restore.

 

Windows XP Home sp2 available HERE for 90 usd. This would solve a lot of your problems and allow you to do a 'repair' install. I know this may not be a viable solution, but I've had my fill of these 'restore' CDs the computer manufacturers supply with their machines.

B

 

I can do a repair install with original XP Home CDs that I already own but would be lacking the drivers that my OEM machine had installed by them. I have to find out where, on the OEM CDs the drivers are, and if I can use them from their CDs

 

tenbob--Have you looked on that XP CD you got with the PC for a Drivers download section?

 

Haven't done it but that's my next step. Not quite ready to bite the bullet and do the re-install

 

The problem may be memory

My problem may be bad memory

I very often get an eerror box that says:

The instruction at :0x027d2e30 referenced memory at 0xc3b4248" The memory could not be read. I should keep track of the memory locations shown but that bad memory byte could be causing my problems.

Do you know of a memory test I could run? I used to have some under DOS but that was years ago and I don't have any now, in any event.

 

tenbob,

Here's a link to the Microsoft Memory Diagnostic. Here is another link to Memtest86+. Both of these work well... take your pick (or run both). HTH

B

 

I don't think anyone is going to argue against your "memory assessment ". I know it opens the door to contoversy when one makes a blanket statement but an awful lot of problems that appear on this and many other forums are directly related to bad memory. Unfortunately, it often takes a bad experience to convince some that "Not all memory is created equal ".



Back to the problem at hand - If you run Everest and save a system summary with hardware information, you should get a comprehensive list which you can use to run down drivers from the Internet. Then do a repair install and if you need any drivers - you'll know what you need and can download what you need. You'll also need to have your original key as its going to get requested during the installation.

 

I am d/l the MS app now. I did d/l Memtest and created the floppy as instructed. Booted from the floppy and it ran the first test very quickly with graphics showing it was running. When it started the second, there was no indication for about 10 minutes and I assumed it had hung. I'll try again tho.