Driver Files-Word-MSCONFIG-RAM/ROM ratio

Driver Files
1. Are driver files only needed for hardware?
2. Is it possible and how would one make a copy of all the present non-Microsoft driver files on my computer (for convenience) should I have to do a clean re-install?
3. What search keyword(s) could one use to collate them all and thus ensure one had a complete collection.
I realise one can use the appropriate CDs (one of which I have mislaid) and/or visit manufacturer’s websites to get the latest updates.but I am thinking in the first instance “quick and convenient”. Incidentally there is a website called ‘Jer-mar’ with a program ‘wdrvbck’ which collates them but recently when I re-installed my Windows Me they were all rejected and it was a good thing I had copied my old Windows folder before re-installing! Of course it may be I have answered my own question but perhaps there is a better and more scientific way.than having an old Windows folder copy?

Word
Sometimes one copies pages from other sources only to find that the copy typing only extends part way across the page. Of course one can convert to full lines (one at a time) by using the space-bar, End and Ddelet keys but is there a quicker method?

MSCONFIG
Why do the programs listed under the “Startup” tab in msconfig have to loaded? What is so special about them?

RAM/ROM ratio
What is more important, the ratio of the RAM/ROM or the absolute values of RAM/ROM For example with 8MB of RAM I once nearly filled a 100MB hard disk and rarely had a problem. I now have 250MB of RAM with an 84GB hard disk but I cannot help feeling problems would abound long before I filled a quarter of it! Or is the absolute value of ROM immaterial but more dependent on the amount of RAM versus the active ROM ie. The number of programs open at any one time.

Kind regards,
Pat

 

No way I know of to automate locating and copying your driver files. Best I can suggest is to run Everest and Belarc Advisor and use them to find out specifically what hardware you have then visit the hardware sites and download the latest drivers and copy them to CD.

I use eCleaner to strip junk from documents. There are lots of other apps that will do it though.

None of the msconfig startup stuff MUST be loaded at start time. Lots of it probably doesn't even need to be loaded. You only need to be loading the stuff you want to have available when your PC starts. AntiVirus comes to mind.

Your RAM/ROM question can't be answered as written. However, it does indicate a little confusion.

RAM = random access memory = your computer's workspace. Think of an office and RAM is like the top surface of your desk. You lay things out there, work on them, put them away. The more space you have, the more stuff you can work on before having to put any of it away.

ROM = read only memory = a program living inside of a chip to give a piece of hardware very quick access to it and a very small chance of it being changed/damaged/lost.

Storage = hard drive / floppy drive / etc. space. Think of the same office and then think of the filing cabinets. Stuff is stored in drawers until it is needed then is taken out, put on the desktop (in RAM), worked on, and put back when finished. Your 84Gb hard drive simply indicates how large the file cabinet is.

The 'ratio' you are thinking of is probably the amount of your hard drive being used for a swapfile / pagefile. This is an area of the hard drive the PC uses as extra (but slow) memory. To stretch the office example a bit, think of swapfile space as file drawers in the desk. Quicker to get at than the file cabinet. If your PC needs to free up some RAM, it will take desktop items not being worked on right that second (like a word document you aren't editing) and put them in folders in the desk so they can be gotten to quickly.

The more RAM you have (larger desktop) the less likely it is that your PC will need to remove stuff to free up work space. OTOH, some folks like to keep huge amounts of programs and files open at the same time so even a large amount of RAM can be used up and swap file space needed.

I normally like to make my pagefile about twice the size of the installed RAM but you can find suggestions that range from not much to lots and lots. It all depends on your work habits. Basically, the less RAM you have, the larger your swapfile/pagefile needs to be.