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reformating help

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by krazmona, 2003/08/12.

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  1. 2003/08/12
    krazmona

    krazmona Inactive Thread Starter

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    My computer is acting like a piece of @#$#. It hasnt been cleaned out in ages. I have done the reformating before no problem but this time my hubby would like me to save his game that he is playing. How do I do that.I know I can put my favs on disc and my address book on disc but don't know how to get them back into my computer easily.

    Lisa
     
    krazmona,
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  2. 2003/08/12
    Miz

    Miz Inactive Alumni

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    Look in the folder where the game is installed for a sub-folder called "Save" or Saved Games" or something along those lines. That's where all his saved games will be. Just burn that sub-folder to CD.

    When you restore files from a CD, they will copy to the harddrive as Read Only. Make sure after copying them back to the harddrive, you right-click and change the properties to either Archive or nothing (no boxes checked).

    Win98 requires you to change the files within folders, just changing the attribute of the folder itself won't change the files within it. XP (and ME, too, I think) will ask if you want to change all the files within, making the process simpler.

    If you have trouble remembering where the various files and folders go, make a txt file with the path of everything you back up in it and burn it to the same CD.
     
    Miz,
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  4. 2003/08/12
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    When I reformatted and installed WinXPpro and subsequently copied my documents back from CD, they didn´t get the read only attribute. I actually expected them to have that attribute and copied to a temp folder to apply Miz' trick to the lot but didn´t have to.

    A step forrward ......

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  5. 2003/08/12
    krazmona

    krazmona Inactive Thread Starter

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    I will let you both know how it works out. I saved the files I think, and I am going to reformat tomorrow. I hope.

    Lisa
     
    krazmona,
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  6. 2003/08/12
    Miz

    Miz Inactive Alumni

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    Christer - Did you use a CD-R or a CD-RW for the backup? I've wondered if using a CD-RW would eliminate that annoying "Read Only" problem...since I'm far too lazy to use the command line to copy them without their attributes. ;)

    krazmona - There is a way to check to make sure you've saved the correct files for the game. Move the Saved Games files on the harddrive to another folder, then copy the ones you saved from the CD back to where they belong, make sure they're not marked "Read Only" and fire up the game. If it works as it's supposed to, you've got the right files backed up.

    Having lost a game's saves in the past, I know how it affects the gamer...and it's not pretty. Well worth the extra few minutes to check the backup files before you format. ;)
     
    Last edited: 2003/08/12
    Miz,
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  7. 2003/08/12
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    Miz,
    I copied the "My documents" folder including all subfolders but excluding all system files (*.ini and *.db) to CD-R. I have a number of other data folders too which I also copied. I didn´t use any sort of backup utility, I dragged-and-dropped to Nero.

    As I understand it, the Read Only attribute is given to the files when Windows read and copy them from the CD-R to the HDD. It is my experience that this is valid for the 9x operating systems, including WinME but not for WinXP. I don´t know what goes for Win2K because I´ve never used it.

    HTH,
    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  8. 2003/08/12
    QUARTERPOUNDER

    QUARTERPOUNDER Inactive

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    FILE BACKUPS

    Lisa,

    Depending on what Operating System (W95,98, XP?) you are running, it may have a BACKUP program built in. If not, you need to download a freebe or buy one.

    You can set its parameters to copy only the files that you really need, but that may be quite a few when you think about it. Not just your own work files and games, but all your setup preferences for Windows and other applications.

    To go ALL THE WAY, you need a second hard drive... either internal or external. Then buy Norton Ghost. This will allow you to make a perfect CLONE of your hard drive before you format it.

    If your hard drive fails, then just buy a new one, format it, and let Ghost give you your same PC back again.

    The clone deal will not usually work if you put your old Hard Drive into a new PC, however. Since Ghost makes a perfect clone of your old one, it will look for your old BIOS and motherboard chips.

    But you can still re-install your software and then "COPY" your work files over to the new machine. This also gives you a sample directory to view so you can tell if you forgot to install anything.

    QUARTERPOUNDER
     
    QUARTERPOUNDER,
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  9. 2003/08/13
    Miz

    Miz Inactive Alumni

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    Christer - Thanks for the information. It occurred to me after I posted that I've not had to restore any backed up files on my XP system so I don't know if they work the same as on Win98. I imagine I'll find out sooner or later. ;)

    I back up the same way you do...just pick the folders I want to back up, burn them to a CD with Nero or whatever burning program I have at the time. Naturally, being the lazy sort, I picked up a free little backup program, set it up to backup to a folder on the harddrive when I tell it to and then burn that folder to a CD.

    Now, if I could only remember to label those CDs so I could find the one I need when I need it.....*sigh*
     
    Miz,
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  10. 2003/08/13
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    Well Miz, You´re not the only one to search for a good labeling system.
    I still put files in folders that were created day one and making monthly or even quarterly backups consumes a few CDs.
    I think that I´ll start using two sets of CD-RWs and use them alternatingly, if You know what I mean. That way I wont fill my drawers with CDs that I rarely use ...... :eek: ...... touch wood.

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  11. 2003/08/14
    krazmona

    krazmona Inactive Thread Starter

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    Thank you all so much, what a wonderful group of people here. I still have a few questions so I will go ask them now. LOL

    Lisa
     
    krazmona,
    #10
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