Reinstalling Windows


ryanbgstl

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I came across a problem that might force me to reninstall windows. It would be a big pain for me to reinstall all my applications, such as the sims which has 5 expansion packs. Would it probably work if I copy backup data to another harddrive and merge the program's registry data with the new copy of windows's registry?
 
ryanbgstl posted on Sep 25 2003 at 10:03 PM said:
I came across a problem that might force me to reninstall windows. It would be a big pain for me to reinstall all my applications, such as the sims which has 5 expansion packs. Would it probably work if I copy backup data to another harddrive and merge the program's registry data with the new copy of windows's registry?
Almost surely it would not work. If those programs installed any dll's in your winnt directory, you won't get those files.

What I would recommend first is running the Windows 2000 setup from within Windows. Setup will discover you already have Windows installed, and you can install over the top of your existing installation. You won't lose any programs or data that way. I always try that first -- it's not as clean as a format/install, but if it keeps everything running, it's worth a shot.
 
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I have 2 HDs, one scsi, if you have to reinstall windows, its possible in some cases to just bounce the programs and data to the second HD (the one without windows,) and then reformat the original disk. I've actually always had to reformat the disk, the stupid windows installer never seems to work otherwise...

...Yeah, but its sooo nice usually to have a clean windows install, as it fixes (usually) all the wierd stupid errors and plus it cleans up all the superfluous icons and stuff, plus you dont have to keep looking for special tweaks to fix the original error.

Windows is evil though, very evil, and seemingly buggy when you have lots of games...
 
You should be able to reinstall Windows right over your current installation. Just boot to the Windows install CD, there should be an option to repair a current installation.
 
Errm, you're lucky if it is just Sims:

Sims doesn't install any DLLs outside its main directory.
So if you keep the main directory and the registry, it should work.

It's a good idea to backup HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE completely,
as all software titles that don't install anything in the windows directory will work.

Backup the Program Files-Folder before reinstalling!!

Then, after installing, copy back the Program Files-Folder, merge the Registry, and reinstall the programs that DON'T work.
It's also a good idea to backup your desktop so you can recopy it.

That's it.
 
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