re-formatted windows but games still on other disk drive, add/remove programs??

[johnnr892]

Hi, just re-formatted my boot disk with windows only on it, but now I'm wondering how do i get all my games on the other hard drive to re-appear on the desktop, start menu, and on the add remove bar in control panel...all my games are now are just folders...Thanks, John.

[Craig321]

Hi,

Reinstall them, it will partly go through the install and it'll restore the shortcuts and registry entrys.

So just stick the CD in and click install/reinstall and it should work.

Craig.

[johnnr892]

so i have to re-install every single one separately??what about all my saved games and stuff, will they remain?Thanks

[kidzer]

Saves will remain, so long as they weren't stored in your "Application Data" folder, which resides on the disk you install Windows on.

If they were saved in the Game directory say, then they should still be usable after you reinstall the game.

[Llwyd]

Which games? because anything running within steam can just have its executable copied from its install file onto the desktop and run. If difficulties are encountered due to missing reg entries you can run a verification check thingy and it will sort it all

[Hottentot]

Some games will work if you just create a shortcut to the game exe. Just right click on the exe and 'Send to desktop (create shortcut)'. Doesn't work with all games though.

[GoNz0]

it was a bad idea to start with, you will get countless problems from doing that.
delete and reinstall.
rescue the my docs folder as game saves will be there.

[johnnr892]

Ok thanks, wouldn't work if i put all my games next time on a partition on c drive would it?same principle of problems?john

[autopilot]

Ok thanks, wouldn't work if i put all my games next time on a partition on c drive would it?same principle of problems?john

No. When you format the drive/partition Windows is on you all lose the registry, which will contain various important data and any important DLL's etc that may also have been copied over will be gone too.

Reinstalling is the only option really. In really simple terms - you may have a bunch of files left for your games, but important files/data/reg settings are lost when you remove windows.

[xsnv]

Can't you just copy your saved games folder? Thats what i did when i reinstalled windows on a different hdd.

[Disturbedguy]

I know that if say you have a partitioned drive if you format just the OS version the rest will remain.

But before you format theere is a file..I believe its active directory, if you back that up to a CD when your have reinstalled your OS if you run the Active Directory backup it relinks all programs, games etc with no need to reinstall.

I know it doesnt help right now as you've already formated but maybe its something you can use inthe future.

[johnnr892]

ah thanks very much for that. i will try it next time install, yeah and i went and backed up my save game folders. john

[directhex]

rescue the my docs folder as game saves will be there.

most games make their own decisions with what to do with saves

some store them somewhere with the main game executable itself (e.g. steam uses steam\appdata\steamid\gamename\), some use the user's application data folder (documents and settings\username\application data\gamename), some use the easily visible "my documents" (e.g. civ4)

you absolutely cannot be sure that a game will keep its saves in my documents - most don't