How to not lose info with clean install

[shiato storm]

I'm not entirely stupid when it comes to disk management, I have partitioned my main hdd in to an 'OS' section (~10gb) and a 'files and programs' section (the rest of the 160gb hdd).
This means if things go down the pan I can just reinstall the OS section whilst still retaining all the bits that make it work nicely and my work documents...or so it seems but then I had a thought. I tried this reformat/reinstall melarky with the intention of retaining programs to use as per normal but i clearly did something wrong as once reinstalled i couldn't open certain things like office which claimed it wasn't registered on my computer (wtf!? ).
I know people go through the procedure a reasonable amount and wouldn't do if it meant losing all their vital data. So, what did I do wrong and what should I do to ensure I retain registration details of programs - such as office - meaning I don't need to reinstall them too?

[megah0]

you lost the registry where this info is held

[Daymonkey]

Before you reformat, open up regedit by going to run and typing 'regedit' in then go to file and export it to the other drive or a cd or something. As soon as you reformat go back into regedit, import then import that file and you should be fine

[yamangman]

I'm not entirely stupid when it comes to disk management

That's really brilliant, no really, very very funny

Almost everything you install will supply registry entries. They are needed for programs to function.

I think it's best to have a partition for programs and files that function independant of the Windows registry, and have all of your programs (office etc) reside in the system partition.

If you restore your registry into a new install it's most likely gonna have a load of stuff in there no longer needed, and may cause problems.

[mike_w]

I always think that you're best off just doing a clean install - that way, you have a much better chance of not causing any problems!

[nichomach]

I'm not entirely stupid when it comes to disk management, I have partitioned my main hdd in to an 'OS' section (~10gb) and a 'files and programs' section (the rest of the 160gb hdd).
This means if things go down the pan I can just reinstall the OS section whilst still retaining all the bits that make it work nicely and my work documents...or so it seems but then I had a thought. I tried this reformat/reinstall melarky with the intention of retaining programs to use as per normal but i clearly did something wrong as once reinstalled i couldn't open certain things like office which claimed it wasn't registered on my computer (wtf!? ).
I know people go through the procedure a reasonable amount and wouldn't do if it meant losing all their vital data. So, what did I do wrong and what should I do to ensure I retain registration details of programs - such as office - meaning I don't need to reinstall them too?

OK, when you vaped your existing Windows install, you killed the existing registry, which included all the details of the programs you installed. When you reinstalled Windows, even though all the stuff under, say, Program Files was still there a) Windows didn't know about it, and b)any supporting files installed to the Windows and Windows\System32 folder (which Office does quite a lot of) were nuked as well. If you nuke windows, you WILL need to reinstall your programs - your data will still be there, but your programs won't work until you do.

You could always use Ghost to image a pristine install after you've put on all the apps that you really need?

[Spunkey]

Whats the point of reimporting your registry of the old installation right after a clean install? Surely that negates the whole point of the reinstall?

[nichomach]

Who's suggesting that? Do a clean install. Install just the programs that you regard as necessary. Apply all the updates and service packs you want. Ghost it. Then if you decide to reformat your machine sometime in the future, you have a good clean image to install, that includes all the stuff you need but none of the extraneous crap that you may have installed since.

[Allen]

I don't think it was aimed at you, nichomach, Daymonkey suggested it. I wouldn't suggest that either as you'll end up with another cluttered installation.

Also, Ghost might not always be the best for someone who's constantly upgrading as it could have driver problems, etc. Still, Ghost is ideal for someone who doesn't change their computer often.

I use 2 partitions, one hosts OS and programs, the other hosts my work, music and any downloaded patches and upgrades etc. The 2nd partition is always linked to My Documents for ease of use. That way, if I re-install Windows I don't have to re-download anything and I keep my work and all my music and stuff.

Also, before the wiping of the first partition, I copy all my saved games to the 2nd so I don't lose them either.

[Xaneden]

Also, if you import your old registry, you'll include all the major settings and changes programs have made to your old installation? I wouldn't be surprised if things messed up in the new installation if you did that.

Your best bet is to reinstall completely. I do it once a month, and I never get any lagging down on my system, and it makes things much better imho.

[shiato storm]

That's really brilliant, no really, very very funny

it wasn't meant to be funny, just honest!

Still, Ghost is ideal for someone who doesn't change their computer often.

this sounds more me...so this ghost thing, its a program I can download from somewhere yes?

[shiato storm]

just found out ( ) ghost is Norton program.
£40! thats a bit much isn't it - what does it do for that?

[nichomach]

Basically Ghost generates an image of your install which you can then use to restore off a bootable CD, it does scheduled and incremental backups if you want, basically as long as you've made an image of a working install, including programs, settings, everything, it can restore that, so you don't need to do a reinstall of all your apps, OS etc.

[ajbrun]

I always think that you're best off just doing a clean install - that way, you have a much better chance of not causing any problems!

I only have one partition (C: ), is that a daft thing to do?

[shiato storm]

Basically Ghost generates an image of your install which you can then use to restore off a bootable CD, it does scheduled and incremental backups if you want, basically as long as you've made an image of a working install, including programs, settings, everything, it can restore that, so you don't need to do a reinstall of all your apps, OS etc.

ooh, thas handy. shame its a bit pricey...

[mike_w]

I only have one partition (C, is that a daft thing to do?

Some people say you should have separate partitions. I just stick everything on C, and copy over any data onto CDs or my spare hard drive when I need to reformat.