Backing up and reinstalling entire hard drive?

Question

Does anyone know the best way for me to reinstall Windows and all my programs in the least time-consuming way? Preferably, I would like to know if I could use some sort of back up program to burn my data to DVD discs, reinstall Windows and then restore all my data from the DVD burns? Windows keeps freezing on me occasionally and I tried spy scanners, virus scanners, registry fixes, etc. and my PC still freezes occasional on me. Again, I want to know if I could somehow backup my programs so I can reinstall windows, then restore all my programs to the freshly installed windows installation without having to reinstall all my programs. Preferably I would like to use freeware programs if possible. Any ideas as to the faster and least painful way to do this? Or, would it be worth it just to manually reinstall everthing in order to get ris of the cause of my PC freezing

Answer 1

First I would use the Files and Settings transfer wizard to make an archive of all your data files. Start--> All Programs--> Accessories--> System Tools--> Files and Settings Transfer Wizard. Remember this does NOT do executable files or DLL's, just data files!

Next try out DriveImage XML from: http://www.runtime.org/dixml.htm

It's a free drive image utility that uses Microsoft's Volume Shadow Services so it only runs on XP Pro, XP Home and Server 2003 but it does allow you to browse the image and selectively restore individual files or do a full restoration.

Answer 2

A manual reinstall would be a good idea, because programs can make registry entries that you wouldn't be able to back up, and programs put many files in the Windows directory, and those can be a pain to track down.

If you format the hard drive and do a clean reinstall of your programs, right after you have reinstalled all of your programs, you can create an image of the hard drive. If anything goes wrong after you have this image, you can restore your PC to the state it was at when you made the image. Norton Ghost is a good program for this, but there are several freeware programs available.

Answer 3

At this point you can do the following two task.

1. You can take a photograph (make an image) of your drive with Norton Ghost or Drive Image from power quest. (This keep all your data, and if there is a problem during task two you can back at this point again without losing)

2. Reinstall your windows version. This keep all your programs and perhaps after re-Install your machine work fine.

3. If not you must reinstall all one per one.

Answer 4

There are programs like Norton Ghost that are supposed to help with this, but you have to let it make backups before your computer gets to this state.

Just doing a clean install of Windows and your basic programs to start with is a good start. Install other programs as you need them instead of trying to throw them all on your computer at once.

As far as time, it shouldn't take you more than 3-5 hours for the initial setup of Windows and your software, and configuring it all for your taste.

Answer 5

Have you tried doing a Windows repair rather than a full reinstall? This will save your programs and personal settings. You will need your install CD and your 25 digit Product Key.

With computer turned off and Windows CD in the drive, follow these steps:

1. Turn on your computer. The comp should go through its normal startup. You should get a prompt that says "Press any key to boot from CD"
2. Press a key - you want to boot from CD. (NOTE: If you never see the prompt to boot from CD, you may need to modify your BIOS so booting from the CD is first choice. Refer to your owner's manual on how to access your BIOS.)
During the boot process information is loaded from the CD to your computer and your computer is inspected. Eventually you will see a "Welcome to Setup" screen. You will have 3 choices: Setting Up, Repairing and Quitting.
3. Press Enter (to choose Setting Up) and then press F8 to accept the licensing agreement. DO NOT CHOOSE THE "R" FUNCTION TO REPAIR!! You do NOT want to use the recovery console.
Next you will see a screen with the following text: "If one of the following Windows installations is damaged, Setup can try to repair it."
At the bottom of your screen you should see the drive (usually drive C:) on which Windows is installed.
4. With that drive selected (highlighted) press "R" to begin the repair. The Setup program will check your system and determine what needs to be copied from the CD. Eventually your system will reboot.
5. When your system reboots you will see a message to "Press Any Key to Boot From CD". DO NOT PRESS ANY KEYS!! Let the system reboot from the hard drive on its own. This may take a minute or two.
What happens next (after it reboots) depends on how extensive the repairs were. If they were minor you will probably be able to start using Windows right away. If they were more involved, the repair will continue after the reboot.
6. Windows will continue to inform you of the progress of the repairs and you will be prompted to provide additional information as you move through the various steps.

Doing a repair means certain files already on your computer will be replaced with the files on the install CD. This means you will have to visit the Windows Update site so you can download the latest critical updates for your system.

Again, this is a repair, so your personal settings and programs will not be affected. If your problems persist, my suggestion is to back up your programs and files to an external hard drive rather than DVD. If you want to back up to DVD, I suggest you go to www.cnet.com and check out their freeware programs for system backups.

Hope this helps a little.

Answer 6

A sparkling set up is your desirable guess. in case you dig deep sufficient on "domicile windows" web site, you'll locate that they propose reformatting/re-installation each 6 months. i do no longer comprehend if it really is real of the more recent variations, as a lot of human beings (interior of a private MS community) have kept a log of "length of set up" on XP and now Vista. with slightly of luck, you've back-united statesof each of the updates. i comprehend you've your motives for employing win98 (I actually have a replica on a field also) yet, i'd noticeably propose upgrading to XP no less than. this is no longer one hundred% desirable....yet compared to ninety 8 this is the diff between a Ford Pinto and a Ferrari

Answer 7

If your asking this question then just do yourself a favor and take it to a pro to do it for you or you will loose data..trust me.