Thanks for the warning Kyle. I appreciate it. I now know what I have to do. I will back up everything, and format the C drive and then reinstall my applications on both drives. Is it neccessary to uninstall the applications on the D drive though, or can I just reinstall them over the existing ones? Also, is it best to just format both drives, then put everything back the way I had it? >From: Kyle Elmblade <[log in to unmask]> >Reply-To: PCBUILD - Personal Computer Hardware discussion List ><[log in to unmask]> >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: Re: [PCBUILD] Formatting 1 of 2 Drives >Date: Tue, 18 Dec 2001 22:18:34 -0800 > >Hey Jeff, > >Big red flags, claxons, bells, whistles! Other programs you install not >only put files in your system directory, but make entries into the >registry. >And, some may even have sneaked folders and files into your c:\program >files >directory without you knowing it, which could cause even more havoc. > >Typically, if you want to reinstall your OS, you're looking at reinstalling >all your applications as well. The only exception to this is if you are >attempting what's called a "refresh install", which is essentially >installing the same OS over the top of itself (i.e. running the Windows 98 >setup on a machine that was currently running Windows 98). This type of >install can sometimes repair .dll's or a corrupt registry, but I've never >had any smashing success with it. > >I hate to rain on your parade, but I don't think you are going to get away >with the new OS install with out reinstalling your current applications. >If >another lister has an ace up there sleeve that might work, I would be >greatly interested in hearing it. > >Good luck! > >Kyle Elmblade >Distinct Computer Solutions >Sales - Upgrades - Training - Consulting >[log in to unmask] >"A closed mouth gathers no foot" > >From: "Jeff Allen" <[log in to unmask]> >Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2001 8:14 PM >Subject: [PCBUILD] Formatting 1 of 2 Drives > > > > Hey...I'm hoping perhaps one of you can help me out. I have 2 hard >drives. >C > > & D. C houses my OS, Windows 98. I want to format drive C but I am >concerned > > that doing so will affect programs on drive D as well, because some of >these > > programs automatically installs files in the SYSTEM folder in drive C. >Would > > it be enough to back up the SYSTEM folder, format drive C, reinstall >Windows > > and then put back the SYSTEM folder? Any suggestions how to handle this? > > Thanks. > > > > Jeff > > Visit our website regularly for FAQs, > articles, how-to's, tech tips and much more > http://freepctech.com _________________________________________________________________ Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com Visit our website regularly for FAQs, articles, how-to's, tech tips and much more http://freepctech.com