xp??????? will rep!!
 

are computer downstaires is unwel so we want to re install windows to start from scratch, only problem is we will loose our e mail address and all of the emails. we will also loose all of our programmes is it possible to kep the e mails and the programmes. we have an external harddrive to use. i will rep:y:

transfer al data to the external drive, then reload windows, simple as that mate

you will need all the .exe files for the programs you use or you will need to reinstall them all from wherever you got them or whichever discs they are on

i always put my program files on a disc so i have them at hand if i need to re install windows

yes! is the answer to your e-mail question. e-mail can easily be re set up. aslong as no the settings and user name password. you using outlook express or microsoft outlook? all programs could just be reinstalled again!
is it just windows thats fucked or pc? cos can do windows repair install.


i would reformat it and re install programs

not at all, program files etc what about registry settings? they are all configured when you install a program and totally re-formating it will delete registry settings.

be easier and less hassel to back-up your documents etc i can tell you where your e-mails are stored on your pc! back them up aswel, make sure note all software you installed etc, have all discs etc ready.

Double check all backed up

Then re-format the entire pc! do a fresh clean install! best way......
and if its a dell laptop by any chance there is an option to reboot it to when you first bought it! before you ever did anything on it!

nicely edited :y: lol

sort of programs you wanting to keep, if its stuff you downloaded off the net, just make a note of it and re download it, or if have the disk just re-install once put windows back on.... copying just the .exe files wont work! still need other files that run the program

thats what i meant, i keep everything i downloaded on a disc after i installed it so i dont need to worry bout losing the programs if i have to reboot windows

can some one write me out a list on how tot do the emails and the programmes are very important as its my dads accounts we have put a seved file on the harddrive but don't have the disk to intall from. repp'ed

Hey
 

Hi Mate

First off you cant backup your programs onto disk and then put them back on your PC afterwards, unfortunately i doesnt work like that. you will need to have all the original install files (.exe) files that you used to install the progs in the first place. Obviously any Windows programs will be there when you reinstall, i.e Media player, messenger etc.

If you have any other progs that did not come with Windows such as office or dreamweaver or antivirus progs to name a few then they will need to be reinstalled from the original disks after you have formatted the HD and reinstalled windows.

As for your emails, can i ask why they are stored on your PC?. I am with Yahoo so use Microsoft Outlook for emails. Emails are usually stored on one of the compaines exchange servers. What happens is outlook remembers existing emails and when you click Send/recieve it connects to the exchange server and checks for new emails, then DL's em to your pc.

Once you have reinstalled everything you just setup outlook with the same settings you have now. Click Send/Recieve and any emails in your account (all of them as you have formatted the HD) will be downloaded back to your PC.

Hope this helps

My email address is ldatlen@yahoo.co.uk if you have got any more questions or PM me.

If you need to backup files you can just buy a USB memory stick and copy them or burn them to disk. If they are just small documents then you can even attach them to emails and send em to yourself and download em back to your pc later.

sorry i vcant rep you laurie

That's not 100% strictly true.

If your e-mails are kept locally in a mail store, you won't be able to do a send and recieve to recover them.

They are stored in DBX files on the local hard drive.

They can be found in :

C:\Documents and Settings\YOUR USER NAME \Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\{YOUR USER IDENTITY (STRING OF NUMBERS AND LETTERS}\Microsoft\Outlook Express

Browse to these using your "my computer" icon (windows explorer) and copy them to your external hard drive.

When you re-install windows, you can got to outlook express and import the messages back into outlook express by going to :

File

Import

Messages

HTH

Mick


Incidentally, you may not be able to see your "local settings" folder.

To make sure you can view this go to windows explorer again and select :

Tools

Folder Options

View

(under hidden files and folders select) Show hidden files and folders

Then click ok...