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khaki
05-21-2003, 02:25 PM
okay...
it's been a while since i posted anything about this nightmare...
so...
here goes...
i really really really need to re-install my os (due to some previous act of stupidity on my part :rolleyes: )
but...
i am too chicken to just re-install w2k on top of the existing version (although i was plenty brave enough to mess it all up in the first place :rolleyes: ).
the hesitation?
i'm afraid that i will lose files (and i have no working burner right now... and i have toooooo many files to backup onto zips, disc, or even onto a server)...
AND
i'm afraid that i will lose applications (many of which have no disc for re-installation... and which i will not discuss further, due to the fact that i might incriminate myself ;) )
AND
i'm afraid that i will lose email (outlook) and all of the contact names and stuff
AND
i'm afraid that i'll mess-up my internet connection configuration (cable moden) and be completely F'd!
so...
what should i do?
should i just re-install it?
what problems might i expect?
what should i prepare for?
i really need to know what could go wrong (BEFORE it happens).
yes...
i'm being a scaredy-cat...
but i really need to get my os working properly again....
it's causing me to lose sanity at an alarming rate :eek:
any advice (preferably from an expert and/or someone who has lived through it)???
im going crazy (but not as crazy as this http://www.crazythoughts.com/ ... yet :rolleyes: )...
;) k
AdamGundry
05-21-2003, 02:54 PM
I'm no expert, but you could repartition your hard drive (check out FIPS (http://www.igd.fhg.de/~aschaefe/fips/)), reinstall what you can and then transfer files and settings across.
Cool site, but doesn't have the most important question, the answer to life, the universe and everything:
What is six times nine? 42.
Adam
First, wait till you get a CD burner and about 90 or so CDs. Then, burn all of your files, programs and your outlook express contacts, etc., onto them. Then, reinstall Windows or whatever. Then, buy a new computer because you probably won't be able to ever get online again...
That's a bit harsh but it's what happened to me... I'm not an expert, but I had a Windows 98 that got a virus, and a friend told me to just reinstall windows. OK, no problem. I reinstalled it. If I hadn't backed up all of my files, I wouldn't have them... Plus, I could never get online again. For some strange reason. The ports weren't clogged or messed up, and there was no software issue; but the COM ports we not responding. So I couldn't ever get online again.
It may be different with Windows 2000, but I would make sure that you've got a big enough check coming to buy a new computer.... Just in case. ;)
khaki
05-22-2003, 11:44 AM
Jona sweetie.... what are you trying to do to me? :eek:
the only thing you seemed to leave out was that the stress would cause me to get a great big giant zit on my nose and the people at the computer store would stare at me while i'm in line to buy a new computer :eek:
ugh...
i really didn't want to shell-out for a new burner...
but the prospect of losing my internet connection tops everything.
hasn't anyone out there re-installed w2k?
(anybody wanna try it and let me know how it goes? :) lol)
and Adam's partitioning solution also warns about backing-up files...
so that's out too.
any other nightmare scenarios out there (any success stories! :) )?
the current situation is making me miserable :(
but if i re-install and it gets worse.... ugh
there is a saying that goes something like:
"sometimes it's better to dance with the devil you know... than the one you don't"
well...
it's no fun dancing with the devil (well... unless the music is really good... and you've had a few drinks... and he drives a cool car..... :eek: OH. never mind that part. lol)
anyways....
maybe the re-install isn't the devil (i'm fooling myself, huh?)
i guess i'll wait for a success story before i try it (if any exist).
waiting miserably...
:( k
Sorry. I was just warning you what happened to me..
DaveSW
05-22-2003, 12:00 PM
Is it a laptop or tower/desktop pc? If it's a pc you could get your local pc expert to add another hard drive (2 in the same machine at the same time). That way you should be safe, so you could install the programs you have, put menu links onto the other hard drive for those you don't have, and you need only change the boot sequence to go back to all your old settings.
Or is that too technical?
khaki
05-22-2003, 12:18 PM
too technical? high and far over my head
(not a hair moved as it flew by. lol)
well.. y'see...
i got this skinny little disc that says "installation disc" (already paid for)...
and i got this little slot in my pc that accepts said disc (also already paid for)...
and i was hoping to take the already paid for skinny little disc and slip it into the already paid for little slot...
and all my troubles would go away :)
disc + slot = :)
but now that i've moved my pc down here onto the island... pc repair will end-up costing me even more than back at home!
(sometimes i just create bigger and bigger problems for myself :rolleyes: )
no pc love for me... (yet)...
:( k
havik
05-23-2003, 09:14 PM
I accidently deleted a very important file for my OS once and had to re-install the OS. I did so without thinking about my files for anything (partly because I was a very naive kid :D) but when I got everything running again, I noticed no change in my files, no data lost or no trouble connecting to the internet. Maybe I got lucky :p, so I don't recommend you do that. I'm thinking along the lines of Jona. If your not sure, you need to backup what you don't want lost. Sorry about that.
Havik
The Magus
05-25-2003, 04:51 AM
Good Morning
I am by no means an expert but .............
When you attempt to re-install you will be asked for your code number etc after which you will be given an opportunity to chose for a repair to your existing program or an chance to go for a clean install of 2000.
I would elect for the repair to see if that resolves the problem. If not you will have to go for the clean install.
If the repair works nothing will change - you certainly won't harm your OE because any messing with that changes the program but does not touch any files created by the program itself i.e your messages are held in ??.dbx files.
If you go for a clean install you will lose all the files that have been installed in the WINNT folder meaning that none of the programs that were installed after you first installed 2000 will work and you will need the discs to re-install them.
Trust this helps!!!!
Jack
The Magus
The Magus
05-25-2003, 04:53 AM
Good Morning
I am by no means an expert but .............
When you attempt to re-install you will be asked for your code number etc after which you will be given an opportunity to chose for a repair to your existing program or an chance to go for a clean install of 2000.
I would elect for the repair to see if that resolves the problem. If not you will have to go for the clean install.
If the repair works nothing will change - you certainly won't harm your OE because any messing with that changes the program but does not touch any files created by the program itself i.e your messages are held in ??.dbx files.
If you go for a clean install you will lose all the files that have been installed in the WINNT folder meaning that none of the programs that were installed after you first installed 2000 will not work and you will need the discs to re-install them.
Trust this helps!!!!
Jack
The Magus
shtickey
05-31-2003, 07:19 PM
you probably have figured this out by now, but what about renting a portable Hard drive or laptop ? when I rent photogear if you get it on Friday, the rest of the w-end is free...then you could back up the stuffs?
khalidali63
05-31-2003, 08:12 PM
If you still haven't solved it..:-)
You can use the windows disk to re-install it.
1.It will give you options for a clean install
2. repair an existing installation(don't do repair,it requires way more expertise)
Do a clean install
3.when it asks to install in the selected partion that already has an installation say yes,you do not wnat another partition.
Do not say format this partition,leave it as it is.
The windows2000 will install itself on exisiting windows.
But the problem remains ,you will lose most of your programs installations( since windows registry would lose the references to where to look for an exe to run it.)
All in all,when you want to re-install,usually you do want to re-format your drive as well so to get rid of some clutter on the disk.
And if you re-format then you will need to back up your files.
There is one choice that you might want to consider,provided that you still have enough disk space on your system.(or as suggested before get second new disk drive,installation is not that difficult,I can walk you through if you want).
Get "Partition Magic"
It allows you to create a partition on your system while running windows.Put most of your valueable data on to the new partition,and then do a clean install on the existing installation with format option.
Now here is an idea,
What you can do is copy all of the apps folders(which you think you don't have disks for) from the "Program Folder" of your current installation to the new partition.And go to regedit and try to copy registry settings for those apps to new partition.
Once you have re-installed put those folders back to new installations "Program Folder" and copy registry entries back in regedit
local-machine
current-user
I have not done exactly this but I am sure you can fool windows.I have fooled it in other occasions...:-)
Let me know...I used to have fun in recking my win OS until few yrs back Just for the heck of it .lol
khaki
06-01-2003, 03:46 PM
okay...
so I am going to go out tomorrow and buy a bunch of Zip discs for backing-up files.
therefore...
aside from my specific personal files....
what else should I be backing-up (since I can't really back-up the entire drive)?
I definitely wan't to make sure that I don't lose my Outlook email (and settings).
also...
I would like to try to see if I can save some of the apps that I don't have discs for.
How do I do that?
Just save the specific app folders that are in Program Files?
and what else (Registry or something)?
and where are these files found (the Outlook stuff and Registry or whatever)?
My PC has NO search capability (which is one of the reasons I really need to re-install the OS :rolleyes: )
And...
what about my internet connection configuration (I really can't afford to lose that).
and my bookmarks (i'll probably need a whole disc just for those! lol)
Can anyone prep me and/or give me a checklist of what I need to do to get this done?
I'm gonna do it...
but i really gotta do it right :)
I'd appreciate any help with this (I'm really nervous :( )
thank you...
;) k
hastx
06-01-2003, 04:25 PM
export your addy book as a comma separated value (.csv) in outlook - ithink tools (or maybe file) > export > wizard pops up, or (I usually use mozilla mail) which would be tools > export > save as ".ldi"
export your bookmarks as an html file. - in ie - file > import and export > wizard pops up - in mozilla - bookmarks > manage bookmarks > tools > export.
etc
you can fit those files and a heck of a lot more onto a floppy. And they will be easy to import back in after reinstall if necessary.
If your not familiar with partitioning or reinstalling, make sure you got everything backed up before you try it cause there are some tricky options.
if you choose repartitioning, Win 2k has its own disk management system that you might be able to use to repartition but if you use it...for the love of all creatures great and small...pay attention if it tells you not to reboot until editing the "boot.ini" file, or get something like partition magic which is very user friendly, much less chance of hosing it than with the freeware partition managers.
khaki
06-01-2003, 05:21 PM
I am such a sh*thead!!!!!!!
I swear that I create more trouble for myself than anything.
Can someone PLEASE tell me how I can find the Product Key for my OS?
I am such a sh*thead (it bears repeating) and I cannot find the Certificate Of Authenticity that came with my computer.
So in order to do ANYTHING with my W2000 disc.... I need the 25 character Product Key.
IS IT ANYWHERE ON THE PC WHERE I CAN GET IT?
oh... please I hope so.
Anyone?
please
:( k
hastx
06-01-2003, 05:34 PM
It is on the pc but give Belarc advisor a go.
It will give you the windows key along with a bunch of others, and give a nice printable list of all the components.
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html
*edit - forgot my manners, if you want it off the machine: run > regedit > hkey_local_machine > software > microsoft > windows > current version > product id
khaki
06-01-2003, 05:49 PM
hi hastx...
nice suggestion...
(that's pretty cool :) )
but... :(
It only gave a 20 character number...
and it needs to be 25 :(
this is what it gave me:
51873-OEM-0045023-09136
can you tell if there is something missing (i tried leading zeros... but no :( )
please help... i'm freaking-out now :(
:( k
hastx
06-01-2003, 05:55 PM
sorry, i forgot they started doing that in 2000. You can get the key off every version up to WinME.
Let me check into something else.
khaki
06-01-2003, 05:57 PM
ugh...
i tried the regedit thing and it doesn't list anything there :(
(just a file called default... which has no value)
i'm gonna throw-up :(
:( k
Khalid Ali
06-01-2003, 06:06 PM
Here is where you have your outlook files
right click on start
select Explore
in win2k it will open your account folder
(before this make sure you have set your folder settings to display hidden files an folders)
Click on Application Data
Click on Microsoft
Click on Outlook
you will find 2 files in there
archive.pst
and
outlook.pst
you do want to make a copy of each ...and once you have re-installed win2k..just import these 2 files and ur mail box will be exactly like its today..:-)
khaki
06-01-2003, 06:18 PM
my computer is very evil
the files are NOT there...
(and I have unhidden all hidden files)
the files aren't where they are supposed to be...
and I have NO search capability to find them.
my misery deepens :(
Khalid Ali
06-01-2003, 06:26 PM
sorry my fault I overlooked one folder name
the list should be like this
click on Local Settings
Click on Application Data
Click on Microsoft
Click on Outlook
you will find 2 files in there
archive.pst
and
outlook.pst
khaki
06-01-2003, 06:36 PM
yup :)
that part is resolved
but none of it matters if I can't figure out my Product Key :(
thanks Khalid :)
but still sad :( ....
:( k
hastx
06-01-2003, 06:47 PM
ok, i think in microsofts piracy paranoia they encode product keys in 2k/xp. That # you have is valid but you have to call microsoft to translate it.
I think it is intended to discourage people sharing disks or purchasing second hand disks. The 25 digit product key does not necessarily constitute a "liscense" but rather an activation code.
Ribeyed
06-01-2003, 07:05 PM
still need a product key?
khaki
06-01-2003, 11:46 PM
whew!
this girl experiences the highs and lows and ups and downs and round and rounds and yikes....
never a dull moment :rolleyes: !!!
but guess what?
never mind.... i'll just tell ya :)
whaah... whaah... whaah....
cried to Mr Wonderful on the phone (guess who? never mind... I'll just tell ya :) the b/f) ... anyway, he says "calm down... I'll be there in 3" (hours that is... it's a long way) and in less than 3... he's here!
And in less than 15 minutes... he finds the Product Key (oooohhh... i'm super embarrassed :eek: !!!)
and in less than a half-hour.... he just does the update ("shut-up.... I just drove 3 frickin hours... I'm gonna do it whether you want me to or not" he says. "ooh" I say... "okay" :rolleyes: )
me?... I sweat it out like I'm waiting for the world to end (thanks to all the horror stories from you guys :rolleyes: )...
him? .... goes to the store... buys Cuervo, Triple Sec, and Roses... and makes Texas margaritas... and we watch the update unfold like it's the MTV Music Awards or something ;)
so... much sweat and 2 Texas Margaritas later...
I'm calm....
got all my files...
got all my programs...
got my Visual InterDev back (!!!!!!!)...
got my Outlook email working properly again...
got my Windows Explorer working properly again (and search capability!)....
got a good buzz...
got my baby by my side...
and...
I got you guys who supported and held my hand while I totally freaked-out!!!
how cool is my life?
never mind... I'll just tell ya...
VERY! :)
I love you guys (seriously)!
Thank you so much!
My PC is all f'd-up now.... (drivers, hardware, and who knows what else)...
but I am soooooo happy right at this very moment that I can't stop smiling :)
(so I'll deal with the new problems when the sun comes up, I suppose)
much, much, much, much thanks to you guys (really!!!)...
you guys are the best....
and if I didn't need my last "smiley" guy for my sig... (only 10 per post, y'know)...
I'd be pasting smileys all over this post!!!
Love you guys...
;) k
Glad you got it working! I mean.. Glad you got it working! ;)
Jona