Format HD, then install XP, just a bit of registry questions...

i am about to backup my hard drive, format it, and reinstall XP home edition onto it. I am wondering if there is any way to get all my old programs and running without reinstalling each and every one so that the new registry recognizes it. Basically, I want to install a new os, and have it recognize programs without installing each of them again.
Thanks in advance.

 

No.

I could go into detail about ghosting your drive, but that doesn't sound like what you want.

 

so, theres no way at all... i am disappointed. i really wanted to not have to reinstall all my programs

 

One thing you might try is partitioning your drive. I plan on doing it the next time I reinstall. You partition a space just for the OS, and a space for all your music, etc. That way you can reinstall your OS without losing all your stuff.

I'm not sure exactly what the specs are, though. Like exactly what the partition sizes shoud be. You'd still have to reinstall the progs, just not redownload them, etc.

And what A said about ghosting, if you buy a ghosting prog, you just reinstall it and it already has your machine exactly how you had it last, saving all the hassle.

 

This still does not solve the original problem. There is no way that I know of that will allow a person to avoid installing all the programs.

On the other hand, if you want to do partitions so that one is for your OS and programs, and the other is for your music, documents, pictures, etc. I would recommand (for windows XP) that you have about 25gb for the OS and programs parition if you no do run any big math, CAD, graphics program. You should have some 35gig if you run any simulation programs like matlab, solidwork, pro-e.