Help with clean install of XP Pro

What's up, Geeks......

Just got my SPII disk from Microsoft and I'm getting ready to take the plunge.
I still have a few questions about the install.

1. How do I split (partition) my HD without screwing up info that's already on there?
2. I have had so many probs with this machine that I just want to wipe my HD clean (format it) and start from scratch. I'd like to save certain info like IE favs, Outlook addy book and Inbox folder. I already know how to save FF fav's. I also have some progs I've purchased like Registry Mechanic, but I saved the software keys so I should be able to unlock them after DL.
3. Any other suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks again,

jtone

 

If the hdd has already been set with one large partition the the only way to split them is to delete the one and then recreate them before install.

 

@catbro6166 Thats not true, there a tools that will allow you to do a non-destructive resize of a primary partition.

@jtone

1. You can use a tool such as QtParted with the Knoppix Live CD to reduce the size of your Primary Partition and create a new partition.
WARNING: Always backup your critical data before attempted an operation of this nature.

2. Your IE Favorites are store in this location: C:\Documents and Settings\%USER%\Favorites.
NOTE: Where %USER% is the UserID you want to backup.

3.This article is old, but it should still work.
OL2000: (IMO) How to Back Up, Restore, or Move Outlook Data

4. Further advice: Backup all the data you want to save. Make sure the system is completely free of malware. Update all drivers, that includes your MoBo, and update your BIOS if necessary, before installing SP2.

If you need instructions for doing a clean install, see Post #46 from thread explorer.exe, iexplorer.exe application errors

 

Here is another free program to try:

Ranish:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=1145

 

Learn something new everyday but I have heard such things as partition magic being able to do such things but my answer is generlized from the win xp pro mcse book so of course there not going to support any third party applications. But in the future I will remember that if the question ever comes my way on partitioning without formatting.

 

That would be a true statement from a purely windows standpoint. When working with partitions it is always best to work from some form of bootable media, other than your HDD and the installed OS; so, that your are not actively using the partition you want to resize.

 

I have used E backup for backing up OE and IE stuff when I did a re-install, works very well, (link below)

http://www.inachis.com/products/

Ian

 

Thanks as always for the advice.

I have a burner, of course, so if I know where things are located, I can copy the files to disk, and replace them after the install (I've done this before). I intend to format this HD, partition it, and reinstall XP Pro, then SPII. If all looks good at that point, I'll begin reinstalling my other progs. I have a bunch of freeware and some not-freeware, but it should be relatively easy to reinstall them.

My OS has become so corrupt that I'm reluctant to try an uninstall and reinstall without formatting my HD-as long as I can reconstruct what I already have I'd feel more comfortable "erasing" my HD completely and starting from scratch. That way, any traces of weirdness should be removed (I ran into a similar prob with Windows ME; I uninstalled my OS, reinstalled it from disk, and still had problems. Next, I formatted my HD and started from scratch and it worked as well as one could expect from ME!)

I have all of my original system disks for Mobo, devices, etc so I should be able to get out of trouble. If things go terribly wrong, I can always use the laptop to get in touch with MG and figure it out from there.

I'll check out the threads you have provided and respond with any questions I might have. Otherwise, I'll either try to do this tonight, or maybe I'll chicken out and wait until Saturday.

The only BIOS upgrade for my Mobo addresses the Wilamette processor-I have a Prescott, so I probably don't need it.

Any other thoughts are always appreciated-wish me luck.

jtone