Bloory 'Puter@%$£@?'

[Bødkerman]

The CD writer thing on this box (pox) of tricks has given up and I need to save about 700MB of files plus the emails & addresses in Outlook Express in preparation for a complete clearance of the full operating system and install of XP.

What is the easiest way to do this and how do I save the contents of Outlook Express.

Everything is simple to those that know how!

Cheers

Cooperman

 

[Droopy Dick]

Spend £28 and buy a 52x CDRW????

 

[Bødkerman]

Did that last time

& that is the bloody thing that has packed up, out of warrenty and I am sick to death of messing around with her ladyships "puter".

Need to save everything as easily as possible & then drop the cpu off at a little shop adjacent to my office when we go off on holiday. He will bin everything and then do a full rebuild both software & hardware (if required).

Just to add to my current joy with all things "IT", my PDA just gave up the ghost & I lost all the addresses on that (back up on laptop in office), so I am back to good old filofax.......probably find that has been got at by some paper eating virus!!!!

Other than that things are great....been playing 'dens' in the garden with my 2 year old all afternoon & I am knackered.

Cooperman

 

[Fanum]

Unless you format the hard drive, the files will still be on the drive after you've reinstalled windoze.....

Use the files and settings wizard (assuming it's xp) and select 'files AND settings', point it at a sensible address (c:/Backups/today's date) and let it chunter away for a bit, then reinstall windows on the same partion, overwriting the old copy.

Simple.

 

[richie]

To answer the initial question. Get yourself a USB memory card, and do your back up. I don't reckon you really have 700MB to back up. Be a bit more selective. Or have you images on your disc with no CD copies...

 

[Bødkerman]

"Or have you images on your disc with no CD copies..."

You got it Richie

The cd writer won't recognise any discs, so I think it is the memory stick option, any reccomendations as to where to order from?

Cheers
Mike.

 

[Paul G (BHT)]

256MB ones HERE

512MB ones HERE

1GB ones HERE

Take your pick Mike.... fancy making Mini Cooper play dens with you at your age

 

[Bødkerman]

Dens

Honest Paul, it was his idea...but I was having so much fun I couldn't stop.

Ended up with all the dust sheets out of the shed, closely followed by bed linen, duvet covers and various towels. Cats cradle of string, rope and bamboo. We were having a great time and then "The Mummy" returned.....Oh Sh1t!, Daddy got a bollocking; even though I did point out that it wasn't my fault and Mini Cooper 'made' me do it!

Selling Mette's Mazda....a proper colour! do you want it to add to your sissy red one!

Cheers

Coops

 

[Paul G (BHT)]

Re: Dens

Selling Mette's Mazda....a proper colour! do you want it to add to your sissy red one!

Cheers

Coops

Naah, I'm on the look out for one of these now

 

[cookie]

use partition magic* to add a new partition to your HDD. back up files to new partition then do a proper clean reinstall on original partition.

in future, only keep system files on 'C' drive. put all personal stuff on new one.

or just go out & buy a new additional HDD & add that, though partition magic can be had cheaper.

 

[Bødkerman]

USB Flash Drives

Thanks for all the above Guys, couple more queries:-

How can I tell what type of USB ports I have as I am reading references to at least 2 different types (1.1 & 2) also they talk about a "Hgh speed USB, is that different?

I need to check the size of the filews (Emails & address book in Outlook Express and how to save that on the Flash drive. Reccomendations gratefully accepted.

Coops

 

[richie]

use partition magic* to add a new partition to your HDD. back up files to new partition then do a proper clean reinstall on original partition.

in future, only keep system files on 'C' drive. put all personal stuff on new one.

or just go out & buy a new additional HDD & add that, though partition magic can be had cheaper.

Is it safe to use "partition magic" to divide an existing working disk into two drives????

If so where can I download it... (I know I could do a search)

 

[Fanum]

Is it safe to use "partition magic" to divide an existing working disk into two drives????

If so where can I download it... (I know I could do a search)

Safe is a relative term........they say it is on the packet but they also say you should absolutely back up all your files and settings.

Personally I wouldn't risk it without doing that first......but in fact I'd save all settings and files, then reformat and partition the drive in dos.......far cleaner, quicker and safer and you'll end up with a way faster machine.

 

[Fanum]

PS THIS site has good step by step instructions on using fdisk if you haven't done it before...it ca be quite daunting.

 

[richie]

Ta Bill,

I know how to do it the "proper way". Just don't fancy doing that.

Why? As I have a portable PC bought with a windows XP licenced in english. These days you buy PC and pay for licences but don't get the CDS so I am a bit stuffed really.Can't reformat my PC unless I install a copy of Windows XP (which I have by the way) seeing as I will be travelling a fair bit in the future I fancy keeping the licence. I'll be using openoffice as well so I will be fairly clean.

I would really love to fdisk this drive into Two partitions but can't...

Kin bill gates

 

[cookie]

Is it safe to use "partition magic" to divide an existing working disk into two drives????

If so where can I download it... (I know I could do a search)

i've done it several times with no ill effects. fanum is right however, backing up is recommended.

after you've done reinstall of all progs & personal settings i would advise using norton ghost to back up the whole system drive onto the handy new partition & making periodic new backups too.

this does of course depend how big your drive is in the first place, hence my favouring the 2 HDD aproach in my own computers

i have absolutely no knowledge where you can download these progs. if i think of anywhere i'll PM you