Backing up a pc before format

T

Tweak

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Garyvdh said:
Preparing for a re-format and re-installation by backing up your drivers and keys!

A) Back up your Old Registry

1) Click on the Start Button and choose run
2) type regedit.exe and press enter to run the Registry Editor
3) When it is open scroll all the way to the top of the tree and select "My Computer"
4) Now click on the File Menu and choose "export"
5) Export the entire registry twice, once as a TXT file and once as a REG file.
6) Give it name like regbackup.reg and regbackup.txt
7) Move those files to a backup drive or burn to a CD (Can be up to 100 MB depending on how many programs you have installed).

NOTE: You can actually browse through your Registry looking for program keys by browsing these two folders... You might find a lot of installation keys by looking in each folder for all the software you have installed. Do NOT change anything you see there!!!! Just copy and paste the keys or back up the REG files.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER / SOFTWARE or...
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE / SOFTWARE

B) Back up your Software Keys and Windows Activation Files...
(You can use one of these FREE programs or ALL of these programs)
NOTE: Some of these programs might be flagged as malware or spyware by your Anti-Virus because they reveal system passwords and keys. Don't worry they are safe to use for your personal use and you can safely add them to your anti-virus "exception list". Obviously you should guard the password and key information in a safe place.
Some of these programs do more than others. They all have their benefits. Read more about them here... and find links to download them!
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/productkeysactivation/tp/topkeyfinder.htm

1) Magic Jellybean Key Finder...
2) WinKeyFinder...
3) RockXP
4) KeyFinder Pro
5) KeyFinder Thing
6) WinGuggle

C) Backup Your System Drivers
These FREE programs will list and back-up (and restore) system drivers. Useful to do, even if you plan on installing FRESH drivers. It is good to have a record of all the drivers you had installed before for the off-chance that you cannot locate a driver again after re-installing! You can use one or both of these programs!

1) Double Driver...
http://boozet.org/dd.htm
2) DriverMax
http://www.innovative-sol.com/drivermax/

D) Don't forget to back-up your User Files as well. Check this list to make sure you have not missed anything...

1) My Documents Folder (including Docs, Pics, Vids etc.)
2) Shared Documents Folder
3) Your e-mail (Outlook or Outlook Express... etc.)
4) Your program User Files (eg. TurboCash, Quicken, AutoCAD, etc.)
5) Your Downloads folder or wherever you keep your Archives.
6) Your Firefox Profile...
C:/Documents and Settings/{User Name}/Application Data/Mozilla/Firefox/Profiles/...
Your Profile name will look something like "k13xy5k6.default" and that folder contains all your extensions, passwords, bookmarks, etc.

Good Luck! :)
Click to expand...

This is a good tutorial for me but I find that WinKeyFinder.com doesn't work..
(I downloaded the version from softpedia and find it to be totally inaccurate =\)

The drivers I backed up worked but my Printer driver wanted additional drivers that the application didn't back up for me(the recommended drivers to back up was not enough)
Luckily I had these drivers on hand..

but it was overall 70% successful.

What are your opinions on this subject, what do you back up before a format?
Are most of the applications described in this tutorial trustworthy/safe?

Thanks
 
are you saying that you want to format & reinstall os on the same hardware?
surely the point of reinstalling is to clear your system of registry and file system detritus?
why would you want to bring this back to the new os?
if you're installing on fresh hardware, i don't see how retaining drivers and reg tree entries is a good option...
the best option for me is always to use portable apps as much as possible.
 
I have to format the pc because it has been corrupted by a virus and is preventing me from installing new drivers/software.
 
Tweak said:
This is a good tutorial for me but I find that WinKeyFinder.com doesn't work..
(I downloaded the version from softpedia and find it to be totally inaccurate =\)

The drivers I backed up worked but my Printer driver wanted additional drivers that the application didn't back up for me(the recommended drivers to back up was not enough)
Luckily I had these drivers on hand..

but it was overall 70% successful.

What are your opinions on this subject, what do you back up before a format?
Are most of the applications described in this tutorial trustworthy/safe?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Ja, I had the same experience.... it was not a perfect transition to the new format... as you say only about 70%

But I prefer to grab the latest drivers after I have done a re-install anyway.

And make sure you save your Windows key in a VERY safe place.
 
Also prefer a fully fresh install.

Registry stuff not needed unless you have lost cd keys and stuff.
 
I don't like that way of doing things.

1. Download LATEST drivers from chipset manufacturers site.
2. Download latest Antivirus & firewall
3. Backup your personal data like pics, videos, documents, bookmarks, mail etc. Usually involves moving contents of MyDocuments folder and mail folder.
4. Disconnect PC from network and format & install new OS followed by Anitvirus, Firewall & drivers. Reconnect LAN cable and install additional software.

CD keys etc I keep stored in a text file on my backup drives as well as a copy on google mail.

Wtf would you like to bring your old baggage across to a new install seeing it could be the cause of your problem anyway?

Oh, how the hell did you manage to get infected with a virus in the first place?
 
Last edited:
It wasn't me that was infected it was a co worker who browsed for porn

Nuff said? :D
Edit: im not kidding..
 
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