Yes, I am one of those, who thought these steps were one and the same!
So I can just run my Windows XP CD and it will reload the program correcting any errors I may have caused over the years to the operating system? That would be wonderful if it was that simple :bigggrin:
Do you have a program called "Picture It" from Microsoft Corp.
If so, do you have the disc to re-install? Other possible suspect - do you have a program caled dreamweaver?
If all else fails we can probably just make these hidden files so that they are out of sight, out of mind......
I removed the program Microsoft Picture It as someone else previously suggested. Still have Dreamweaver. Too in my original image posted I had cropped out 99.5% of existing programs on my PC.
My option now is to move each "extra", one by one into a special folder and over time to see how it effects each and every program on my pc. Which on reflection will be extremely tedious and likely take eons to detect any results.
At this point I feel either reformatting my pc or reinstalling Windows XP needs to be done to fully fix this along with other minor things. However the more I research and read on these two processes either option appears to be very complicated and precarious due my lack of technical knowledge and skills. Even if I have a professional do it what I've read things could be just as screwed up. And as my pc is the #1 tool for my business/my income doing anything that would jeopardize my pc operating is very very scary!
So I'll plug along as is I guess, as my pc is getting the job done!
I hear what you're saying, no worries.....
If it is just these files being visible in the programs folder, I wouldn't worry about it too much. Whatever program they are attached to knows where to find the files it needs and that is all that matters.
If you ever want to refresh your computer with a clean install get out a couple of sheets of paper and a pen and start by writing a lot of stuff down...i.e. the programs you have that you want to reinstall later, your devices that may require drivers, where your important files are located etc......it seems daunting at first but once youv'e done it once or twice it starts to get quite easy....it's all about planning.
First you need installation disks or installation files for the programs you want to reinstall. Next you need to make sure you know what devices you are going to need drivers for (XP has most drivers built into the operating system and almost anything else can be downloaded later) your printer, scanner and any other peripherals would have come with a disk of drivers especially for them, but again they can be found on the web.
Next, organise your files into easy to understand folders, anything related to pictures put into "My Pictures" folder, anything related to Music into "My Music" folder and so on and so on. Don't worry you can spread them all out again later after the reinstallation........
Lastly, dont forget we need to save some important files for your email and internet setup...a few basic steps now will make setting up your email & internet accounts so much easier later.
Also, do you have a DVD burner, an additional hard drive or external hard drive handy? You need to decide your most reliable and simplistic method of backing up your important data...if you need help with the whole process let us know.........:bigggrin:
That's where I excel...in keeping things! Even my old Windows 98 pc & discs!
Speaking of which I currently use cd's for storage/back up, could I use the hard drive from my old Compaq Windows 98 pc for an additional internal hard drive in my current Dell Windows XP pc? Or are pre-installed hard drives only compatible with the pre-installed O/S?
I know it seems I'm getting ahead of myself but I need to be prepared & understand as much as possible.
1. After organizing and cleaning my current documents/programs etc. as you described what is the next step?
2. How does the hard drive get fully erased/deleted, totally cleaned out or whatever the term is? Or does it? I assume one just doesn't stick the O/S Windows XP discs in and run them?
A hard drive from another computer can be used in another computer usually without any problems as a secondary drive (or what is also reffered to as a "slave"). Your primary drive that you boot Windows XP from will be your primary drive (or "master").
A little bit of preparation needs to be done before you put the second hard drive in, however you don't neccesarily have to wipe the drive clean to use it as a secondary drive. If you don't need any of the information stored on the secondary drive I would recommend wiping it clean.
To wipe it clean you can use third party software or you can do a basic "format" of the drive. The easiest option is to format the drive, it basically just means that your hard drive will have a small amount of space that is not accessible (and we're only talking a few megabytes)......Another reason to format the drive is that Windows98 ran on a filing system calles FAT32. Since then Microsoft has developed a different type of filing system called NTFS. NTFS is superior to FAT32, it is also not recommended to use FAT32 with Windows XP. Therefore, in the process of formatting the secondary hard drive we can change the filing system to NTFS.....
If you are keen to give it a try, you need to open up your box and ground yourself (just touch the metal part of the box for a couple of seconds to release any static electricity from your body). Now look at the ribbon that goes into the back of your current drive, that ribbon should have another section of ribbon that has an empty hard drive connection on the end of it. If so this is where your secondary hard drive can be attached.
However before you go and attach your second hard drive, we need to ensure that the "jumper settings" are in the right position. The jumper settings are controlled by a tiny plastic plug on the back of the hard drive (right next to where the ribbon slots in). Different drives require this tiny plug to be in certain positions depending on whether the drive is being used as a "master" or a "slave". This tiny piece of plastic is vital, as it basically tells the computer on start up exactly what to do with the different hard drives. Overlooking this step or getting it wrong will cause headaches, nothing drastic it just causes a lot of mucking around.....
If you are keen to do this, look on the top of the second hard drive. It should have information about the jumper settings....if you like, post a picture of what it looks like and I will try to explain where the jumper needs to go. Aso, if you could ascertain what type of drive your current drive is (i.e manufacturers name and the code) that will be handy. We also need to make sure the jumper settings for this drive is correct in a "master"/"slave" configuration.
I will be busy with work over the next few days but I should be able to help within a day of your reply. I look forward to hearing from you.....:)
Comments
So I can just run my Windows XP CD and it will reload the program correcting any errors I may have caused over the years to the operating system? That would be wonderful if it was that simple :bigggrin:
If so, do you have the disc to re-install? Other possible suspect - do you have a program caled dreamweaver?
If all else fails we can probably just make these hidden files so that they are out of sight, out of mind......
My option now is to move each "extra", one by one into a special folder and over time to see how it effects each and every program on my pc. Which on reflection will be extremely tedious and likely take eons to detect any results.
At this point I feel either reformatting my pc or reinstalling Windows XP needs to be done to fully fix this along with other minor things. However the more I research and read on these two processes either option appears to be very complicated and precarious due my lack of technical knowledge and skills. Even if I have a professional do it what I've read things could be just as screwed up. And as my pc is the #1 tool for my business/my income doing anything that would jeopardize my pc operating is very very scary!
So I'll plug along as is I guess, as my pc is getting the job done!
If it is just these files being visible in the programs folder, I wouldn't worry about it too much. Whatever program they are attached to knows where to find the files it needs and that is all that matters.
If you ever want to refresh your computer with a clean install get out a couple of sheets of paper and a pen and start by writing a lot of stuff down...i.e. the programs you have that you want to reinstall later, your devices that may require drivers, where your important files are located etc......it seems daunting at first but once youv'e done it once or twice it starts to get quite easy....it's all about planning.
First you need installation disks or installation files for the programs you want to reinstall. Next you need to make sure you know what devices you are going to need drivers for (XP has most drivers built into the operating system and almost anything else can be downloaded later) your printer, scanner and any other peripherals would have come with a disk of drivers especially for them, but again they can be found on the web.
Next, organise your files into easy to understand folders, anything related to pictures put into "My Pictures" folder, anything related to Music into "My Music" folder and so on and so on. Don't worry you can spread them all out again later after the reinstallation........
Lastly, dont forget we need to save some important files for your email and internet setup...a few basic steps now will make setting up your email & internet accounts so much easier later.
Also, do you have a DVD burner, an additional hard drive or external hard drive handy? You need to decide your most reliable and simplistic method of backing up your important data...if you need help with the whole process let us know.........:bigggrin:
Speaking of which I currently use cd's for storage/back up, could I use the hard drive from my old Compaq Windows 98 pc for an additional internal hard drive in my current Dell Windows XP pc? Or are pre-installed hard drives only compatible with the pre-installed O/S?
I know it seems I'm getting ahead of myself but I need to be prepared & understand as much as possible.
1. After organizing and cleaning my current documents/programs etc. as you described what is the next step?
2. How does the hard drive get fully erased/deleted, totally cleaned out or whatever the term is? Or does it? I assume one just doesn't stick the O/S Windows XP discs in and run them?
A little bit of preparation needs to be done before you put the second hard drive in, however you don't neccesarily have to wipe the drive clean to use it as a secondary drive. If you don't need any of the information stored on the secondary drive I would recommend wiping it clean.
To wipe it clean you can use third party software or you can do a basic "format" of the drive. The easiest option is to format the drive, it basically just means that your hard drive will have a small amount of space that is not accessible (and we're only talking a few megabytes)......Another reason to format the drive is that Windows98 ran on a filing system calles FAT32. Since then Microsoft has developed a different type of filing system called NTFS. NTFS is superior to FAT32, it is also not recommended to use FAT32 with Windows XP. Therefore, in the process of formatting the secondary hard drive we can change the filing system to NTFS.....
If you are keen to give it a try, you need to open up your box and ground yourself (just touch the metal part of the box for a couple of seconds to release any static electricity from your body). Now look at the ribbon that goes into the back of your current drive, that ribbon should have another section of ribbon that has an empty hard drive connection on the end of it. If so this is where your secondary hard drive can be attached.
However before you go and attach your second hard drive, we need to ensure that the "jumper settings" are in the right position. The jumper settings are controlled by a tiny plastic plug on the back of the hard drive (right next to where the ribbon slots in). Different drives require this tiny plug to be in certain positions depending on whether the drive is being used as a "master" or a "slave". This tiny piece of plastic is vital, as it basically tells the computer on start up exactly what to do with the different hard drives. Overlooking this step or getting it wrong will cause headaches, nothing drastic it just causes a lot of mucking around.....
If you are keen to do this, look on the top of the second hard drive. It should have information about the jumper settings....if you like, post a picture of what it looks like and I will try to explain where the jumper needs to go. Aso, if you could ascertain what type of drive your current drive is (i.e manufacturers name and the code) that will be handy. We also need to make sure the jumper settings for this drive is correct in a "master"/"slave" configuration.
I will be busy with work over the next few days but I should be able to help within a day of your reply. I look forward to hearing from you.....:)