Starting the computer from fresh...?

I only have experience reformating a computer completely from scratch. I delete the partition and reinstall the OS. Voila. Simple, but everything is lost.
This time…I have an "E" partion that is just files(and it's full), so I can leave that alone right?
But my "C" drive that I want to install a fresh OS onto has a ton of music on it. How do I transfer them?
I know I can put our pictures onto disc no problem using nero.
I wouldn't mind saving my bookmarks list. How?
I can just look up and reinstall programs as I need them in the future…I don't feel the need to transfer those necassarily.

Also…just how touchy is Microsoft now about OS product keys? I just did a fresh install on my Sister-in-laws comp with her legit XP-Home and during the updates they do a bunch of verifying now regarding the Key…..will I be ok to use her XP and key # on my comp without a problem? Like is MS not allowing even two comps to share a product key or is not until there are a few or a bunch of people sharing the same key that they deny it for updates?

Thx:)

Can the music fit on the the 2nd partition? If so, just giv'er and copy it over. If not, burn it them onto a Data cd/dvd. Bookmarks, more or less the same thing. On XP. C: [HTML_REMOVED] documents and settings [HTML_REMOVED] *user_name [HTML_REMOVED] favourites [HTML_REMOVED] voila, should all be there. You can just copy the favourites folder for later. As for reinstalling on the partitioned drive, you can delete a certain partition with your window's XP cd and just reformat/reinstall on that individual partition. Just make sure you "boot with cd rom" from dos, and shove your XP cd before you restart.

As for microsoft, install it, try to register it, when it fails, call the toll free number, say you had to reinstall, tell them you've only installed the operating system on one computer, and they'll give you a number to put right into the "telephone activation" box. It's a little annoying since you're calling some call centre overseas, but there should be no problems…

Good luck.

Microsoft keeps a list of hardware items that it associates with a key, you can't use the same license key on two computers and then get updates. Only way around is to use a corporate license key that's valid. Or you could pay $100 and buy a legal copy.

As for your files, copy whatever files you can from your C: drive to your E: drive. If there isn't enough room, you could try making your E: drive a compressed drive and see if that gives you enough room. If not, you'll have to copy the files to a CD/DVD, or to an external drive (since external drives are now pretty cheap, it's actually a good idea to have an external drive for backup).

My 'E' partition is 60G and full…my Music file in my 'C' drive is 15G worth.
I know nothing about compression…but even if I figure that out(suggestions?)…do you think the it'd make room to move over the 15G's?

I've used a corporate XP-Pro for the past couple yrs but have only reinstalled it twice in that time. It was only when I went to use it on my sisterinlaws comp that I found out it wouldn't update.
I use Firefox exclusively. All I've ever done is install the OS, update whatever is ready that day from MS, and then never click IE again:)

If your E: drive is full of MP3s and videos, you won't get any space savings by compressing it.

An option is to repartition your hard disk, giving the E: drive more room. An application like Partition Magic will do this on the fly.

Microsoft keeps a list of hardware items that it associates with a key, you can't use the same license key on two computers and then get updates. Only way around is to use a corporate license key that's valid. Or you could pay $100 and buy a legal copy.

Done it… many times… Maybe they just don't care?

You were able to activate many times?

Ditto. Did it at least 10 times with my test/gaming system. Changing motherboards, changing graphics cards, changing hard drives. It hasn't been the same system half the time. I just tell them that something blew up, needed to be replaced, then they are like OK, here is your code. Thank you. Come again.

Partition Magic

Thx..sounds interesting. I was going to ask about that actually…was wondering if I could keep my E: drive but make it bigger by stealing from the C: drive.

You can definitely do that if your E: drive is physically next to your C: drive. In other words, if you have one drive with two partitions, C: and E:, it can be done. With PM, it's quick and painless. There are other applications similar to it, such as Partition Manager.

wat mp 3 do u have? i fits an ipod, put it in disk mode then put te songs on a files, then u can transfer them back on when u reinstall.

:lol:

Hey!! u siged me! lol!

It was tight, and many tough decisions were made on what porn I could delete…but I managed to make room on my E: and transfer what I needed off my C: :lol:

iPod's can hold 15 Gee Bee's? sweet.