I want to reformat on c drive to do a clean install of XP, but I am cautious about this, because there are programs on it I want to keep. 1. Can I move the executables to my D: and they still work 2. If I later try and partition my d: so linux can run on one half will it be effected by instaling XP (my friend says to unhoook the d: 3. I have a e: which is a system restore type hard drive will it be erased when I format my c:

If you do clean install, you will have to have the original program disk to reinstall the program, alot of info is in the registry when you install the program, you cannot just copy the *.exe.

okay I understand the moving of executables now, BUT how can i ghost some of my programs say ones that came on my PC and I didnt get a disk for it Also the other questions, will installing XP in a clean install on my c: affect my d:drive

Lets say that you have two drive, C and D (or partition as C and D). When you install the software and it asks you where you want to install it (note: not all software will let you choose which drive to install into, it only go to C), if you choose the D drive, the registry will record the info and will point to the D drive for info it needs to launch the program. When you install XP, it will not have any ref to the D drive in the registry to launch the program. You can ghost the drive using symantec ghost program. you may want to the win xp upgrade install instead, but you are better off with clean install but then you will not have the program you want.

Hello, I wish just to clarify a few things: - the executable file of a program is starting the program but it's not alone. It uses also other additional files and also need the data written in Registry(Registry entries). You know that corrupt Regitry data may stop the program to work. Therefore you cannot just back up a specific program now and just put it in a fresh installed XP after:-( -you cannot "ghost" programs or folders or...just whole partition(s) or whole disk(s) -a partition is also called drive and this is for a good reason: it's like a separate hard drive, so you can formate a partition without afect other partition(s) in any way. - a clean install is a clean install : a)formate the partition where your Win98SE is installed b)install XP in DOS mode (for further "howto" details, please drop me a message) regards Stefan

Hi Angie, budm, Stefan, hi everyone "1. Can I move the executables to my D: and they still work" It's already mentioned above, no you can't. :-( "2. If I later try and partition my d: so linux can run on one half will it be effected by instaling XP (my friend says to unhoook the d:" Assuming your D: is a separate hard disk, your friend is probably right. I'm unfamiliar with WinXP and Linux but suspect that you'll be needing a bootmanager to switch between the two OS's on boot. "3. I have a e: which is a system restore type hard drive will it be erased when I format my c:" Your E: is either a other partition on the same disk, or it's a separate hard disk and won't be erased as long as you enter the format command properly to format your C: drive. Stefan, I'll assume you meant: -you cannot "ghost" programs or folders or...only entire partition(s) or entire disk(s) Greetz from The Netherlands, The Count

Hello The Count, hello everyone, You're perfectly right, so I rectify : instead of : -you cannot "ghost" programs or folders or...just whole partition(s) or whole disk(s) should be: -you cannot "ghost"+AKA- just programs or folders. Only the whole+AKA- partition(s) / disk(s). In your case, you can only create a Norton Ghost image of your C: drive(partition), where your actual Win98SE+AKA- is. regards Stefan +AKA- +AKA-