How do I back up program or files before reformat my computer?

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I haven't read all the posts but the answer to the original question - " how do I back up any program or files I want if I am going to reformat my computer?" is that backing up is not sufficient.
What's needed is an "image" of the partition - which requires imaging software like Acronis, Ghost, Bootit ... The result is that after formatting the disk then restoring the image to it you get the identical setup - identical software, software keys, files, settings, weaknesses, viruses, adware or what have you.
Junja
 
Is the Install disc necessary after I reformat my computer(I don't have one for my xp/vista)? Suppose I have the install discs for my xp/vista, will it install Microsoft Office 2003 which are already in full version? I know install disc will install applications, but what application exactly it will install? someone says I need the install disc after I reformat, others say I don't, I am still a little bit confuse. Thank you
By the way, If I want to convert Microsoft Office 2003 to full version, do I have to buy the Product Key online? Is there any other sources where I can get it for free? thanks
 
Hey there adu, sorry I haven't been on this site for a little while. First off, Lookin's posts are dead on concerning Install/Restoring the operating system if you go by the route of using the discs. In reply to your last post, if you don't make an image of your drive using software such as Ghost or Acronis, and you reformat your computer, then you better have the XP/Vista install disc to re-install the operating system. If you don't have the install disc, then you'll either need to get the imaging software to make the "copy" of your hard drive to another one, otherwise, you'll find yourself purchasing a new copy of the OS. Also, the install disc for the OS is NOT the disc that will install any other software BUT the OS. It does not have Microsoft Office or any other program on them. You mention that you may have discs(more than one), if that is true, you will need to read the labels on them to see what they contain. If they say that they contain other applications such as Microsoft Office, then those are the install discs for those programs. They will say "Install program" on them if they are. And yes, if you have a TRIAL version of Office 2003 and want to upgrade to the FULL version, then you have to buy it, you can't get it for free(unless your some sort of hacker, but then, that's illegal, LOL). My advise to you is this, if your not sure what your doing with these processes, then I suggest you get a local computer tech to help you. Look in your local phone book, you be able to find someone that isn't too expensive. Going to places like Best Buy's Geek Squad will burn a big whole in your wallet, so call around to see what people would charge you.
 
if you don't make an image of your drive using software such as Ghost or Acronis, and you reformat your computer, then you better have the XP/Vista install disc to re-install the operating system.
hey, cctech, thank you for helping once again. First, I want to tell you I don't have any install discs for either of my computer. Every time I reformat my computer, I will use the recovery(restore) discs instead of doing it in the system. Since the recovery discs will re-install the OS, why do I still need the install disc? I don't understand.
 
If you have the recovery/restore discs that will be fine, just remember though, that will only restore the OS, not the other programs like Microsoft Office on your computer.
 
Should've mentioned in the last post that the recovery discs will also restore the data files as well, sorry.
 
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hi cttech, or another one of you that seems to know what you are talking about...

in reading above i have a question. i have a comp with windows 2000 now, and would like to upgrade to windows xp (i have the disc - came with my laptop). my windows 2000 computer has the full microsoft office suite (i got it from my company this way and do not have any of the discs). if i back up the whole hard drive as described above, reformat, and install windows xp, could i then restore everything that was on the computer originally - specifically microsoft office? or would i need to be using the same operating system that i was when i did the full back up?

thanks so much!
 
If you reinstall the OS, you have to reinstall the programs too (at least the big, commercial ones - small freeware programs often don't have an installer, they just run.) Be the OS 2k or xp or any other.

The alternative is to image the setup you have, lock, stock and barrel. The main use of that is to replace a complete setup - exactly as it was at the time of making the image - os, programs, data, everything.
 
Correct. An image is a package.
If you instal another OS, you have to instal each program in it.
Whether you instal on a virgin disk or over a previous installation.
 
m.erin, is the disc of XP an upgrade disc or the full version? If it's an upgrade disc, then simply do the upgrade. But I'm guessing since you're talking of reformatting the hard drive before installing, then it's the full version. If it's the full version and you need to reformat, then as junja said, you cannot put the image of the original backup overtop of an exisiting OS, it has to be a clean partition.
 
thanks!

thank you both for your responses. i didn't think it was possible, but thought i'd ask..see if there was any way around it.
 
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