My computer has become sluggish and messy so I have decided to completely reinstall windows and format my hardrive.(I have my files backed up)I know how to do this but I would like to keep my uTorrent, iTunes and Firefox intact. Is this possible and if so how ? Thanks
simple answer.. you can't.. itunes is restricted and will only keep stuff that you download on that particular install.. UNLESS you rip out the drm and save them in a clean format (stacks of guides for that.. but itunes is shit anyway.. I won't go near it) µtorrent?.. it's a free program.. just install it again.. firefox.. find the "!default" directory .. it's usually in documents and settings (what a retarded name for /usr)>my docs/application data/firefox/default .. just back the whole directory up.. that'll save your bookmarks and passwords and stuff. OR .. there is another very cool way to do a clean reinstall without having to put everything on another drive while you let moron os (sorry.. windoze) clean install.. here goes.. this is quick and easy so ears on Get yourself puppy linux http://puppylinux.org/main/Download Latest Release.htm burn it on a cd after finished let the computer reboot.. set to boot from cd forst follow the menu.. dead simple.. shouldn't be any problems. soon as you get to a desktop.. see your hdd? .. at the bottom of the screen sda1/2/3 etc.. left click it and it ONCE (puppy is one click.. not bad habit 2 click) will mount it... you can check your files if you like.. I just open the directory/location see the eye in the window toolbar? .. right click ONCE on it to show hidden files you should see your full file tree.. right click somewhere empty and from the drop down menu select "new>directory" .. may be called folder these days.. make one... call it something like "windoze old" now holding down the left button select ALL the other files and folders and drag them over the new one you just made.. little box will pop up saying "copy here" "move here" etc.. you want "move here" almost instantly you will have them all moved..all your data.. all your files.. everything backed up.. shutdown .. usual method.. button bottom left brings up a menu.. remove cd (no need to save.. honest.. it will ask but theres no need) Now you can reinstall windoze to the clean C: .. just DO NOT let windoze format the drive .. theres no need.. it's a clean install.. once you are done you can use puppy to put everything back and discard what you don't need. r not as the case may be.. you can use windoze for this.. but when it comes to moving stuff around and seeing what is really there the linux will show you hidden files and all kinds of garbage windoze leaves about without hiding it.. seat of your pants flying.. don't forget.. if you say "delete" with linux.. it deletes.. it doesn't store 3 million backups of it "just in case" there you go.. single hdd reinstall of windoze without headaches.
For ff install mozbackup For itunes folder & utorrent downloads use an imaging program like macrium reflect (free) or acronis 11,you will then be able to select single files or folders or all of c & restore any or all back to whatever location,or check for an itunes instruction if any on how to recover settings & data warning: drop n drag of utorrent downloads in progress can cause corruption to those files which is why i say image them
restoring "backups" like that also brings the problems i.e. slowdown.. which prompted the reinstall in the first place
it's not necessary to restore all of c which you say is slow you can select single files or folders to restore so reinstall itunes then restore over the top with any luck it'll restore your settings,your assuming your slow down is software related if that's the case you need to look at startup items however hardware needs looking at as well including placing pagefile on a slave drive instead of inside C etc,etc This is a good time to start making backup image files since you'll be reformatting,you can create a base image to restore to it'll save time next time here's a basic idea of how i go about it however it's like everything else you need two of each & don't rely on just one in other words you need to place them on two storage devices 1st image:-new install of windows,add nero 10 & cyberlink & acronis 11,add a few more minor software like ff & opera ,avira & comodo firewall,anydvd,dvdfab 8 etc no ms updates at this point,this is image is your base & pretty much your reformat & install as tho you had just used a window disc,the diff being it already comes preloaded & ready to go in less than 30mins 2nd image:add some ms updates avoiding .NET 2 & 3 SP1 instead install security updates perhaps add wmp 11 & IE8 & some hardware updates 3rd image:-add more 3rd party & some more ms updates 4th image:add everything else paying close attention to installing most used software first this goes for the same with the first image 5th image and onwards are one time only & can be discarded as you run out of space,all images including the 1st don't have to be automated i prefer manaul
