XPost: comp.os.ms-windows.misc, alt.windows95, alt.windows98   
   From: Paul@fanman.commark.freeserve.co.uk   
      
   On Fri, 07 Nov 2003 23:05:36 -0600, me@privacy.net wrote:   
   >   
   >Been there, done that.  (See the thread in this NG at "MEMSYS.CPL/CDEX   
   >PROBLEM--LONG"--you may have to do search in Google Groups if your news   
   >server doesn't have the articles any more.)   
   >   
   >Shep posted several suggestions there, and referred me to a page of his   
   >that talked about repair installs vs. fresh installs.  I tried the   
   >repair install, and it didn't help--left too much garbage around.   
   >   
   >His suggestions re: fresh install were essentially: save some specific   
   >folders from within your Windows directory.  These folders don't contain   
   >program or executable elements.  Rather, they contain user information   
   >which, if you save them, you won't have to reinstall all your   
   >applications, unless you WANT to.  I believe the folders were: All   
   >Users, Application Data, Desktop, Favorites, Local settings, Profiles,   
   >SendTo, and Start Menu--particularly this one, to avoid reinstalling   
   >apps.  Then, you can delete your Windows folder, and do a fresh install   
   >of Windows.  Once done, copy the saved folders back to Windows   
   >(overlaying any created during your install) and your system looks like   
   >it did before, but is clean!   
   >   
   >Your concern about drivers is well founded.  There is a little freeware   
   >program called WinDriver Backup (I think) that can save all your   
   >drivers, to be restored after a new install.  BUT, if your system has   
   >been around for a while (as was mine) you are well advised to go load   
   >NEW drivers for your more critical hardware, such as the video card and   
   >sound card, also any unique hardware you might have.  As pointed out by   
   >another poster, mouse and CD-ROM drivers from Windows will work for the   
   >most part (once again, any unique hardware such as an optical/wheel   
   >mouse or CD burner will require the maker's drivers/software).   
   >   
   >Now, I did a wipe clean format and reinstall of W98FE in a bit over 2   
   >Gig on a 3.5 Gig partition on a 5 Gig drive.  I still have almost 1.4   
   >Gig spare room!  I had some of my apps on other partitions, however.   
   >But, things such as Windows, IE, OE, Netscape, Mozilla, Winamp, Winzip,   
   >Irfanview, software for my CD burner, Spybot, Norton AV, and apps for my   
   >scanner and digital camera are all on the 2 Gig C:\ drive.   
   >   
   >Sorry about the long answer, but what you want to do IS possible.  You   
   >might even consider Win98Lite--I used their free package, and put W98FE   
   >on an 800 MB drive.  No apps much, but it ran Netscape and a dialup   
   >connection!   
   >   
   >Hope this helps.   
   >   
   >Lakeside   
      
   DaveC - I would certainly recommend Windows 98Lite if you have limited   
   space on the drive, and it is worth purchasing. You get the oportunity   
   to remove a LOT of the rubbish which is loaded with Win98 as standard.   
      
   In addition, I would recommend that whichever version of the OS you   
   intall, you copy all of the additional drivers you use, to a folder on   
   the hard drive, but NOT inside the windows folder. It makes things   
   much easier if you decide to re-install windows at any time.   
      
      
      
   Fanman Uk.   
      
   To reply by email remove the "fanman."   
      
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