software freezes when installing

[kendall]

If you haven't already re-formatted your system, one other last-ditch option is to run System File Checker. Type Start, Run, then "SFC /scannow" (without the quotes). You will need your Windows CD. If you are not familiar with System File Checker, then please do some research on Google.

[systemcrash]

Originally Posted by D4RK_4NG3L

I Also would recommend that you try Revo Uninstaller (click name to go to revo website) in addition to the cleanup utility he suggested, I use both routinely when cleaning up clients pc's after user and hardware created disasters.

im back up and running.. i had revo installed and all it got to was the 3rd step. using the built in uninstaller.. but thats were i had the problem every uninstaller for every program in my system would not load from anywere. Not revo, or add and remove programs, or when i found them in the C:\program file and hit the uninstall supplyed... I went to the start menu and typed SFC /scannow it loaded up ran and when it finished it dissapered.. not confimation that everything was ok and nothing sayig. "what a mess you created"!! so to speak :-)

There was a problem with my disk that was supplied to me with my computer to. my original plan was to stream SP3 updates onto it. but when i put it into the drive it loaded up empty.. i went to folder options to show all file including system files but nothing worked.

So i downloaded SP3 and put the .exe onto a blank disk..

then i put the cd supplied to me with my computer into the drive and rebooted my system. it loaded up and restored EVERYTHING..
It even removed the parition i made in the drive. so i no its not a normal disk with just the operating system on it.

so after the restore i put in the cd with the SP3.exe and installed. then used ubcd4win to partition my drive into 4.
For -Windows,- my programs, -my documents, -and swap file usage/browser cache

i installed the back up of my programs i had made before my computer flaked out on me.

And i am now installing the 47 update for sp3.

Then i am going to image the 3 important partitions.

I only just figured out though that its best to install the firewall and antivirus to the main partition. im not sure baout firefox or thunderird though.


I do need some different advice though.. when i create a image of my main partition will it also image the operating system? can i or should i make a image of my XP operating system..
since the only cd i have at the moment will reboot my computer to (out of the factory made) theat was 6 years ago...

[Sope]

Originally Posted by systemcrash

I do need some different advice though.. when i create a image of my main partition will it also image the operating system? can i or should i make a image of my XP operating system..
since the only cd i have at the moment will reboot my computer to (out of the factory made) theat was 6 years ago...

Personally I would create a full backup image of the complete HDD including all partitions as soon as you have all your key programs installed, your personal files in place, your OS set up exactly as you want it and everything fully up to date.
Just prior to creating the image I would clean up with CCleaner (not the registry tool though), and defragment the HDD.

[Sope]

To completely answer your question, I should have added that by taking an image of your complete HDD including all partitions, you will indeed be backing up your entire OS. By doing this you will have a default image of your entire system which you can use rather than have to do another complete re-install in future, if needed. Obviously as time goes on this image will become outdated but will still be a much more recent point to revert to than a clean install would be.

After this first image is created you would then only have to concentrate on making backups of your "My Documents" partition, and any other personal files, such as emails, which may still be located elsewhere (you could move these too).

Personally, I make images of my entire HDD on a regular basis so that I can revert back to a more recent setup if necessary, but it's nice to keep the original first image if you ever feel the need to start afresh.

You also need to remember that by separating your program files from the OS partition you cannot simply recover the OS partition alone without taking into account the fact that programs installed after the image was taken may now have broken pathways, in which case they would need to be reinstalled.

[systemcrash]

Originally Posted by Sope

You also need to remember that by separating your program files from the OS partition you cannot simply recover the OS partition alone without taking into account the fact that programs installed after the image was taken may now have broken pathways, in which case they would need to be reinstalled.

Well i keep all the program install on a usb stick and overwrite the old ones when updates are released. so by keeping them seperate i can install them one by one in case it was one of them that causes me to recover again.. So that isnt a big problem.

But what if i take a image of my partition with the programs. if i use that image would all my installs work ok?

Its just the firewall and antivirus i need to keep on the main partition right?

[Sope]

Originally Posted by systemcrash

But what if i take a image of my partition with the programs. if i use that image would all my installs work ok?

Yes, it's preferable to take backup images of all your partitions, the easiest way being to image the whole HDD in one go. If you then need to recover/overwrite your OS ("Windows") partition you could recover/overwrite the matching "programs" partition at the same time (and vice versa). Basically, your OS and your installed programs are closely linked, so IMO it's best/easiest to consider the "Windows" partition and the "programs" partition as one for backup and recovery purposes.

Originally Posted by systemcrash

Its just the firewall and antivirus i need to keep on the main partition right?

I don't know if some security apps must be installed on the same partition as the OS in order for them to function correctly, maybe someone else can comment on this? Also I would imagine that if any program that starts up with the OS is installed on a separate partition it would increase boot times a little.

Personally I've chosen to partition my XP HDD as follows :-

C: OS and Program Files
E: Temp folder, Temporary internet files, Opera cache, Firefox cache, Sandboxie default sandbox
F: My Documents
G: PC Games, large video files, freeware program installers, etc.

My swap partition is on the first partition of a second HDD

[systemcrash]

Hi sope. i need more advice on backing up my system. For the best part of a day i have ruined Four disks trying to make a image.. I dont have a external HDD to back up to so im trying to make the image on disk..

Im using macrium eflect to make the image.

Because i cant save the image on a partition that is going to be imaged im trying to save it to a 4.7GB DVD disk. i left it alll on automatic and it failed.

I went into options and then chose the second option and wrote the size of the dvd disk that the image had to fit on..

it still said that the image was to big.

so i tryed again, told it the size of the dvd disk but also told it to do a high compression andit still said it was to big..

If i cant get it to work do i have to make a image of 2 partions on one disk and the other 2 on another disk? I would like just one restore the that will back up all of them.

[Sope]

Originally Posted by systemcrash

Hi sope. i need more advice on backing up my system.

Im using macrium eflect to make the image.

Sorry, I've no experience with Macrium Reflect. (I use Acronis)

I would guess that your "Windows" partition alone would probably be too large to fit on a single DVD, even when compressed. In any case, I would be concerned that using high compression combined with burning the image straight to DVD would give a high chance that the image would be corrupted during the process.

IMO the best/easiest way to store disk images is on an external hard drive, but if this is not an option for you, then maybe you could focus on just saving regular backups of your personal files to DVD (which, of course, are the most important things).

If you have a large enough HDD you could consider creating an image of your "Windows" partition on one of the other partitions - this may be useful if your OS somehow gets messed up but obviously would be of no use in the event of HDD failure.

Maybe someone with practical knowledge of Macrium Reflect can be more helpful.

[systemcrash]

Hi all thanks for all your advice. My computers up and runnig with no problems, as for backing up i have made idividual images of my partitions to restore from, the C drive il to split and put onto 2 disks, I dont no if that'l work.

im in the midst of getting another hdd to restore onto.
but when i back up to it i dnt no what i'l do with all the free space.

im gonna open a new thread with regard to splitting a image in the software section to get more advice.

But thanks for all the help