Computer Back-Up Help Quick

13

Comments

  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited August 2005
    I'm just curious how long it takes you guys to reinstall everything from scratch?

    With all the software and games I have (about 150 GB now, not including any data of course), it takes me about 5 hours to do a complete install of all my programs and configure my PC for optimal performance. Maybe I've just been into this business for too long - I just can't stand to sit down at a computer for 5 hours and install programs - oh and that doesn't even include the hour that it usually take me to install all the Windows updates and restart my computer 5 times during the process.

    I must be getting old...
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  • audiobliss
    audiobliss Posts: 12,518
    edited August 2005
    Somebody go back to the previous page and look at my posts (please). What're y'all's thought on that?
    George Grand wrote: »
    Jstas wrote: »
    Simple question. If you had a cool million bucks, what would you do with it?
    Wonder WTF happened to the rest of my money.
    In Use
    PS3, Yamaha CDR-HD1300, Plex, Amazon Fire TV Gen 2
    Pioneer Elite VSX-52, Parasound HCA-1000A
    Klipsch RF-82ii, RC-62ii, RS-42ii, RW-10d
    Epson 8700UB
    In Storage
    [Home Audio]
    Rotel RCD-02, Yamaha KX-W900U, Sony ST-S500ES, Denon DP-7F
    Pro-Ject Phono Box MKII, Parasound P/HP-850, ASL Wave 20 monoblocks
    Klipsch RF-35, RB-51ii
    [Car Audio]
    Pioneer Premier DEH-P860MP, Memphis 16-MCA3004, Boston Acoustic RC520
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited August 2005
    ADo you have an installation key for the XP that came on your machine?
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  • audiobliss
    audiobliss Posts: 12,518
    edited August 2005
    I hate to say that I don't. I do, however, have the Certificate and accompanying number for Microsoft Office S&T Edition 2003 Trial, Microsoft Works 7.0 w/ Money 2004 Standard, and Microsoft MSN Encarta Standard that came preloaded on my computer. But I have no reason to believe that number would be any good. (Do I?)
    George Grand wrote: »
    Jstas wrote: »
    Simple question. If you had a cool million bucks, what would you do with it?
    Wonder WTF happened to the rest of my money.
    In Use
    PS3, Yamaha CDR-HD1300, Plex, Amazon Fire TV Gen 2
    Pioneer Elite VSX-52, Parasound HCA-1000A
    Klipsch RF-82ii, RC-62ii, RS-42ii, RW-10d
    Epson 8700UB
    In Storage
    [Home Audio]
    Rotel RCD-02, Yamaha KX-W900U, Sony ST-S500ES, Denon DP-7F
    Pro-Ject Phono Box MKII, Parasound P/HP-850, ASL Wave 20 monoblocks
    Klipsch RF-35, RB-51ii
    [Car Audio]
    Pioneer Premier DEH-P860MP, Memphis 16-MCA3004, Boston Acoustic RC520
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  • audiobliss
    audiobliss Posts: 12,518
    edited August 2005
    Wait. I just remembered there's a holographic sticker with a number and what not on it on the side of my case. Would that be the number? *crosses fingers*
    George Grand wrote: »
    Jstas wrote: »
    Simple question. If you had a cool million bucks, what would you do with it?
    Wonder WTF happened to the rest of my money.
    In Use
    PS3, Yamaha CDR-HD1300, Plex, Amazon Fire TV Gen 2
    Pioneer Elite VSX-52, Parasound HCA-1000A
    Klipsch RF-82ii, RC-62ii, RS-42ii, RW-10d
    Epson 8700UB
    In Storage
    [Home Audio]
    Rotel RCD-02, Yamaha KX-W900U, Sony ST-S500ES, Denon DP-7F
    Pro-Ject Phono Box MKII, Parasound P/HP-850, ASL Wave 20 monoblocks
    Klipsch RF-35, RB-51ii
    [Car Audio]
    Pioneer Premier DEH-P860MP, Memphis 16-MCA3004, Boston Acoustic RC520
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited August 2005
    It could be, I'm not sure. Anyway, if you a serial number for Windows XP, you could get a CD from anyone and install XP on your machine using that CD, but with your serial number.

    I'd be surprised if Compaq didn't provide you with that number in some way, you may want to give them a call...
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  • audiobliss
    audiobliss Posts: 12,518
    edited August 2005
    Well, I'll see if I can't get at that sticker without unplugging everything and pulling it out of my desk. How long should the number be, if it is indeed what I'm looking for? (I assume I wouldn't want to post the actual number here.)

    Thanks
    George Grand wrote: »
    Jstas wrote: »
    Simple question. If you had a cool million bucks, what would you do with it?
    Wonder WTF happened to the rest of my money.
    In Use
    PS3, Yamaha CDR-HD1300, Plex, Amazon Fire TV Gen 2
    Pioneer Elite VSX-52, Parasound HCA-1000A
    Klipsch RF-82ii, RC-62ii, RS-42ii, RW-10d
    Epson 8700UB
    In Storage
    [Home Audio]
    Rotel RCD-02, Yamaha KX-W900U, Sony ST-S500ES, Denon DP-7F
    Pro-Ject Phono Box MKII, Parasound P/HP-850, ASL Wave 20 monoblocks
    Klipsch RF-35, RB-51ii
    [Car Audio]
    Pioneer Premier DEH-P860MP, Memphis 16-MCA3004, Boston Acoustic RC520
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited August 2005
    Here's a sample number - no it won't work for you because it's known illegal serial, basically everyone in computers know about it.

    Anyway, it'll give you an idea of what your number should look like, same layout and number of characters:

    FCKGW-RHQQ2-YXRKT-8TG6W-2B7Q8
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  • audiobliss
    audiobliss Posts: 12,518
    edited August 2005
    I haven't managed to pull out my case yet, so I don't actually have the number, but I can see that there's a sticker there, and I'm 98.99% sure it has the number on it. However, I can't find those CDs!! LOL For the life of me I can't remember where I put them. So, I guess I'm kinda back at square one, unless I accidentally run into them - in 3 years.
    George Grand wrote: »
    Jstas wrote: »
    Simple question. If you had a cool million bucks, what would you do with it?
    Wonder WTF happened to the rest of my money.
    In Use
    PS3, Yamaha CDR-HD1300, Plex, Amazon Fire TV Gen 2
    Pioneer Elite VSX-52, Parasound HCA-1000A
    Klipsch RF-82ii, RC-62ii, RS-42ii, RW-10d
    Epson 8700UB
    In Storage
    [Home Audio]
    Rotel RCD-02, Yamaha KX-W900U, Sony ST-S500ES, Denon DP-7F
    Pro-Ject Phono Box MKII, Parasound P/HP-850, ASL Wave 20 monoblocks
    Klipsch RF-35, RB-51ii
    [Car Audio]
    Pioneer Premier DEH-P860MP, Memphis 16-MCA3004, Boston Acoustic RC520
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  • CrBoy
    CrBoy Posts: 580
    edited August 2005
    Polkmaniac wrote:
    I'm just curious how long it takes you guys to reinstall everything from scratch

    it takes me about 2 hours... WinXP + SP2 plus software (photoshop, Office) plus Development Software (Java, C++... etc)... only games in my comp are NFSU 2 and Zeus
    <|>
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited August 2005
    Yeah, I think I've got about 25 games installed - at least...plus all my programming and designs software...
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  • CrBoy
    CrBoy Posts: 580
    edited August 2005
    I just to be a HardCore gamer... I don´t have time any more...
    <|>
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited August 2005
    I don't really play much anymore, maybe a few hours a month.

    I just have all my games installed because I never know what I'll in the mood for, and I've got plenty of space :)
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  • CrBoy
    CrBoy Posts: 580
    edited August 2005
    I know i´m there to...
    I´m going home now... ;)
    <|>
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  • audiobliss
    audiobliss Posts: 12,518
    edited August 2005
    Assuming I actually do find those discs (and they work), I can just go ahead and create a partition on my hard drive to back-up to, do a clean instal with the disc, and then use the number on the side of my case with that disc?
    George Grand wrote: »
    Jstas wrote: »
    Simple question. If you had a cool million bucks, what would you do with it?
    Wonder WTF happened to the rest of my money.
    In Use
    PS3, Yamaha CDR-HD1300, Plex, Amazon Fire TV Gen 2
    Pioneer Elite VSX-52, Parasound HCA-1000A
    Klipsch RF-82ii, RC-62ii, RS-42ii, RW-10d
    Epson 8700UB
    In Storage
    [Home Audio]
    Rotel RCD-02, Yamaha KX-W900U, Sony ST-S500ES, Denon DP-7F
    Pro-Ject Phono Box MKII, Parasound P/HP-850, ASL Wave 20 monoblocks
    Klipsch RF-35, RB-51ii
    [Car Audio]
    Pioneer Premier DEH-P860MP, Memphis 16-MCA3004, Boston Acoustic RC520
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  • CrBoy
    CrBoy Posts: 580
    edited August 2005
    Windows XP CD... or other CDs...?
    <|>
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited August 2005
    The whole need for you to do a clean install of Windows XP is based on the assumption that the restore disc will wipe out your partitions.

    Here's what I would do if I were you:

    Contact Compaq support and see if restoring the image you created is going to wipe out the partitions.

    If their answer is no, then just create a second partition, back up your crap, and then do the system restore thing. After you've completed the system restore, go through the add/remove programs tool and remove all the Compaq crap that you don't need and any other junk software that came with the PC. Then install all the programs that you will be using. Then grab a program like Registry Mechanic and run it - this will clean up your registry and remove references to those programs you deleted. Then, after all that, defrag your hard drive because all the adding and removing programs is going to fragment the hard drive pretty good.

    If their answer is yes, then you'll need to either backup everything on DVDs and perform the remaining steps above, or you'll need to get a copy of the Windows XP CD - it can be from anyone, even your parents of friends, as long as it's not a hacked copy - and you'll need to find your Windows XP CD Key. Then do the clean install of XP, install all your programs and any updates you need (i.e. Service Pack 2) and still defrag your drive when you get through with everything...
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  • audiobliss
    audiobliss Posts: 12,518
    edited August 2005
    Awesome, thanks. I'm going to look for that Windows XP CD I supposedly have. If I can't find it, I should be able to procure one from one of several friends. I'll just wait a while and then create a partition to back-up to and all that.

    Thanks for all the help, fellas. Greatly appreciated!
    George Grand wrote: »
    Jstas wrote: »
    Simple question. If you had a cool million bucks, what would you do with it?
    Wonder WTF happened to the rest of my money.
    In Use
    PS3, Yamaha CDR-HD1300, Plex, Amazon Fire TV Gen 2
    Pioneer Elite VSX-52, Parasound HCA-1000A
    Klipsch RF-82ii, RC-62ii, RS-42ii, RW-10d
    Epson 8700UB
    In Storage
    [Home Audio]
    Rotel RCD-02, Yamaha KX-W900U, Sony ST-S500ES, Denon DP-7F
    Pro-Ject Phono Box MKII, Parasound P/HP-850, ASL Wave 20 monoblocks
    Klipsch RF-35, RB-51ii
    [Car Audio]
    Pioneer Premier DEH-P860MP, Memphis 16-MCA3004, Boston Acoustic RC520
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CrBoy
    CrBoy Posts: 580
    edited August 2005
    Polkmaniac wrote:
    get a copy of the Windows XP CD - it can be from anyone, even your parents of friends, as long as it's not a hacked copy

    Why not...? :eek: :D
    <|>
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  • audiobliss
    audiobliss Posts: 12,518
    edited August 2005
    Actually, I almost asked that myself. I'm pretty sure mine is a bootleg copy. Why won't that work?
    George Grand wrote: »
    Jstas wrote: »
    Simple question. If you had a cool million bucks, what would you do with it?
    Wonder WTF happened to the rest of my money.
    In Use
    PS3, Yamaha CDR-HD1300, Plex, Amazon Fire TV Gen 2
    Pioneer Elite VSX-52, Parasound HCA-1000A
    Klipsch RF-82ii, RC-62ii, RS-42ii, RW-10d
    Epson 8700UB
    In Storage
    [Home Audio]
    Rotel RCD-02, Yamaha KX-W900U, Sony ST-S500ES, Denon DP-7F
    Pro-Ject Phono Box MKII, Parasound P/HP-850, ASL Wave 20 monoblocks
    Klipsch RF-35, RB-51ii
    [Car Audio]
    Pioneer Premier DEH-P860MP, Memphis 16-MCA3004, Boston Acoustic RC520
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CrBoy
    CrBoy Posts: 580
    edited August 2005
    It won't work 'cause you'll use a Serial Number that somebody already use to activate the WinXP... so you won't be able to activate yours...

    there are many ways to work around this protection, however all of them are illegal... :)
    <|>
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited August 2005
    If you wanna load illegal software on your machine, that's your call - I'm just not going to advocate it on a public forum.

    Also, if you do have a legitimate key, you wanna do an install from a regular XP CD, not a hacked version - because some of the fiels and stuff have been changed on the hacked version to bypass all the activation crap. I've done side-by-side comparison between a hacked and retail copy of Windows XP, and the retail version runs much better...
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  • CrBoy
    CrBoy Posts: 580
    edited August 2005
    Polkmaniac wrote:
    If you wanna load illegal software on your machine, that's your call - I'm just not going to advocate it on a public forum.

    I'm not saying I do it that way... I'm just saying it can be done... any day!
    Having a hacked copy of ANY program in you PC is correct? NO its not correct, everybody knows that...

    I have an idea... lets all switch to Unix and cut the activation crap...! :mad:
    <|>
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited August 2005
    that actually wasn't directed at you, but at audiobliss...

    you've been around computers enough to know what's cool and what's not :)

    I'm running Mandrake right now along with my WinXP OS - as soon as I get all my software to work on Linus, I'll be dumping Windows...I already use Linux about 80% of the time...
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  • CrBoy
    CrBoy Posts: 580
    edited August 2005
    You want to know why I haven't switch 100% to linux...? because the friggin Mandrake doesn't recognize my Modem (winModem :( ), so I wouldn't have internet access from my room...
    <|>
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited August 2005
    Have you tried ubuntu? It's on the Debian core and I believe has better out of the box support for a wider range of hardware.

    I still prefer Mandrake, but you may want to check out another distribution...

    Modem...dial up....what's that?
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  • CrBoy
    CrBoy Posts: 580
    edited August 2005
    Polkmaniac wrote:
    Modem...dial up....what's that?

    I know I know... :D I still live in the past... i'm too lazy to set up an account for Cable Internet or ADSL...
    <|>
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  • audiobliss
    audiobliss Posts: 12,518
    edited August 2005
    Well, I'm certainly not big into making bootleg copies or pirating songs/movies, etc. I believe in being fair and honest, most definitely. However, I 'payed' for Windows XP, you could say, in that it was bundled on my computer. Hmm. I guess I should really say pre-installed. At any rate, I've bought Windows XP. Now I want to wipe everything out and install it again. But, Compaq doesn't give you the CD with which to do this. So, I grab a friend's CD and use it, and use my serial number. What's wrong with that? I had Windows XP. I now have Windows XP. I was under serial number A. I'm still under serial number A. Only thing that's changed is that I probably don't have all those annoying programs that originally came installed on my desktop.

    I'm just missing the 'illegal/dis-honest' aspect of it.


    Please don't y'all think I'm a big advocate of ripping everybody off so I can get the best deal! :p

    EDIT - And if I just make a copy of my friend's disc, or if he makes a copy and gives it to me - now I just don't have to make the effort to borrow his.
    George Grand wrote: »
    Jstas wrote: »
    Simple question. If you had a cool million bucks, what would you do with it?
    Wonder WTF happened to the rest of my money.
    In Use
    PS3, Yamaha CDR-HD1300, Plex, Amazon Fire TV Gen 2
    Pioneer Elite VSX-52, Parasound HCA-1000A
    Klipsch RF-82ii, RC-62ii, RS-42ii, RW-10d
    Epson 8700UB
    In Storage
    [Home Audio]
    Rotel RCD-02, Yamaha KX-W900U, Sony ST-S500ES, Denon DP-7F
    Pro-Ject Phono Box MKII, Parasound P/HP-850, ASL Wave 20 monoblocks
    Klipsch RF-35, RB-51ii
    [Car Audio]
    Pioneer Premier DEH-P860MP, Memphis 16-MCA3004, Boston Acoustic RC520
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • audiobliss
    audiobliss Posts: 12,518
    edited August 2005
    CrBoy - you really, really, really need to go with cable or dsl!! We switched to cable a while back....amazing difference!!
    George Grand wrote: »
    Jstas wrote: »
    Simple question. If you had a cool million bucks, what would you do with it?
    Wonder WTF happened to the rest of my money.
    In Use
    PS3, Yamaha CDR-HD1300, Plex, Amazon Fire TV Gen 2
    Pioneer Elite VSX-52, Parasound HCA-1000A
    Klipsch RF-82ii, RC-62ii, RS-42ii, RW-10d
    Epson 8700UB
    In Storage
    [Home Audio]
    Rotel RCD-02, Yamaha KX-W900U, Sony ST-S500ES, Denon DP-7F
    Pro-Ject Phono Box MKII, Parasound P/HP-850, ASL Wave 20 monoblocks
    Klipsch RF-35, RB-51ii
    [Car Audio]
    Pioneer Premier DEH-P860MP, Memphis 16-MCA3004, Boston Acoustic RC520
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited August 2005
    If he's got a hacked copy, and you install it using your serial number, I don't see any issue with that from an ethical standpoint.

    However, those hacked copies of XP sometimes don't run as well as retail because some of the files are changed to get around the activation crap - so it may or may not run as well as yours. For me, the hacked version did NOT run as well, but YMMV
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