I will be reinstalling Windows XP (home).  I have a complete backup
(MS XP backup Wizard) of my program files.  They are stored on my "2nd
hard drive" along with my data files.  When I begin to restore, which
files should I restore from the backup?  I want to make this as easy
as possible, but on the other hand, I sure don't want to import some
funky files which is my reason for the reinstall.

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Request for Question Clarification by joseleon-ga on 04 Sep 2002 11:35 PDT

Hello:
   Basically I advice you to restore only your data (documents and so
on), don't restore any program (Office or any other), it's better you
install programs on the fresh installation. If you provide a list of
directories of your backup I could point you what and what not to
restore.

Regards.

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Clarification of Question by jimc-ga on 05 Sep 2002 11:38 PDT

I agree with you,  I would do a clean reinstall of my program files.

My concern is making sure that some “personal” items are restored. 
What a pain-in-the-neck it is to lose your custom dictionary.  I made
a list of everything I would restore.

If I may share my list, perhaps you can edit or offer additional
suggestions.  I would restore the following files;

PROGRAM FILES;
	CONFIG MSI = no
	DOCS & SETTINGS (I am the only user of my PC)
	OWNER
	DESKTOP
	FAVORITES
	APPLICATION DATA
	MICROSOFT
•	OUTLOOK 
	JUNK SENDERS LIST
•	POWER POINT TEMPLATES
	CRYSTAL GRAPHICS
	APPLICATION DATA
•	HISTORY
	WINDOWS
	FONTS (I have quite a few unique fonts)
	PREFETCH (???)
	TASKS (* REMINDER TO RELOAD THEM)


Outlook 2002 – I have a backup and archive file for this strange
little program.  I have lost my data one time before and that was not
a nice thing to replace.

Windows XP Service pack 1   -  I will do is hold off until the issue
of  Windows XP Service pack 1.  I believe that it will be “out” on
Monday 9/9/02.  Office Sv Pack #1 is already out, so the MS Updates &
downloads won’t be too extreme.

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Request for Question Clarification by joseleon-ga on 05 Sep 2002 13:13 PDT

Hello, jimc:

With the list you provide I would do the following:

PROGRAM FILES=no
CONFIG MSI = no 
DOCS & SETTINGS = yes, but be aware to create your user account on
your fresh system with the same name you have, for example, if your
account is Jim, when you reinstall Windows XP, choose Jim as user
account
OWNER = don't know what is this
DESKTOP = yes, only if you have folders/files in it, because it will
also create a lot of shortcuts to non-existent programs
FAVORITES = yes
APPLICATION DATA = yes, but be careful, inside application data, there
are identities which may not be the same on your fresh installation,
before restore this directory, go to the Application Data dir to see
what is your current identity, after that, restore and copy all the
contents to your current identity
MICROSOFT OUTLOOK  = Isn't this a subdirectory of application data?
JUNK SENDERS LIST = Don't know what is this
POWER POINT TEMPLATES = Only if you created new templates
CRYSTAL GRAPHICS = I supose no, it seems a program
APPLICATION DATA HISTORY = no
WINDOWS = BIG NO
FONTS = yes, but it would be better to backup your fresh windows\fonts
dir before restore
PREFETCH (???) = also ???, don't know what it is
TASKS = yes

I normally don't use MS XP Backup Wizard because I want full control
of the restore operation. I normally perform this kind of operation in
this way:
-Clean my hard disk
 (Uninstall applications I don't need)
 (Delete any folder/file I don't need)
 (Backup my entire hard disk excluding Program Files and Windows)
 (I copy later the Application Data / Documents and Settings / Fonts /
Desktop)
  
-I reinstall Windows XP
-I reinstall all the applications I need
-I start to restore all the backup

I hope this helps, if you post the full list, I could help you in the
same way. Tell me if this answer was help ful to you.

Regards.

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Request for Question Clarification by joseleon-ga on 10 Sep 2002 05:04 PDT

Hello, els24uk:
  Did you find my information useful? If so, Could I answer the question?

Regards.

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Request for Question Clarification by joseleon-ga on 16 Sep 2002 06:22 PDT

Hello, jimc:
  Did you have success restoring your system? Do you think my
information was useful to you? I would like to answer the question,
but I don't know if I deserve the money for it.

Regards.