Nor am I, Herman but I think the answer is that when starting the computer your
BIOS determines if the USB port in enabled or not. If it's not, how do you want
to use USB devices ? Same for the boot proces from a harddisk. So in my eyes
first there is the bootproces with de BIOS and after that the OS. Therefore the
question "if I install the OS ( Vista ) on the external HD, will the computer
boot from there ?" starts with the BIOS. The BIOS determines from what drive
you're booting. Not the OS or driver ...
Regards, Ton.
----- Original Message -----
From: Herman
To: Ton Sieverding
Sent: Wednesday, September 08, 2010 2:24 PM
Subject: Re: [amibroker] OT: installing OS again
i am no expert, but does the boot process load USB drivers?
herman
Hi Anthony/Herman,
I missing something in this conversation. It's the BIOS determining the
BOOT process ?
Regards, Ton.
----- Original Message -----
From: Herman
To: Anthony Faragasso
Sent: Wednesday, September 08, 2010 1:43 PM
Subject: Re: [amibroker] OT: installing OS again
I don't think that is possible because before it can access the
external hard-disk the OS must be running the drivers, i.e., the OS must be
loaded.
herman
Herman,
I purchased an external HD...if I install the OS ( Vista ) on the
external HD, will the computer boot from there ?
Anthony
----- Original Message -----
From: Herman
To: Keith McCombs
Sent: Wednesday, September 08, 2010 3:19 AM
Subject: Re: [amibroker] OT: installing OS again
A fresh install of the OS most of the time leads to new install
of most programs you use. If you have many you always miss some and always have
to serach for install disks, passwords, etc.
My way around this is to add another harddisk and leave the old
one intact and functional. Then install on the new Hard disk. You will still
have to install all the programs but at least you can still access everything
you missed copying. Having two hard disks you can do a new OS install
periodically without having to worry about losing anything.
I do the same when upgrading OS and now have three HDs, XP, Vista
and W7.
herman
Before you attempt to do anything else, make a complete
image of your hard drive. Make sure that your disk imaging software will allow
you to recover individual folders and files as well as the entire image.
Then see if you can run your OS installation software in
'Repair' mode. If you can, you may end up fixing what ever your problem is,
without needing to reinstall any software.
If that doesn't work, maybe you might have to reinstall the
OS. Are you absolutely sure that the only solution to your problem is a
complete re-install? Positive? Absolutely Positive? If so:
Just because you have copies of all your installed programs
does NOT mean that you can merely copy them onto the newly installed OS.
You will have to re-install almost all of your programs.
For this you need the Original installation programs, including protection
keys, either on disks or saved elsewhere.
Good luck,
-- Keith
BTW, I have been using PC's since the very first IBM ones.
Probably owned a couple of dozen since then. The only time I have had to
reinstall an OS was when I lost my first HD more than 25 years ago. Since
then, I make drive images and/or use other work arounds.
On 9/7/2010 02:36, reinsley wrote:
Hi,
IMO, before to format, save your My documents files ( it's
another name under Vista, the file containing all your personnal documents),
save your bookmarks ( IE or Firefox), save your Outlook settings (address book
contacts, settings accounts) Emails as well if needed, but they are on ISP's
server.
Save the other application files such as AB, into
c:\Program Files. Your formulas, your databases, etc. are there.
Then format the disk, and start from scratch, install
vista. Don't forget the drivers.
Install all your applications. Printer and gadgets...
Restore your My documents, and AB formulas, AB databases.
You can do a todolist of the actions before to start. You
update this document as and when you did it.
Next install you update your technical notes, the order to
proceed, the things forgotten. It's a good way to never miss a step.
When everything is running fine for a while, you know what
is worth to backup from time to time. :)
Best regards
Le 07/09/2010 00:44, Anthony Faragasso a écrit :
I need to re-install windows Vista to correct several
issues I am having...
I purchased an external Hard drive...How do I move all
programs and files to the external hard drive and then move
them back to the computers internal hard drive after
re-installing the operating system ?
I do not think just backing up the internal hard drive will
preserve all programs...some programs I do not
have disks for...
Help...
thank you
Anthony
