About to loose my mind, reboot help please!!

jasonk1234 · 07-18-2007, 12:35 PM

Ive searched this forum for rebooting but didnt find the answers i was looking for so...

My computer is messed up Ive heard alot about rebooting and how it fixes many problems. My comp is 6 years old and has about 30 gbs left

1-Whats the easiest way to save all my files to dvd? is there a program that can do this?

2-Ive lost the cds for many of the programs I have installed on my computer, is there any way to save/copy the program itself, so I can reinstall after rebooting?

3-is there a proper way to reboot in win xp?

Thank you in advance!

chicgeek · 07-19-2007, 08:15 AM

1 - Most programs use the default of My Documents as the location to save your files. If you've kept up with this, you should just be able to burn from there.

2 - So long as you still have the registration keys, pretty much all software companies permit the download of the program from their websites, so long as you have the registration keys. You might need to make a couple of phone calls to their support, but so long as you have the key, you should be fine.

3 - What? I take it you mean reformat..?

As for missing CDs and registration keys, maybe now is a good time to restart your organizational process. Keep a large CD wallet just for programs and system CDs. Use postits or a larger sheet of paper as your master list of registration codes. It's also good with a new computer to make a CD of the drivers that you used, so you don't have to play detective when you reformat.

ewomack · 07-19-2007, 08:49 AM

Building on what ChicGeek said:

1 - Are you looking for a specific program that will backup your files? Lots of programs exist - google on "system backup" or "computer backup." Some of them come with options to backup everything or just non-system files.

2 - This is a tough one. If a program consists of just an .exe file then you can save it and "reinstall" it. But if the program used a CD or an install program then you'll have a lot of difficulty recreating it elsewhere. One reason companies set up installers is to keep people from doing exactly what you're asking: it would make software pirating very easy. Most likely if you had a CD for the program it would take a Herculaen effort to find all of the files and registry keys and reconstruct them. But that does depend on the program. I also assume that you don't have the software keys for the programs? If not, some programs list these in the help > about menu. I've seen them on some Macromedia products, for instance. In the future, follow ChicGeek's CD wallet advice.

3 - The proper way to reboot is Start > Shutdown. But I don't think this is what you're asking. Is it?

jasonk1234 · 07-28-2007, 08:09 PM

1- I just wanted to know if a program existed, I googled it, like you recomended and found a decent one, Thanks

2- will do

3- No, I meant reformat (hope thats what its called) were you wipe your computer clean, of everything on it, start fresh. Will this rejuvenate a comp or should I just get a new one?

**3ncryptabl3_lick** · 07-28-2007, 08:15 PM

Ya, 6 years old? pIII or original p4? Ya get a new one.

**G10** · 07-28-2007, 08:17 PM

I am not sure what the main issues are but it will definately help remove a lot of redundant stuff.

If you are talking about cloning the drive, then you must remember that if the problem is software based, you are going to be cloning the problem also.

When you say issues, are you talking about slow performance or other issues?

ScriptMan · 07-29-2007, 06:14 AM

I don't recall where I saw it mentioned. There is a program that will read your computer and extract all the registeration keys for you. Then as long as you have the program CD you can reistall it.

Xp offers the transfer wizard. I have never used it for programs. I do think it will transfer them over. I do think you will need a little more than 30G for the transfer file data.

At 6 years old I would have to agree that a new computer might be your best option.

Edit: A defective driver, failing power supply, bad memory, failing HD or a loose connection on the MB are the most common causes of rebooting. Scan the hard drive and then test them in the order listed.

thegamerslink · 07-29-2007, 08:23 PM

Although I am not a norton proponent I did use the norton ghost program when I was a tech once upon a time, but as mentioned before if the problems you are having are things such as slow computer running, driver errors, registry conflicts and the like then you are just going to be copying the same problems to a reformatted drive.

May suggest trying to run programs such as spybot, adaware, registryclean etc before you go that extra mile see if that takes care of what you are experiencing......

jasonk1234 · 07-29-2007, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G10

When you say issues, are you talking about slow performance or other issues?

somedays my comp runs at lightening speed, and other days its slower than molasses.

I think its time for me to just buy a new one.

Thanks for all the help though G10

thegamerslink · 07-29-2007, 10:26 PM

Well, it being that old that would be the most economical way to go about it, especially with the cheap standard pc going for $300 or less now a days. It's possible you have intermittent inner problems such as with the memory or with the power supply, or even the processor itself, my bet would be on the power supply at any rate, it will just probably continue to worsen as it goes until one day nothing, and putting any money in it repair wise isn't really a wise choice economically speaking seeing as it's pretty much a disposable society now a days :-)