It Help

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  PhearFactor1 year, 3 months ago #1Show comment toolsReply

  You should back up the "Program Files" and any corresponding files for the applications in "Documents and Settings/Username/Local Settings" and "Documents and Settings/Username/Local Settings/Application Data". That should do it, been a while since I used XP though :3
  
  Oh, you should change folder view options to see hidden/protected files before looking for the AppData.
  

  
  Edited By: PhearFactor on Jan 19, 2012 07:32
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  csiman1 year, 3 months ago2 Likes #2Show comment toolsReply

  Is it possible to back up program files on a win XP hard drive then restore them to a new PC with Win Xp installed
  
  In a word, NO!
  
  You need the installers to properly install programs. Doing what phearfactor said wont work as the registry entries will be missing. Copy the program data after installing on the new machine.
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  PhearFactor1 year, 3 months ago #3Show comment toolsReply

  csiman

  Doing what phearfactor said wont work as the registry entries will be missing.

  
  
  *shrugs* - guess it depends on the apps he uses, my benchmarks work fine like this X)
  
  Could he not export the information the programs need from the registry and import on the new install?
  http://pcsupport.about.com/od/windowsxp/ht/backupxpreg.htm
  
  

  
  Edited By: PhearFactor on Jan 19, 2012 07:54: .
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  Bobbajob1 year, 3 months ago #4Show comment toolsReply

  That would only back up the program settings not the program. When you install something it usually installs to Program Files and changes the registry. It's not really possible to transfer without doing an install.
  
  I'm guessing these are programs you're not supposed to have otherwise ask IT to install them.
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  PhearFactor1 year, 3 months ago #5Show comment toolsReply

  It shouldn't be impossible to do it, nothing is impossible :p
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  Boxer1 year, 3 months ago #6Show comment toolsReply

  e.g. Firefox. IT cant control Firefox, I can get on HotUK with Firefox. Its blocked on the standard issue IE5. :(
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  Boxer1 year, 3 months ago #7Show comment toolsReply

  Thanks.
  
  I think I'm gonna look at cloning. Not sure if this can be detected on the network but my PC can be seen now, so logically, if the new drive is imaged it might work. Could drop myself in it though.
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  master_chief1 year, 3 months ago #8Show comment toolsReply

  If only you used a Mac...
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  dontasciime1 year, 3 months ago #9Show comment toolsReply

  try turning your exe to portable apps
  
  http://www.inshame.com/2007/10/how-to-make-portable-applications.html [older guide]
  
  
  http://www.inshame.com/2011/04/how-to-create-portable-applications.html [newer]
  
  
  
  http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/create-portable-app-flash-drive/
  
  

  
  Edited By: dontasciime on Jan 19, 2012 11:07
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  greatest6661 year, 3 months ago #10Show comment toolsReply

  Can you not download all the installers you need and put them on a flashdrive and install them on the refreshed PC's?
  
  Also you can get portable Firefox that runs from a flashdrive
  http://portableapps.com/apps/internet/firefox_portable
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  Boxer1 year, 3 months ago #11Show comment toolsReply

  You've all been a great help.
  
  Thanks, Its appreciated.
  
  Boxer.
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  ElliottC1 year, 3 months ago #12Show comment toolsReply

  csiman

  Is it possible to back up program files on a win XP hard drive then restore them to a new PC with Win Xp installed
  
  In a word, NO!
  
  You need the installers to properly install programs. Doing what phearfactor said wont work as the registry entries will be missing. Copy the program data after installing on the new machine.

  
  
  It is possible since the entire registry can be copied (albeit not easily due to Kernel32.dll protecting this from happening). However, Windows Backup can perform the task of copying the registry and many system files. Installed programs also make use of files that are copied into the Windows directories too (files such as MFC DLLs and .NET DLLs). These can be copied easily with or without Windows backup tool.
  
  However, cloning is by far an easier option so it is prudent for the OP to take this route.
  
  

  
  Edited By: ElliottC on Jan 19, 2012 13:29

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