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Topic: How can I save software that's on my computer to cd? |
Michael Winslow
From:
San Francisco, California, USA
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Posted 15 Sep 2007 3:45 pm |
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My hard drive is having problems so I'm going to replace it with a new one. I have a number of programs that I've purchased, downloaded and installed or were on my computer when I purchased it. I also have a number of music programs that I've purchased that are sitting on my desktop as zip files. I don't have the install disk for any of these programs.
1)For a program that's already installed, is there a way to copy it and save it to a cd so I can reinstall it on my new drive? On a new program I just click on the installer icon, but I don't see that in any of the files on my computer. I've copied one program to a cd, but I'm not sure how to install it without the icon.
2)What's the best way to save the zip files to a cd so I can reinstall on the new drive?
I'm trying to save as much as I can before the system crashed entirely and won't work at all.
Thanks.... |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 15 Sep 2007 7:31 pm
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Programs must be installed using the program's installation routine, you can't just "copy" a program over to a new PC or hard drive.
If the program was supplied with the PC and you don't have the installation CD, in most cases you are on your own and will have to purchase a retail version of the program.
If you have a zip file of the entire program, usually that includes the needed installation for that program.
Copy the zip files to CD(s), same way copy your user data, music files, pictures, e-mail address book and account, Internet Explorer favorites, etc.
When you install the new hard drive you will have to reinstall everything - the Operating System, motherboard chipset drivers (if applicable) drivers for devices such as sound and video. |
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Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
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Posted 15 Sep 2007 9:47 pm
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Or, you can take the computer to a service shop and have them ghost your old hard drive's entire contents to a new hard drive, which you will purchase from them. If the old drive can be Chkdsk'd and defragmented, all the better for the transfer to the new one. Ghosting, or imaging makes an exact copy of all installed programs, the OS, the licenses, your settings, email, preferences, etc.
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
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Michael Winslow
From:
San Francisco, California, USA
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Posted 16 Sep 2007 9:14 am
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Thanks for the comments.
Jack, I thought it would probably be like that. I have one program where I have the original install disc, but can't find the upgrade disk which has the new software for working with MP3's. I'll email the company.
Wiz,ghosting was the first thing I thought about doing...until I talked to the computer guy at work who said I might be copying problems from my old hard drive to my new hard drive and that I'd be better off reinstalling everything. Personally, I think the programs are stable and it's the hard drive that's wearing out - I've had it 4-5 years. And it would be a lot easier for me to ghost and have everything copied. The shop where I bought my computer would do it for 60 dollars plus the cost of a hard drive which is really cheap.
Every time I start my computer it runs the chkdsk program. Do you know how I can turn chkdsk off once it starts running? I can stop it if I hit any key within one second after it starts, but I'm not always able to do that. Or sometimes it won't boot up at all and I just see a dark screen like when the system is off. Then I have to reboot a few times to get it running...and now it starts runnning chkdsk as soon as it starts.
Another thought: I actually have 2 drives, a c: and a d: drive, so the path to a lot of my programs is to the d: drive. Would the easiest solution be to buy two drives again instead just a c: drive and trying to deal with that problem? |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 16 Sep 2007 2:09 pm
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I don't think two drives will solve your problem.
If you replace the "C" drive with a new hard drive and install Windows on that one, you will still have to "install" your programs, even if they are currently "installed" on the "D" drive. The new install of Windows will not have "hooks" for the installed programs on the "D" drive.
The only way to do it and save everything is to "ghost" the drive as Wiz mentioned. However, all the "junk" that is on the drive and clogging up Windows will still be there when you build the new drive from the "ghost" image. |
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Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
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Posted 16 Sep 2007 4:33 pm
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Ask your computer store tech if he is able to install or use a current version of Norton Ghost to make a "smart image" of your C (and D drives if needed) drive, and save it/them to an external drive. Then, have him install a new hard drive and image it from the saved smart image of drive C. You can do the same for drive D, to another new drive.
Smart Imaging is not a sector by sector copy. It only copies areas of the hard drive that contain actual data, and are not flagged as "dirty" by the OS and Chkdsk. The fact that Chkdsk is running on every reboot indicates that the OS is flagging your hard drive as having Dirty Sectors (failing disk). By exporting and importing a smart or intelligent image you avoid copying bad sectors and unused or free space. Only data is copied, which is what you want.
The best procedure to follow would be for you to reboot into safe mode, empty ALL unneeded and temporary files, including files in the Recycle Bin, for both C and D drives (use Disk Cleanup), then defragment both drives, then power off and take the computer in for intelligent ghosting. Then have him fix any problems that carry over.
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
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Michael Winslow
From:
San Francisco, California, USA
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Posted 19 Sep 2007 7:55 pm
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Thanks for all of your input. I spoke with the computer guy at the shop and there could also be a problem with the memory and on motherboard....and since my system is about 5 years old it probably means time for a new computer somewhere down the line. Even if it's not a motherboard problem....it would probably be more cost effective to get a new system. However, I will look into your suggestions because it may keep my systm running in the short term.
And by chance I found the missing disk I was looking for so I can reinstall everything if I have to.
Thanks again.....
Mike |
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