reformat question for IT peeps

turnedmyworldtoblack

I was wondering if you know of any program that will copy all the functional drivers that your computer is using before you reformat? I know you could look in device manager properties for each piece of hardware but that just seems kinda the hard way. When I reformat win98 computers (dont ask why) and sometimes even an XP machine with some after factory parts I seem to run into some stupid problems with drivers and it never quite works perfectly. I usually end up having to use software to get the manufacturer of the part and search for drivers...blah blah blah...its just a pain in the ass. Thanks in advance

norm

I don't know of any program that will do that. The only thing I can think of is to reformat, install/update drivers and then make a drive image before you start loading programs etc. That way if you need to reformat again, you could just load the image.

Jamal

I only know that you can make a ghost image of the drive using Norton ghost or partition magic or something like that and then format and repair using that image, but then all will be restored...

So, best thing might be to make a clean install, make an image with only the clean install(with drivers), one with the essential progs and continue from those ....

Ahnimus

Try This

DriverGuide Toolkit identifies and lists drivers installed on your computer and, when connected to the Internet, allows you to search DriverGuide.com (and other sources) for driver updates and manufacturer sites. In addition, it allows you to backup your currently installed drivers for safe keeping. Backing up your Windows driver files means that they will be available to you the next time you need to reinstall the driver or the whole operating system. DriverGuide Toolkit places the driver files in one organized location of your choosing.

http://www.driverguidetoolkit.com/

Jamal

@ Ahnimus : thx for the tip, didn't know this program, will definitely give it try

turnedmyworldtoblack

yea good tip, i got another question though. Is all the hardware needs is the one driver file? so copying down the.inf or .sys file and saving it is all you would have to do?? or is there another small file that makes it functional?

aNiMaL

In a lot of cases though, it's not a bad idea to just go ahead and download new drivers for your new OS. Driver's are always available.

jlew24asu

I am lucky enough to work in a almost 100% Dell workplace, and home for that matter. dell is really good about having all drivers available on their website just by typing in the service tag.

if you ever consider a new PC try dell. very easy to reformat and re-install all drivers with a point n click.

outontheporch

dang, that is a sweet program

But yeah if you have a dell then you're in good shape as far as drivers go. Actually if your comp was put together by any other company, like gateway or micropc or whatever, then there's a good chance you can find the drivers at their site (assuming they're still around).

and like someone already said, ghost is a good way to go, although you'd want to use a fresh windows install image, otherwise you're back to square one after you load the image. Akronis (spelling?) is a great image program too.

Ahnimus

outontheporch wrote:

dang, that is a sweet program

But yeah if you have a dell then you're in good shape as far as drivers go. Actually if your comp was put together by any other company, like gateway or micropc or whatever, then there's a good chance you can find the drivers at their site (assuming they're still around).

and like someone already said, ghost is a good way to go, although you'd want to use a fresh windows install image, otherwise you're back to square one after you load the image. Akronis (spelling?) is a great image program too.

I'm glad you like it, I've never tried it. I just searched google, but I tend to trust driverguide.com.

Ahnimus

turnedmyworldtoblack wrote:

yea good tip, i got another question though. Is all the hardware needs is the one driver file? so copying down the.inf or .sys file and saving it is all you would have to do?? or is there another small file that makes it functional?

Yea, for Windows 95 and newer systems the SYS file is the whole driver (I believe) on older operating systems the files were DRV. I think some old hardware still uses DRV and newer Windows operating systems have a way of handling that by loading them in the Win.ini or System.ini files.

Jamal

outontheporch wrote:

and like someone already said, ghost is a good way to go, although you'd want to use a fresh windows install image, otherwise you're back to square one after you load the image.

I did say that, didn't I ...
I do believe it's best to work with several images ie: clean install and basic necessary progs (those you need for work etc.)

So I really did say exactly that

Anyways, just tot lighten things up and stay ontopic :
"Who the hell is "General Failure" and why is he reading my hard drive???"