Reformatting a partition

AngusJS · 03-20-10, 08:18 AM

I have Windows XP on one partition of my hard drive, and my games on another. If I reformat my Windows partition and reinstall Windows, will that break my games, requiring that they be reinstalled as well, or will they be ok?

Thanks

jumpy · 03-20-10, 08:25 AM

I'd assume that unless you delete the partition(s) during the re-install of the os, you'll be ok just formatting the partition. I don't know if your games and such will still work after reinstalling windows - there'd be some registry problems there surely?

I have two hard-drives - C for OS and programs. E for data/files. Makes life easier as you can backup all critical data before the old windows mantra 'format, reinstall'

CaptainHaplo · 03-20-10, 10:42 AM

Depends on the game. Most games should be ok - though you may lose stuff like your savegames (often kept under my documents). Others require registry entries to function, and will break. Its really a crapshoot with every game.

AngusJS · 03-24-10, 10:58 AM

Is there a way to copy those parts of the registry and put them back in after I reinstall Windows?

Pappy55 · 03-24-10, 11:20 AM

It's touch and go...

In my honest openion you would be better off formatting both drives and starting from scratch, Of course you will have to backup patches and save games first.

CaptainHaplo · 03-24-10, 04:44 PM

Angus - is there a way to do it? Yes.

The problem is there isn't a GOOD way to do it.

Unless you use an application that monitors software installs (and thus can show you what keys were entered) - you would have to manually go through the registry and export all the needed keys. For each game your looking at anywhere from 1-30 registry keys - hidden among a couple of hundred thousand. And if you miss one that is critical - its reinstall time.

Best bet is to just save all your games - and mods (use JSGME!!!) and go clean and then reinstall. If you have a slew of games it may take a while but its better in the long run.

kiwi_2005 · 03-25-10, 04:52 AM

You could try Nortons Ghost. Make an exact image of your windows installation games included then copy that image back onto the clean drive. No point though if your deleting windows for reasons its corrupt or rather.

As for the backup game registry I would try it, works for some games.

You just need to copy from HKEY_CURRENT_USER & HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE - look for the game folders (eg Ubisoft folder) and export the folder to a safe place. After your new install of windows import them back in to the registry by just double clicking on them.

03-20-10, 08:18 AM	#1
AngusJS Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 746 Downloads: 62 Uploads: 0	Reformatting a partition I have Windows XP on one partition of my hard drive, and my games on another. If I reformat my Windows partition and reinstall Windows, will that break my games, requiring that they be reinstalled as well, or will they be ok? Thanks

03-20-10, 08:25 AM	#2
jumpy Admiral Join Date: May 2003 Location: Midlands, UK Posts: 2,139 Downloads: 22 Uploads: 0	I'd assume that unless you delete the partition(s) during the re-install of the os, you'll be ok just formatting the partition. I don't know if your games and such will still work after reinstalling windows - there'd be some registry problems there surely? I have two hard-drives - C for OS and programs. E for data/files. Makes life easier as you can backup all critical data before the old windows mantra 'format, reinstall' __________________ when you’ve been so long in the desert, any water, no matter how brackish, looks like life

03-20-10, 10:42 AM	#3
CaptainHaplo Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 4,404 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 0	Depends on the game. Most games should be ok - though you may lose stuff like your savegames (often kept under my documents). Others require registry entries to function, and will break. Its really a crapshoot with every game. __________________ Good Hunting! Captain Haplo

03-24-10, 11:20 AM	#5
Pappy55 Engineer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Birmingham, UK Posts: 211 Downloads: 173 Uploads: 0	It's touch and go... In my honest openion you would be better off formatting both drives and starting from scratch, Of course you will have to backup patches and save games first. __________________

03-24-10, 04:44 PM	#6
CaptainHaplo Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 4,404 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 0	Angus - is there a way to do it? Yes. The problem is there isn't a GOOD way to do it. Unless you use an application that monitors software installs (and thus can show you what keys were entered) - you would have to manually go through the registry and export all the needed keys. For each game your looking at anywhere from 1-30 registry keys - hidden among a couple of hundred thousand. And if you miss one that is critical - its reinstall time. Best bet is to just save all your games - and mods (use JSGME!!!) and go clean and then reinstall. If you have a slew of games it may take a while but its better in the long run. __________________ Good Hunting! Captain Haplo

03-24-10, 10:58 AM	#4
AngusJS Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 746 Downloads: 62 Uploads: 0	Is there a way to copy those parts of the registry and put them back in after I reinstall Windows?

03-25-10, 04:52 AM	#7
kiwi_2005 Eternal Patrol Join Date: May 2004 Location: Aeoteroa Posts: 7,382 Downloads: 223 Uploads: 1	You could try Nortons Ghost. Make an exact image of your windows installation games included then copy that image back onto the clean drive. No point though if your deleting windows for reasons its corrupt or rather. As for the backup game registry I would try it, works for some games. You just need to copy from HKEY_CURRENT_USER & HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE - look for the game folders (eg Ubisoft folder) and export the folder to a safe place. After your new install of windows import them back in to the registry by just double clicking on them. __________________ RIP kiwi_2005 Those who can't laugh at themselves leave the job to others.