The R word !! Need to know where Vista keeps the data

[ollie007]

i need to do the R thang !! Reformat and reinstall, i would like to know where Vista stores documents and program data...

XP had them in documents and the user folders.

 

[SCSIraidGURU]

Backup your data. Boot your Vista DVD. Remove the partitions. Reboot. Reinstall.

 

[ollie007]

vista data seems to be all over the place !! there's the user folder, the document folder.

where else is data kept?

i am reinstalling through the laptop backup image btw

 

[SCSIraidGURU]

Do a factory restore. It blanks the drives and reinstalls clean.

 

[ollie007]

yes but i need to grab my data first LOL i need to know where program data are kept. firefox and maybe IE7 as well

Btw, how can i tell if my centrino can take 64-bit OS ?

 

[SCSIraidGURU]

Did you verify you can get drivers for your laptop on the manufacturer web site.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello ollie.


Usually by continually tapping F12 as soon as you depress the power button.

















Later Ted

 

[ollie007]

Hello ollie.

Usually by continually tapping F12 as soon as you depress the power button.

Later Ted

what does this do??

Did you verify you can get drivers for your laptop on the manufacturer web site.

yeah my HP pavilion dv2613tu has all 64-bit drivers on their website.....BUT how do i know if the backup image has a 64-bit Vista? i am on 32-bit vista now !

why would they load 64-bit on it and have 32-bit emulation?

 

[SCSIraidGURU]

I believe if you have Vista 32-bit installed, you just buy a upgrade key for it. Call your laptop manufacturer about it.

 

[ollie007]

does that mean i would have to reinstall 64-bit over the top?

or can i install 32-bit now and then change the key later?

 

[SCSIraidGURU]

You can't install a 64-bit OS over a 32-bit OS. You need a clean install. However, Vista is upgraded by a key.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/compare-editions/default.aspx

Look at the bottom for upgrade now.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello ollie.


The factory installed image will be either 32-bit or 64-bit, it will not be both. As guru said there is no upgrade path from 32-bit to 64-bit, it would have to be a clean/fresh install.


















Later Ted

 

[rive0108]

yes but i need to grab my data first LOL i need to know where program data are kept. firefox and maybe IE7 as well

Btw, how can i tell if my centrino can take 64-bit OS ?

For backing up the data there are two ways:

1. Start>Control Panel>System and Maintenance>Backup and restore center

Use the Vista file backup utility-check all boxes. This will backup all your User data.

2. Start>Computer>(your Drive-i.e., C: drive)>Users

Backup the entire User folder, or open it and just backup an individual User Folder

There is no sense in backing up Programs- as a re-install will require them to also be re-installed. But User program data is stored in the User folder.