Running programs that are not in the registry.

[Basscyst]

Hello,

In order to keep my computer feeling fresh. I like to reformat my HD every 3-4 months or so. I keep my operating system on one partition and all my programs on another. I then keep my media on a second physical drive. This allows me to reformat my OS partition without worrying about making backups of everything.

My question is:

Aside from the obvious, that the program just won't run. Are there any reprocutions from running programs that are not actually in the windows registry? I understand that this in part depends on the program. But does windows itself respond negativly? I've had my goods set up this way for years and don't particuraly notice anything that is affected but I don't really pay attention to everything either. :p

Oh My! I'm Addicted!

Thanks,
Basscyst

[Roy Sinclair]

The repercusssions are mainly limited to key data that the programs expect to exist in the regsitry. Probably the most important one would be whether the program is set up to handle a specific file type, after all you could have a great arsenal of image handling programs handy but if everytime you double-click on any image MS Paint pops up...

If you've already gotten used to handling that then I wouldn't let it bother me though there are also ways of saving specific bits of information from the registry so you could "reload" the registry after your next reload.

Another alternative a lot of people have been using lately though is to perform a "clean" install of the OS and applications (application on a separate partition, much as you have done) and then create an "Image" of that basic installation using a tool like GhostCopy. Then instead of re-installing XP and the applications and setting up all the personal preferences each time, they simply re-install the "image" where everything is already set up (which also saves a lot of time).

[Mhtml]

Formatting every 3 - 4 months? Isn't that bad for a drive?

[oracleguy]

No, it doesn't hurt it. All formatting does basically is re-create the MFT with nothing allocated. That is why unless you use extrodinary steps to wipe the data, it is still there and recoverable if you format it unless you overwrite the data with new stuff.

[Basscyst]

The repercusssions are mainly limited to key data that the programs expect to exist in the regsitry. Probably the most important one would be whether the program is set up to handle a specific file type, after all you could have a great arsenal of image handling programs handy but if everytime you double-click on any image MS Paint pops up...

If you've already gotten used to handling that then I wouldn't let it bother me though there are also ways of saving specific bits of information from the registry so you could "reload" the registry after your next reload.

Another alternative a lot of people have been using lately though is to perform a "clean" install of the OS and applications (application on a separate partition, much as you have done) and then create an "Image" of that basic installation using a tool like GhostCopy. Then instead of re-installing XP and the applications and setting up all the personal preferences each time, they simply re-install the "image" where everything is already set up (which also saves a lot of time).

Ahh yes, never tried it. But I do have Norton's Ghost. Seems silly that I never took the time to look into what it does. I just popped on the firewall and AV and went about my way. I'll give it a shot next cycle.

Thanks.
Basscyst