Posted 26 June 2006 - 03:26 AM
From smart computing magazine.
Back up before setup.
Regardless of which WinXP version you install, you need to make some preliminary preparations. Backing up your important data files is the first of those preparations. You should save any file that contains original data, including text documents, spreadsheets, databases, address books, financial records, digital photos, and digital videos. You also should back up your downloaded multimedia files (such as MP3 files) so that you don't have to download them again. You can restore all of the data back to the hard drive after you complete the WinXP installation.
Make a direct transfer.
In addition to a data backup, you can use a convenient tool on the WinXP installation CD-ROM to transfer your files and system settings from the old OS to your new OS.
To begin, insert the installation CD-ROM in the computer and wait for the Welcome dialog box to appear. Select the Perform Additional Tasks option and click the Transfer Files And Settings option. The resulting Files And Settings Transfer Wizard will walk you through the process of selecting the settings and files you want to preserve when you install WinXP. Specify where you want to store the files in the meantime (choose another partition, a network location, or a removable storage device) and then wait while the transfer takes place.
After you install WinXP, return to the Files And Settings Transfer Wizard and follow the instructions to restore the files and settings to your new OS (such as to the partition where you installed WinXP).
Now i have done this and the settings don't always work. People add backgrounds, screen savers, and many other files that are downloaded from the internet. Windows does not have these so you may not have the exact same settings you had until you install these files.
SRX660
