Restore programs on old partition

[GoldenClick]

Hypothetical Question:

I have an OS that craps out on me so I back up the hard drive, and reinstall Windows 7/XP/etc. (talking about windows here).

Now, I have the old data and the new windows installation. Is there a way to restore my old programs from the old data onto the new operating system install?

If so, how?

If not, why not?

Thanks.

 

[PC Ops]

I'd say no. Reinstalling Windows overwrites old data. Not all but al lot. You'll be able to dig up some pictures, documents, other files etc. But I'm guessing you're talking about installed programs. Installed programs are dug deep into the register and reinstalling Windows means, ofcourse, also a fresh register. So, still no.

If you ask me you'd better perform cpr on the faulty os using one of many possibilities instead of reinstalling since you seem hypothetically eager to keep all installed programs and you seem to dislike the idea of reinstalling all programs as well.

 

[MobileTechie]

Windows programs have registry entries and data in areas such as App Data etc. They won't run properly/at all without those entries and your new installation doesn't have them.

I guess, in theory, you might be able to manually copy over the program files, reg entries and app data but that is likely to be harder than just reinstalling.

The best thing is to avoid needing to do this by backing up the OS so when the system goes down you can just restore then entire thing, programs and all.

 

[Xander]

I haven't tried it but I've heard good things about:
http://www.laplink.com/pcmover/

 

[Martyn]

I think pcmover is for a working computer to another working computer.

 

[Xander]

You can't run it on an image of the old HD? Shame.

 

[red12049]

You can't run it on an image of the old HD? Shame.

No, but you can run it on an image made into a virtual machine. If a machine is dead, we use d2vhd, or lately Paragon Go Virtual to make a virtual machine, then run PC Mover on the VM, saving the output file to a "shared drive." Works like a charm.

Rick

 

[PC Ops]

No, but you can run it on an image made into a virtual machine. If a machine is dead, we use d2vhd, or lately Paragon Go Virtual to make a virtual machine, then run PC Mover on the VM, saving the output file to a "shared drive." Works like a charm.

Nice trick and a good tip!!!

But the hypothetical case was about an already reinstalled Windows and the possibility of recovering installed programs. I stand my ground and keep my "no" on the original question as installed programs are, as everyone here knows or should know, more than only a folder with files in Program Files and shortcuts in the start menu.

 

[red12049]

Nice trick and a good tip!!!

But the hypothetical case was about an already reinstalled Windows and the possibility of recovering installed programs. I stand my ground and keep my "no" on the original question as installed programs are, as everyone here knows or should know, more than only a folder with files in Program Files and shortcuts in the start menu.

Actually, since the OP mentioned a backup, he could do this. Would be a fair bit of work, but certainly doable, if the client wanted to pay for it.

Rick

 

[allanc]

No, but you can run it on an image made into a virtual machine. If a machine is dead, we use d2vhd, or lately Paragon Go Virtual to make a virtual machine, then run PC Mover on the VM, saving the output file to a "shared drive." Works like a charm.

Rick

Can you please expand on this?

 

[Pc Fixed Right]

No, but you can run it on an image made into a virtual machine. If a machine is dead, we use d2vhd, or lately Paragon Go Virtual to make a virtual machine, then run PC Mover on the VM, saving the output file to a "shared drive." Works like a charm.

Rick

Excellent idea

 

[MobileTechie]

I was under the impression the original OS was broken. Why would it start working when virtualised? Or have I missed the point totally?

 

[red12049]

I was under the impression the original OS was broken. Why would it start working when virtualised? Or have I missed the point totally?

Chuckling....Had to go back and read the original to refresh my memory. No, you haven't missed the point completely.

If the OS is completely dead, it won't magically come back to life in a VM. However, you can do anything in a VM that you can do on a normal system, including a repair install. It really depends on how important those original programs are to the client (ie: how much he is willing to pay).

Rick

 

[MobileTechie]

Oh yeah good point. I must look into this. Sounds pretty useful.

I'm downloading Paragon Go Virtual as I write.

 

[PC Ops]

Oh yeah good point. I must look into this. Sounds pretty useful.

I'm downloading Paragon Go Virtual as I write.

Same here!
I'll be trying this shortly! Sounds very useful. This is what I like so much about Technibble. So many techies all having our own ways and tricks and willing to share our knowledge and help eachother out on the most diverse problems

Okay... I'll stop before it gets to sentimental

 

[Martyn]

Looks good, downloaded and transferring an OS to Virtualbox as I type, thanks

 

[Pc Fixed Right]

I must be doing something wrong as my virtual machine tells me there is no OS found. I turned my own machine into a virtual one but it won't boot lol....

I used Paragon Go Virtual than VM Player to load it but its a no go as of right now

 

[allanc]

No, but you can run it on an image made into a virtual machine. If a machine is dead, we use d2vhd, or lately Paragon Go Virtual to make a virtual machine, then run PC Mover on the VM, saving the output file to a "shared drive." Works like a charm.

Rick

I used Paragon Go Virtual and a file with a 'vmdk' extension was created.
When I run the import wizard in Virtual Box it is looking for a 'ovf' extension and ignores the 'vmdk' created by Paragon.
Also, if I rename the vmdk suffix to ovf Virtual Box gets an error when it tries to import.
I am in somewhat of an emergency situation in terms of time.
All assistance is greatly appreciated.

 

[PC Ops]

I used Paragon Go Virtual and a file with a 'vmdk' extension was created.
When I run the import wizard in Virtual Box it is looking for a 'ovf' extension and ignores the 'vmdk' created by Paragon.
Also, if I rename the vmdk suffix to ovf Virtual Box gets an error when it tries to import.
I am in somewhat of an emergency situation in terms of time.
All assistance is greatly appreciated.

How about making a Virtual Disk using Disk2VHD (Sysinternals) and then use Virtualbox or MS Virtual PC. That should work.
(If you're using Windows 7 you can attach the virtualized drive to make it appear as a real drive: go to Disk Management => Actions => attach VHD. If it's a client's HD then perhaps you'd better use a testing environment )

Strange though.... Virtualbox should be fine with the VMDK format

 

[allanc]

How about making a Virtual Disk using Disk2VHD (Sysinternals) and then use Virtualbox or MS Virtual PC. That should work.
(If you're using Windows 7 you can attach the virtualized drive to make it appear as a real drive: go to Disk Management => Actions => attach VHD. If it's a client's HD then perhaps you'd better use a testing environment )

Strange though.... Virtualbox should be fine with the VMDK format

I did not notice the small .ovf file that was also created
so, I did not transfer it to the computer running Virtual Box.
Now when I start the client in Safe mode ... it seems to run.
When I start in regular Windows (XP PRO sp3) I get a page fault.
I have to determine which service (in regular Windows) is causing the error.
Do you have any suggestions as to how to quickly (efficiently) track it down?