drivers folder in windows

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turpieaj

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Feb 15, 2003
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Does every single driver that gets installed into windows actually sit in the drivers folder? - If im doing a reformat then would backing up the drivers folder onto usb key before wiping the hard drive save time faffing around with disks and bloating the hdd with crappy installation progs?

Andy
 
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Shorty

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Mar 11, 2004
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Not really sure Andy,

Even though there is a driver folder in c:\windows\system32\drivers, I'm not sure if it holds all the info for all the bits that need drivers. Also bear in mind that if some drivers are for hardware that uses software, you're gonna have to use the disk anyway.

If it was me and I couldn't find for 100%, I'd stick to the disk method.

I'm sure someone will be able to confirm it though, but I couldn't find anything on Google.

:wave:
 
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fugjostle

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Probably won't help backing them up matey because they need to be registered in the registry and associated with programs etc as well. Most programs, driver disks ect do the registration for you... it can be a pain in the ass doing it yourself. Also, not all programs install the drivers into the drivers directory if you did want to do it manually.
 
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RetroAndy

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fugjostle said:
Probably won't help backing them up matey because they need to be registered in the registry and associated with programs etc as well. Most programs, driver disks ect do the registration for you... it can be a pain in the ass doing it yourself. Also, not all programs install the drivers into the drivers directory if you did want to do it manually.
Click to expand...

I totally agree mate. Wish life was that simple eh :p

Done loads of formats over last few years and that would have come well in handy. I have learned though that preperation is the key to a successfull format. Make sure you have all the drivers first of all if possible or at least a list. Then a list of all programs you will be wanting reloading. Learnt loads of stuff like being able to import all your outlook express accounts and emails folders.

Good luck anyways bud.

Andy
 
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fugjostle

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RetroAndy said:
I have learned though that preperation is the key to a successfull format.
Click to expand...

Proper wise words :thumbsup:

I maintain a "system patches" directory which contains updates etc that are a pain to get when reinstalling. All my gfx, sound, mobo, AV, patches are stored in there. Plus the little things like iPod, usb, pda drivers. Also, things like SP2 for XP, SP2 for office, etc. I also try to keep a AV superdat from the last two months in there as well because installing a fresh copy of AV that needs over a years worth of updates can be very timeconsuming.

Takes no time to drop em in there but saves a hell of a lot of time when you need to reformat :)
 
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turpieaj

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sunshine on Leith, via Watford
Cheers dudes - wasn't for my pc at home - I just get a lot of requests to sort out peoples pcs at work, and a lot of the time they have misplaced the cds that come with the computer or the hardware they've had upgraded. I always make sure i make a list of the drivers needed in that case and pop over to driverguide at home to burn them to cd (works pcs are administrated and I would be castrated if I was d/ling 25meg graphic card files etc;) ).Its all a pain in the arse tbh and was just looking for a simpler less time consuming way as its always done in my lunch breaks (my record time so far for a reformat/reinstall with office and accessories is down to about 55mins now:thumbsup: )

toodle pip

Andy T
 


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