PC CRASH!! Backup help.......

[broderp]

OK, here's the skinny:

I downloaed and attempted to install Windows XP SP2. I say attempted, because it trashed my PC, as in it would not boot in ANY MODE.

After 6 hours on line (on my laptop) I managed to use the XP recover console to UNINSTALL SP2, only to have a big blue screen of death pop up telling me it can't load my windows because of error c1000135, cant find WINSRV.DLL. So another hour passes and I finally wind up installing XP OVER my existing version, and FINALLY (after a few boot glitches I wont go into) got it to boot.

SAGE works fine, BUT my PC takes over 5 minutes to boot EVERY TIME I power it up. So it appears the quickest way to solve this issue is to "FORMAT C:"

SO.....I will be transfering all library show files, juke box MP3 and such to my other PC via my network. (I'm going to CLEAN UP all saved TV shows and delete or copy them to DVD/VCD on my other PC.

I know I need to save theWIZ.BIN and SAGE PROPERTIES so my settings will be remembered. I am using the DEFAULT SKIN. BUT if I reuse the WIZ.BIN file, will I not get errors as SAGE looks for these programs and they are NOT going to be there?

Also, anythig else I can do/need to do this right? I will be reading up as much as possible today and tomorrow.

THANKS.

[SHS]

After install besure sage is not runing and copy over the WIZ.BIN and SAGE PROPERTIES del the backup PROPERTIES and del backup BAK file oh make you you install rigth sage ver you had before.
It alway a good to save a backup BAK and AUTOBACKUP file that way you only need copy them over, over wirte all four file.
Note: Be sure to check your install path in the PROPERTIES file if dosen't match you have problem.
Like for Example it was install on E:\l
E\:\\Program Files\\Frey Technologies\\SageTV\\
so edited E:\ to C:\
C\:\\Program Files\\Frey Technologies\\SageTV\\

[Opus4]

You can actually keep all your current recordings too, if you want. See this FAQ entry & look at the last Q in that post.

- Andy

[stanger89]

FWIW, a couple of recommendations that may help you avoid, or at least mitigate, a similar situation in the future.

Install the OS/Apps only on C:, make it as small as you can, don't load it up with downloads, recordings, media, etc. My HTPC's C: is 4GB with about 2GB used.

Invest in an imaging program like Acronis True Image. Install it the first time Windows loads, and make an image. Then every time before you do a big update (install apps, drivers, service packs) image it again. That way if it goes wrong you can be back up in 5 minutes.

Now for personal preference:

Partitions are your friends, more is not worse.

Give Sage it's own partition to record do, don't put other stuff on it.

Give your media it's own partition. I have partitions for OS/apps, Sage Recordings, Downloads/misc crap, Music, Movies, Pictures. It's great, my stuff stays organized, and I can nuke-and-pave the C: drive whenever I want, I've done it many times and I never need to move any of my media.