Backing up games

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Brutus the Juggernaut

New Member
I recently decided to reformat my hard drive for the first time, and I have some questions. If I burn all of the files of the containing folder of a game (C:\Program Files\Activision\Call of Duty 2\) onto a disc, then take those files and put them on a different computer will the game run? I lost a couple of install discs (after installing the game, I lost the 6 install discs, and only kept the play disc) and want to back up some games. Also, if I where to burn the WINDOWS folder and other Windows components found in the Program Files to a disc in the same way, would that work? I am assuming not as you need Windows to be installed to open discs and such, but it is expensive to buy all of the games and Windows again.
 
What you're asking basically won't work. Whilst in some very few instances that may work (I know of a few games from the last 5 years where that did work), very broadly speaking there's a lot more to a game than what's contained within its installation folder (most obviously the registry).

In the same way, you cannot just copy files and expect Windows to work. It won't. If you're intending to format your drive, to reinstall Windows you need the correct installation disk, and to reinstall your games you'll need all the game disks. In the case of the games whose disks you've lost, I'm afraid it'll be a case of buying a new one.
 
That windows thing definetly wont work, im not totally sure about the games tho, you can try it but i dont think you will get very far!
 
Well, I was just given the idea to partition my drive, put Windows an dmy games on the partition and reformat the other partitio with everything else in it. That way it will also get rid of spyware and viruses....I think.
 
Partitioning a drive does not by any means make you immune to the effects of malware. Just think of it as rearranging a desk at the office, you've still got the same papers, whether they're in the left hand filing cabinet or the right one.

Judging from the fact that you don't have the disks to replace the things you'd be wiping, I would probably recommend not reformatting the disk, instead just do a bit of spring cleaning on it.
 
I would take everything that uses a disc, put it in the new partition, and wipe the other one. And since I am guessing any viruses/malware would be in folders not associated with windows, or anything I bought, it would get rid of it. I would only wipe stuff that I didnt buy, or that I downloaded, or things that I just dont use.
 
I'm not sure we're singing from the same hymn sheet here. You said you want to format (wipe) your hard drive, in doing so you lose Windows and the installed games. You're also talking about partitioning the drive, now it is possible to shrink a primary partition and create a second one in the free space, but that doesn't help you at all. Also, you say viruses won't attack Windows folders, well if you're not properly protected with a firewall then yes they will, regardless of which partition Windows is on.

I may just be dense at 1:50am, but I can't see how you can wipe your data, partition your hard drive, and save your Windows installation and games, all in one go. You can only have two of them.
 
You take your hard drive (A), partition it into two seperate drives (original harddrive A, new drive B), put windows, games, etc. in B, and reformat A. Since I do have a firewall, viruses wont be in Windows, nor malware. If I do have some, it will be in the original drive A, which will be wiped.
 
I think I understand your thinking now, but it doesn't quite work like that. If you want to preserve Windows and games while partitioning a hard drive, the only way to do it is to shrink the primary partition and create a second one in the gap. It's not possible to meticulously seperate a clean installation of Windows from the rest of the garbage that gets attached to it and port that across.

And I was talking about a firewall preventing you from having future attacks, firewalls don't do anything to alter things that are already on your machine.
 
I know, I have had a firewall for a long while, so viruses wont be an issue. And if I take the empty space not in use and make it a partition, wont that allow me to put stuff on the partition?
 
Ok good, I am going to use PartitionMagic and use the 25gb I have left to backup Windows. Also, I am supposed to have a 160gb hd, but when I go to run something like a defragger, it says I only have 145gb in my C:\ and like 4000mb in my D:\, where did the other 15 or so go?
 
You cannot "backup" Windows though, I thought I was clear on that. To make any greater alterations to the Windows installation than shrinking a partition, you need the Windows disk.

And with regards the missing 15GB, it's a very common mistake that people make, read this thread.
 
Basically what you're looking for is a procedure like this, just so we're clear. I'm altering the top drive in the pictures. In the software, you'll need to apply the changes in operations, and it'll require a restart to access the drive.

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Brutus the Juggernaut said:
Ok, then you just put whatever you want in the partition, and your done. Got it. Also, thanks for the forum link.
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Yes, you can put all your documents and bits and pieces that aren't Windows or game related in that new partition, and there are various ways of spring-cleaning the installation of Windows if you feel it's not running as it should, or is sluggish. And you're welcome. :)
 
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