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What is process to make a CD copy of/with an existing desired application program on the PC that will allow a reinstall of the SW if needed?
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Do you want to make a copy of the entire C:\ partition (a disk image) that will allow you to recover that partition in the event of a disaster? Or do you want to just make a copy of a program CD so you have a backup copy of that application's install disk?
correctly, you are asking if you can make an instalation cd from a program that is installed on your computer, then the answer is NO.
Ok, more ignorance coming,
SO if I have a disaster and need to reinstall that app I must have a mfr install CD or buy the app again?
And, not knowing about 'backup your PC regularly' that I always read is important, what does doing a full backup do then? Just copy all my files and folders contents so they don't get lost in a disaster?
I've always merely made a CD or DVD copy of specific files that I don't want to risk losing.
Take a read of http://lifehacker.com/5303067/five-best-free-system-restore-tools
Armed with that you can restore the entire machine.
As to the software backup, why not duplicate your software install CD while you can?
Bob
But don't want to restore entire machine just one app. And I now know I should have bought the 'mail me the install CD version' instead of saving $10 buying the 'keylock download' version'.
Oh well, live/learn.
Thanks again,
Stephen2217
That's all that's needed.. Whenever I download a purchased software title from the internet, I make a copy of the downloaded file and burn it to a CD for later use if necessary.
Other than that, because program installers place files in a LOT of various folders, there's no safe way to make a backup of the program once it's installed on the computer.
Hope this helps.
Grif
...then all you need do (as Grif suggested) is make a copy of the file to another internal hard drive or to CD/DVD.
Here's what I do: I download everything to one folder (on this Vista system, that's C:\Users\Paul\Downloads). All installation keys (including the ones from CD/DVD install disks are entered in a Word Pad file I title "Software Serial Numbers" that I keep in C:\Users\Paul\Documents. In that file, I also enter all pertinent data for this system (serial number of the PC and all hardware I've installed into it, etc.). I then simply copy the C:\Users folder to a second internal hard drive and to a DVD. NOTE: C:\Users\ also has all our audio/video/picture files as well. The DVD is kept off site (at work) - just in case of a real disaster (fire, flood, etc.).
This does take a while to set up, Stephen, but once set up it takes less than an hour/week to update.
So, how to begin: Assemble all your disks and keys. Enter the keys to the Note Pad file and save it. Copy all your install disks using any one of a number of available programs. Copy all your downloaded installers to another CD/DVD.
Should you have issues retrieving keys, try two pieces of freeware: The Belarc Advisor available at http://www.belarc.com and the Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder available at http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/. With these, you should get most of your keys back. If you're still missing some, perhaps the maker of the software can assist you in retrieving the others.
Paul
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