Old Program Removal

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stuckmoto - 30 Jan 2005 15:31 GMT

I just installed XP(over 98SE). How do I go about removing old programs in my
Program Files Folder?

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stuckmoto - 30 Jan 2005 15:39 GMT

> I just installed XP(over 98SE). How do I go about removing old programs in my
> Program Files Folder? When I go to "Remove Programs" only XP Service Pack2 is listed...

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Rick \ - 30 Jan 2005 15:55 GMT

Hi,

If they are not registered in the new installation (IE: you did a clean
separate installation), just delete the program folders. Otherwise, you
should still be able to use Add & Remove in the control panel to uninstall
them (recommended if you upgraded an existing installation).

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Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone
www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

>I just installed XP(over 98SE). How do I go about removing old programs in
>my
> Program Files Folder?

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Bill Ridgeway - 30 Jan 2005 16:22 GMT

Why did you install WindowsXP over Windows98? There may be a good reason.

I always suggest that it is better to install an operating system onto a
reformatted hard disk. If the hard disk contains important data files which
have not been backed up this is best done on another hard disk. In this way
the original (now D: drive) becomes a store of everything (warts and all)
and the new hard disk has a clean install devoid of any clashes between two
operating systems and redundant files.

Regards.

Bill Ridgeway
Computer Solutions

>I just installed XP(over 98SE). How do I go about removing old programs in
>my
> Program Files Folder?

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Ken Blake - 30 Jan 2005 19:14 GMT

> Why did you install WindowsXP over Windows98? There may be a
> good
> reason.
> I always suggest that it is better to install an operating
> system
> onto a reformatted hard disk.

You may suggest that, but many of us disagree with you. Unlike
with previous versions of Windows, an upgrade to XP replaces
almost everything, and usually works very well.
My recommendation is to at least try the upgrade, since it's much
easier than a clean installation. You can always change your mind
and reinstall cleanly if problems develop.

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Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup

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Jeff Gaines - 30 Jan 2005 19:33 GMT

> > Why did you install WindowsXP over Windows98? There may be a
> > good
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> easier than a clean installation. You can always change your mind
> and reinstall cleanly if problems develop.

Except it may be too late by then :-(

I went the u/g route from W2K to XP. I had Intel Application
Accelerator installed on W2K as I had 2 x 160GB HD's. On the first
reboot XP ran chkdsk on the first 160GB drive and trashed it, thought
it was 137 GB. I managed to stop it before it did the same to the
second drive.

It may be better with SP2 slip streamed but I don't trust the u/g route
- nor unattended installs. If XP tries to check a disk before you
absolutely know it recognises large drives you need to be there to stop
it.

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Jeff Gaines
Posted with XanaNews 1.17.1.2

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Jupiter Jones [MVP] - 30 Jan 2005 20:31 GMT

Jeff;
The upgrade may still be best.
If there is another data drive, I normally disconnect it so there is no
possibility of trouble.
That could have prevent the problem whether you were there or not.
Also if the data was lost, you can always restore from your back-ups.

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Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/

>> > Why did you install WindowsXP over Windows98? There may be a
>> > good
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
> absolutely know it recognises large drives you need to be there to stop
> it.

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Jeff Gaines - 30 Jan 2005 20:53 GMT

> Jeff;
> The upgrade may still be best.
> If there is another data drive, I normally disconnect it so there is
> no possibility of trouble.
> That could have prevent the problem whether you were there or not.
> Also if the data was lost, you can always restore from your back-ups.

My real concern is that this is a new users group who, if advised to do
an upgrade, will just expect it to work. I'm not sure if advising new
users to disconnect drives, or expecting them to have backups, is
practical. During an upgrade some critical drivers will not be upgraded.

The reality is there are 'gotchas' and perhaps we ought to be a bit
more open about them.

I have kept a total of four backups since I discovered what rm* means
in Linux, I had my Windows source drive mounted in the current
directory at the time, that was an experience, Linux doesn't say 'are
you sure' :-)

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Jeff Gaines
Posted with XanaNews 1.17.1.2

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Jupiter Jones [MVP] - 31 Jan 2005 00:16 GMT

If important data is involved. regular back-ups are vital.
ALL users need to be prepared for hard drive failure etc since it is not a
matter of "if" but "When".
Starting to think about back-ups after a catastrophic loss is a bad time.

Keeping back-ups of important data is simple and not beyond the capabilities
of even the newest user.

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Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/

"Jeff Gaines" <whitedragon@newsgroup.nospam> wrote in message > My real
concern is that this is a new users group who, if advised to do

> an upgrade, will just expect it to work. I'm not sure if advising new
> users to disconnect drives, or expecting them to have backups, is
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> directory at the time, that was an experience, Linux doesn't say 'are
> you sure' :-)

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