Format Harddrive yet keep some programs?

[SSJpn]

Can i do something like this?

Partition hard drive to 2 partitions

c: = OS
D: = My personal files (mp3, videos, Word .doc and Program Files ie- install all programs to D:\Program Files)

Now if i format C: and reinstall the OS can i still run the programs on the D: drive?

ALSO

I understand that some programs make entries to the registry, if i make backups of these entries before formatting and enter them into the registry after the clean reinstall THEN would it work?

 

[edfair]

If you use partition magic, you can create the partitions you wish on the fly. It won't require reformatting.
Moving the programs to the D: will be more of a task. Best to delete then reinstall. Tweaking the registry to effect the move can lead to major difficulties. Ed Fair
efair@atlnet.com

Any advice I give is my best judgement based on my interpretation of the facts you supply.

Help increase my knowledge by providing some feedback, good or bad, on any advice I have given.

 

[tempo21]

you are bound to have registry problems here. Try to back up all data (CDR is ideal) and then re-format and install. Any other way (apart from partition magic) might be problematic.

What are your reasons for formatting anyway ?? T3/\/\p()
tek-tips regular.
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[SSJpn]

I want to reformat to start clean slate again.

 

[edfair]

Then you don't need any extra programs. Do your backup, then reboot with your emergency boot disk, run fdisk and delete the partition then create a new primary of the size you want and a secondary using the rest. Drive D: will be created, then format both. Ed Fair
efair@atlnet.com

Any advice I give is my best judgement based on my interpretation of the facts you supply.

Help increase my knowledge by providing some feedback, good or bad, on any advice I have given.

 

[hotfusion]

I would suggest NOT installing programs to D: It is not necessary or a good idea. Keep all programs, O/S included on C: and use D: for data only. There would be a benefit here.
Also set your virtual mem to min = max = 300Mb on C: after installing Windows and the drivers. My suggestions are what I would try myself. If incorrect, I welcome corrections to my rather limited knowledge. Andy.

 

[frosty423]

Copying ALL the registry entries of ONE program is a chore, let alone several. I would simply format c: and reinstall my sys, then reinstall the programs (D: drive) to re-enter the ini's and registry entires.