How to save all username and passwords of one computer

On Sun, 06 Jul 2008 08:04:15 -0700,when reading
"microsoft.public.windowsxp.customize", I'm certain I caught a glimpse
of ""Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain>" saying:

>On Sun, 06 Jul 2008 13:30:23 +1000, Erik Vastmasd
><erik.vastm@sd.invalid> wrote:
>
>> On Sat, 5 Jul 2008 06:53:13 -0400,when reading
>> "microsoft.public.windowsxp.customize", I'm certain I caught a glimpse
>> of "Stan Brown <the_stan_brown@fastmail.fm>" saying:
>>
>> >Thu, 03 Jul 2008 20:08:45 +1000 from Erik Vastmasd
>> ><erik.vastm@sd.invalid>:
>> >> I always install my
>> >> browsers, programmes and especially email programme, news reader etc. on
>> >> D: drive. So when I need to re-install WinXP I don't lose any of my
>> >> programme settings which includes my usernames and passwords.
>> >
>> >You don't lose *all* of them, maybe, but you probably lose some and
>> >most likely you lose most.
>> >
>> >Few Windows programs these days write configuration information to
>> >the program directory. most write either to the Registry or to
>> >subfolders of C:\Documents and Settings\{your login}. You can move
>> >Documents and Settings to another drive, but there's nothing you can
>> >do about the registry except back it up.
>>
>> Just as an example on D: I have Opera as my browser, Eudora for email
>> and Agent for news groups.

In the above example I only mentioned three specific programmes that I
install on D: drive. I also have Chameleon Clock on D: which also
retains it's setting though it needs to be re-installed when I format C:
and re-install the operating system. UltraEdit is another on D: which
never requires re-installing.

Others such as the anti virus programme NOD32, the firewall Sygate,
MailWasher, Word 97 and the media player WinAmp didn't retain their
settings when I previously installed them on D; so now when I format C:
and re-install the operating system I install them on C: drive.

My E: drive is quite large and is where I store binaries, media and
music.

When I've run a dual boots it was convenient being able to access my
programmes on D: or music on E: from all operating systems.

I've visited<http://www.computorcompanion.com/LPMArticle.asp?ID=326>
which I thought was excellent but still happy with my own PCs setup.

I'm aware of the importance of backups but I never backup C: because if
something goes wrong I'll lose nothing of importance. All I require from
Windows is to be able to run my computers and connect to the Internet.
I don't use Outlook Express, Messenger, Media Player etc.
I use IE6 every second week to go to Windows Update but use Windows
Explorer often. :-)
"My Documents" is always moved to D: "Archives".
All my downloads go to D: "Attic".

I backup everything on D: to an external hard disk every day and I
alternate between two external hard disks.

E: "My Music" doesn't often change so has infrequent backups.

>> When I re-install WinXP on C: all my passwords and settings for those
>> three programmes remain intact
>
>Yes, there are some programs like that, and others that are the
>opposite, as Stan said. The point is that you can not rely on all, or
>even most, programs to behave that way, so installing programs on a
>separate drive does not generally provide the benefit you ascribe to
>it.

My operating system can be re-installed from original CD in a couple of
hours and most of my important programmes can be run immediately the
re-install of my operating system is complete.
--

Erik.

On Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:16:47 +1000, Erik Vastmasd
<erik.vastm@sd.invalid> wrote:

> On Sun, 06 Jul 2008 08:04:15 -0700,when reading
> "microsoft.public.windowsxp.customize", I'm certain I caught a glimpse
> of ""Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain>" saying:

> >> When I re-install WinXP on C: all my passwords and settings for those
> >> three programmes remain intact
> >
> >Yes, there are some programs like that, and others that are the
> >opposite, as Stan said. The point is that you can not rely on all, or
> >even most, programs to behave that way, so installing programs on a
> >separate drive does not generally provide the benefit you ascribe to
> >it.
>
> My operating system can be re-installed from original CD in a couple of
> hours and most of my important programmes can be run immediately the
> re-install of my operating system is complete.



That's fine. I'm not suggesting that you change what you're doing. If
that works for you and *your* programs, fine. My point is that it will
not work for most people and *their* programs.

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

On Mon, 07 Jul 2008 10:09:32 -0700,when reading
"microsoft.public.windowsxp.customize", I'm certain I caught a glimpse
of ""Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain>" saying:

>On Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:16:47 +1000, Erik Vastmasd
><erik.vastm@sd.invalid> wrote:
>
>> On Sun, 06 Jul 2008 08:04:15 -0700,when reading
>> "microsoft.public.windowsxp.customize", I'm certain I caught a glimpse
>> of ""Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain>" saying:
>
>> >> When I re-install WinXP on C: all my passwords and settings for those
>> >> three programmes remain intact
>> >
>> >Yes, there are some programs like that, and others that are the
>> >opposite, as Stan said. The point is that you can not rely on all, or
>> >even most, programs to behave that way, so installing programs on a
>> >separate drive does not generally provide the benefit you ascribe to
>> >it.
>>
>> My operating system can be re-installed from original CD in a couple of
>> hours and most of my important programmes can be run immediately the
>> re-install of my operating system is complete.
>
>That's fine. I'm not suggesting that you change what you're doing. If
>that works for you and *your* programs, fine. My point is that it will
>not work for most people and *their* programs.

Thanks, I've got your point now. Sorry for my misunderstanding.
--

Erik.

On Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:29:10 +1000, Erik Vastmasd
<erik.vastm@sd.invalid> wrote:

> On Mon, 07 Jul 2008 10:09:32 -0700,when reading
> "microsoft.public.windowsxp.customize", I'm certain I caught a glimpse
> of ""Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain>" saying:
>
> >On Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:16:47 +1000, Erik Vastmasd
> ><erik.vastm@sd.invalid> wrote:
> >
> >> On Sun, 06 Jul 2008 08:04:15 -0700,when reading
> >> "microsoft.public.windowsxp.customize", I'm certain I caught a glimpse
> >> of ""Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain>" saying:
> >
> >> >> When I re-install WinXP on C: all my passwords and settings for those
> >> >> three programmes remain intact
> >> >
> >> >Yes, there are some programs like that, and others that are the
> >> >opposite, as Stan said. The point is that you can not rely on all, or
> >> >even most, programs to behave that way, so installing programs on a
> >> >separate drive does not generally provide the benefit you ascribe to
> >> >it.
> >>
> >> My operating system can be re-installed from original CD in a couple of
> >> hours and most of my important programmes can be run immediately the
> >> re-install of my operating system is complete.
> >
> >That's fine. I'm not suggesting that you change what you're doing. If
> >that works for you and *your* programs, fine. My point is that it will
> >not work for most people and *their* programs.
>
> Thanks, I've got your point now. Sorry for my misunderstanding.


Not a problem.

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup