installing ZAR, where?

[Soterios]

I accidentally did system recovery instaed of system restore. Computer is as it was bought from the store. You say I cannot install Zar on my computer because of overwrtes. I don't have another machine. Should I take the chance and install on this comp. Any suggestions?

[Alexey V. Gubin]

Typically best option is to get the drive out, then attach it to another known-working system (borrowed from someone) and recover from there. Or, add an another drive to the same system, install a side-by-side Windows on that additional hard drive, and run from there.

[Soterios]

Thanks. Could I use an external drive that connects to USB on my computer or a stick etc. What would you suggest? My computer still works bu did a system recovery instaed of a system restore, so it went back to the time it was bought of the shelf therefore it formatted itself to that point. I cannot acces a restore point prior to that. Any suggestions? By the way it all started with downloading Windows SP3. Beware, Microsoft uses us as guinea pigs to test their own software and gives no support in return.

Thanks and regards to all

[Alexey V. Gubin]

Reasonably speaking, use the same Windows, install ZAR onto the external drive (USB, Firewire, or whatever). When you start copying files, MAKE SURE that files you are recovering are going onto external drive as well. Keep writes to the original volume at minimum.

[Soterios]

Thanks Alexey, I copied the recovered files onto the external drive. Unfortunately I had to install it to the computer 'cause I purchased it for this reason. I can rebuild and download some programs. I particularly need the setting I had in Outlook express and IE7 and my files etc. I am at the windows explorer and was wondering the best way to transfer the files back to the hard drive. Should I copy drag them into the C-drive? I can't mess it up any worse except it will be doing a lot of writing to the hard drive.
Thanks

[Alexey V. Gubin]

You should review these files on the external drive, before you move them back to the original drive. Once you move the files back to where the originals were, you cannot retry the recovery any more. If you are reasonably sure the files are recovered in good condition, then there is no difference which way you move the files back to the disk.

[softguy]

Hi,

In regards to this;

Or, add an another drive to the same system, install a side-by-side Windows on that additional hard drive, and run from there.

If I want to help my friend out with his drive, is it possible to use my Hard drive with XP and connect this to his motherboard on an xtra IDE or serial ATA connector even though my XP was activated with the hardware on my computer?


thanks

[Alexey V. Gubin]

You get his drive out of his machine; attach it to your working XP installation. This way, your system works as at always did, and you need no reactivation.

If for some reason it is not possible to get his drive out, preferred option is to add a blank hard drive and make a new side-by-side install. When done, you just dispose that installation.

I'd rather avoid moving the working XP installation around - you will have to reactivate twice, and it is possible (depending on what drivers are required) that your Windows installation will refuse to boot outside its original machine.

[softguy]

thanks for the info