How do I "reverse install" software?

[Fran]

Hi. Someone is going to donate a PC to our organization (don't know the brand yet). I asked him if he would give us a Master CD with it. He said, they don't make Master CD's anymore. I can't believe this! I don't know how to live without a Master CD.
He said he would install Windows 98 and some software we could use. What would be the next best thing to be able to restore the system in case of trouble? A "one step restore" backup software? (Any good one to suggest?) Or purchase Windows 98 CD + the software we need to be able to re-install?
Or, is there a way to copy newly installed software back onto floppy disks (CD?) before using it? The PC Guide mentions this in the section on Backup, but does not explain how this is done.

And finally, a question I've had on my mind for some time. Does anyone know of an application (freeware? shareware?) that would give you a list of all the files used by any program on your machine? Like, you want to know all the files used by a particular application.
Thanks a lot for any help.

[Rick]

Yes you will need a copy of win98/nn if that is what is installed on the system.
Anytime you make a change from the setup tab in install remove programs in win98 it Requires the win98 cd or at the cab files from the win98 disk to work correctly .

It is possible to do a complete system backup to a removable media ( Floppy,cdr,tape,hdd)
Depending of the media will determine what program you use.
A few cd-rw drives come with a backup software / restore option.
However a few of these require you to reinstall win98 before it is able to restore from the cd-r/w
If you check around you should be able to find one that will allow you to restore the system from the dos prompt.
I can’t give you a program for cd/r because I don’t use cd/rw for backup .
I use a Tape drive for all my backup and restore work.( Seagate Backup Exec)

If you have a hard drive you can spare or want to use as a clone this option may be the fastest.
Install the Hdd as slave to the original and clone the master to the slave.
Then remove the second drive and store it . Or better yet Just leave it installed and use it for nothing but backup.
Saving the system periodically to the slave drive in case of catastrophic drive failure of the master.


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To ERR is HUMAN
To REALLY screw things UP, YOU NEED a COMPUTER !

[Fran]

Thanks. What would a minimum size be for a slave HD drive?

[mjc]

A 2 to 4 gig should handle the backups (or "clones),if all you are going to put on it is the OS then maybe even a 1GB drive.

But as far I know...yes they make master CDs, either the "restore" disk that comes with an off the shelf computer or the original Windows installation disk that must be purchased when building a system from scratch. Not to rain on anyone's parade, but make sure you also get the original documentation and the label with the id number on it (or a copy of the license)...when transferring software all the documentation that originally came with it is supposed to be transferred also.

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.