[LiveBrianD]

I doubt a file would cause problems. However, programs might. If you're talking about a full disk image, don't restore it after a reinstall of Windows. If you're just talking about a file backup, I doubt that would cause problems.

[Aladar]

K.. but then if I'm going to reinstall all the programs I have right now, then wouldn't the problem still be here? Yeah I guess I'll back up all my documents, then reinstall this weekend.

[LiveBrianD]

It's possible that it's just something corrupted in the OS install itself, not your programs or anything.

[Aladar]

OK. Just another question, how can I back up a saved game file? I occasionally do some light gaming (so my current status has taken me a long time to build up). Thanks.

[LiveBrianD]

For what game? It's probably in your Documents folder or in the AppData folder.

[Aladar]

Yeah it's Lego Star wars 3. What kind of file is it?

[LiveBrianD]

For lego star wars the complete saga it's
C:\Users\ {login} \AppData\Local\LucasArts\LEGO Star Wars - The Complete Saga<br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; ">
So for Star Wars 3 I'm guessing it's similar (maybe C:\Users\ {login} \AppData\Local\LucasArts\LEGO Star Wars 3? Just guessing at that...).

[Aladar]

Ah I went to Local, found nothing, so went to roaming and got under the same thread GAME1.LEGOStarWarsIIISaveGameData

I just copy that file and that's it, right?

it was under C:\Users\[login]\AppData\Roaming\LucasArts\LEGOStarWarsIII\SavedGames\Slot1

[LiveBrianD]

Just to be safe, I would save all the stuff in C:\Users\[login]\AppData\Roaming\LucasArts\LEGOStarWarsIII.

[Aladar]

Alright, so just final check, all I have to back up are my documents plus the game stuff right? Also, how do I reinstall without a Windows disc? Thanks.

[LiveBrianD]

Documents, game saves, browser profile (if you have bookmarks in it you want to save), etc. Do NOT back up programs, as you need to use their installers to get those back. Use your recovery partition (you push a key at boot, it varies by PC).

[Aladar]

Hmm that doesn't give me a reinstall option, it's only if I have a previous system image. But there's this thing called Acer eBackup on my computer, and it gives an option to burn a disc so I think that's covered.

There's an option to reset Windows to factory defaults (I presume after burning a disc) in the menu of the program, and it says "this option will delete all files on C:/". However, my documents are not on C drive, they're on a separate partition (E) that I created just for documents, and the system and program stuff is on C. Does this mean my files won't be deleted during the reinstall?

[LiveBrianD]

Hopefully not, but I would DEFINITELY make a backup before continuing. I haven't used any manufacturer recovery programs myself, so I can't speak as to how they work specifically. (my desktops so far have been diy, and although I now have a non-diy machine, a lenovo laptop, I used a regular win7 iso to reinstall on that)

[Aladar]

Yeah I will definitely make the backup. So for now should I use the reset discs or should I use the windows 7 iso like you did?

[Aladar]

I just reinstalled Windows through acer erecovery. The system is much faster, almost good as new, but I STILL can't restart the computer. Any ideas?

[LiveBrianD]

This really stumps me. The only thing I can possibly think of is flashing the bios (WARNING: this is risky and there is a possibility of bricking the computer!!!!).

[Aladar]

Hmm, this is strange. Also every time I boot up I get a black screen with a single cmd prompt, which I must close before it shows the desktop. This has never happened before...

[techie4fun]

My suggestion would be to reinstall Windows. Boot into Ubuntu from live cd, copy your files (you can access Windows OS from there, find the correct folder C:/My Documents) and boot up Ubuntu's partition manager (this will require a reboot and another boot from CD) From there find your Windows partition, delete it, and reinstall Windows.

[coastie65]

Aladar, on 25 March 2012 - 07:35 PM, said:

Yeah got AMD Catalyst Mobility Download and Install Manager. It's currently downloading components.

How do I find out who made my motherboard?

Go into the BiOS F2 at strtup I believe and that information is there. You can also install www.belarcadvisor.com and it will tell you if I remember correctly.

[LiveBrianD]

techie4fun, on 11 April 2012 - 02:14 PM, said:

My suggestion would be to reinstall Windows. Boot into Ubuntu from live cd, copy your files (you can access Windows OS from there, find the correct folder C:/My Documents) and boot up Ubuntu's partition manager (this will require a reboot and another boot from CD) From there find your Windows partition, delete it, and reinstall Windows.

He just did that (from the recovery partition). I don't think he has a regular install disc.