Reinstall Windows XP.. What might I need?

[AnalogOldguy]

Hello,

I was going to put this message in Maintainance of Way, but it involves all three of my Trainz programs... My searches did not get me an answer to this.

I have Trainz 2004 Sp4, 2006 Sp1, and Trainz Classics 1&2, all on a computer with three partitons. The Windows XP Pro OS (on partition C) has gotten infected with a Trojan, which is basically not too destructive, but cannot be removed completely by my antivirus. (the other partitons, D: and E: do not show infections)

I am thinking about reformating only the C: drive and reinstalling all three Trainz programs to D: where they are now.

I have the 2006 and TC local folders burned to DVD. And the 2004 World folder also. Along with a folder where I download all the assets for 2004.

Could somone tell if there are any more files I need to backup for this project? And when I reinstall all the Trainz, do the Local and World folders get overwritten with an empty folder?

I know that the assets.tdx and assets.bku might need deleting on 2006 and TC (or should I save my current ones)?. In 2004, I don't know how it will import the stuff in the World folder, or the seperate 2004 download asset storage folder I have.(I have 2004 set to download to this on E)

Thanks much for any help! Robert P.

 

[Corporal_Major]

If you are only reformatting the C partition and have all your Traiz in another partition you shouldn't need to uninstall or reinstall.

You can go into the program and find the bin folder which contains all the launchers and just send a copy to the desktop.

Otherwise I think you have backed up all you need.

Ron

 

[nawlins]

Hi Robert P. Sounds like you have it pretty well covered.
Just a couple of suggestions.
For importing your TRS2004 archives use TrainzObjects.
Select "Dispatcher files/install .cdp files" from the menu.
(You do have TO I hope. If not Google for it and DL it. It's free).
Also, if you have changed your trainzoptions.txt file in any of your versions of Trainz, then make a copy of it. It will save having to remember what you added/changed.

Good Luck!

Cheers

 

[bird_d00]

But if he re-installs windows he will loose all his registry settings won't he. Just been through all this myself !

Dave Bird

 

[AnalogOldguy]

Hello back to everybody, (sorry it took a while, I am using a computer at my local library, don't feel like running mine too much).

Corporal Major's idea is new to me. Find the bin folder and copy it to the desktop. (each Trainz has its' own bin folder?) What do I do, cilick on it and it will install stuff in the registry pointing to the Trainzes in the other partition?

I'm a little bit concerned, like bird d00 is, about what's going to make all the registry settings ?

Nawlins, I was using Trainz Objects with 2004, but did not know that it could be used for re-commiting stuff. And I will be looking for those trainzoptions.txt files you mentioned. I hope I have the TrainzObjectz program to reinstall from my E drive.

Right now, I am reviewing how to reformat the C drive. I last did it a long time ago and have forgotten. Looks like (1) boot up the XP disc, press any key (2) 'Enter' or F8 to enter the Windows install (3) D to delete the current partition, confirm with L (4) C to format the drive

Man, I hope I don't delete all the partitions !!! Bob P.

 

[VinnyBarb]

Hello back to everybody, (sorry it took a while, I am using a computer at my local library, don't feel like running mine too much).

Corporal Major's idea is new to me. Find the bin folder and copy it to the desktop. (each Trainz has its' own bin folder?) What do I do, cilick on it and it will install stuff in the registry pointing to the Trainzes in the other partition?

I'm a little bit concerned, like bird d00 is, about what's going to make all the registry settings ?

Nawlins, I was using Trainz Objects with 2004, but did not know that it could be used for re-commiting stuff. And I will be looking for those trainzoptions.txt files you mentioned. I hope I have the TrainzObjectz program to reinstall from my E drive.

Right now, I am reviewing how to reformat the C drive. I last did it a long time ago and have forgotten. Looks like (1) boot up the XP disc, press any key (2) 'Enter' or F8 to enter the Windows install (3) D to delete the current partition, confirm with L (4) C to format the drive

Man, I hope I don't delete all the partitions !!! Bob P.

If you copy your backup to the Desk Top, this will be lost when reformatting windows, unless you back up your "Document and Settings" folder (usually on the drive/partition your Windows is installed) to a different partition/drive and re transfer the Desktop folder back on to your new install where it was previously. Not all the data in this folder can be backed up, Windows usually complains when any of the data is in use but the main components like DeskTop, Favorites etc. in it can be copied.

Registries can be backed up (exported) with/through "RegEdit" (in your windows root folder) and re imported with it into your new Windows install. This is sometimes a two edged sword as some things still could go pear shaped or belly up but in general as a last resort it will work. If you DO NOT import the registry, generally you have to reinstall all programs who do write to the registry when installing them (Adobe, ACDC, PaintShopPro, Asset Creating Studio, GMax, 3DS Max etc. among these). They are the ones with serial numbers etc. required when installing these or these programs will not work again..

If your TRS/TS installs are on any other drive/partition than Windows, no need to back it up. If any of the TRS programs do not work after reinstalling Windows, only one TRS or TS needs to be re installed for ALL TRS or TS installs to work again (happened to me too) unless you reimport your backed up registry settings again.

Also, with a new Windows install you have to tell Windows where all your installed hardware install info is (usually on their own install CDs or DVDs) unless Windows automatically finds these compoments and installs these from the Windows CD. But sound cards/chips, motherboard installs, video cards etc. usually are best with their own install CD/DVD to install and updated after installing with new drivers from the INet.

If your Windows install is corrupt, sometimes it can be repaired. When installing Windows anew, point it to the current Windows directory and you will get to be asked to press "R" to repair it. Then Windows will reinstall corrupted files over the old installation without you needing to reinstall any of your other PC drivers, unless asked by Windows.

I use this "repair" option as a first option when my own Windows install does not work anymore as it should. If this does not completely fix my problem, I can still format and install Windows fresh. Not knowing if a virus done your Windows damage or is still residing on your partition(s)/drive(s) the above is just a general help as the only solution to remove a virus that can not get removed by your own anti virus software is to reformat and reinstall Windows.

Get information of a particular virus and how to remove it from the INet first as some viren (viruses) can be removed with tools or utilities from anti virus companies without having to reformat your partitions/drives.

Cheers and good luck

VinnyBarb

 

[VinnyBarb]

I forgot to say, on a new Windows install, any Windows updates, DirectX updates and new video card drivers will be needed to install/upgrade for TRS to work correctly as well as most likely any patches/upgrades to the original TRS/TS installs are needed to be applied again.

Also re reading your first post re your Trojan which you say can not completely be removed, read up on the INet ALL you can find out about this particular Trojan and how to remove it completely. If this can be done with some tools or utilities, try these first unless you already know this is impossible to do.

I for example had the "Recycler" virus residing on some hard disk partitions, all the info I got was to reformat etc. Once I found out this resides in the System Information folder and gets replicated again when doing a system restore, I deleted all of the System Restore data to zero and set my system restore option to "not to restore" and consequently not to add any data at all to it, including the "Recycler" virus and deleting all instances of the Recyler folders on my partitions/hard disks, I finally got rid of it. After checking with a particular tool for it, no traces were found anymore.

What I am trying to say with this, sometimes using your "grey matter" can often save a lot of extra work

Cheers

VinnyBarb

 

[AnalogOldguy]

Hi Back to you all, and VinnyBarb also,

(Friday) I have formatted the C , reinstalled Windows and drivers, browser, firewall and so on.

Checked all partitons with anti virus. Nothing bad showing up. (I even installed an old Sound Blaster card I've had for a while to see if I can fix up my sound problem with 2006).

All the Trainzes are still residing on my D, along with all the Locals and Worlds and so on. Just not connected to Windows right now. I have to go out right now, but will most likely be back here tomorrow...

VinnyBarb, I did research the Trojan. Went to safe mode.Turned off system restore, turned off a few Windows services, updated the AV, ran it in safe mode. No luck. The next step was to go into regedit and remove a bunch of junk. Too much for me! I am too old for that kind of hassle!:hehe: Robert P.

 

[AnalogOldguy]

OK, This is the countdown !

:wave: Hello!

Well, I have re-backed the two Locals and the World, and Trainz options files into folders on the hard drive....

I looked into the Bin folder of Trainz 2004 I saw that it has all the shortcuts and .dlls (I swear it was only for the 2004 program, but you fellas say that if I "install" one program from that Bin folder, it will put the other two Trainzes back into action.

So, (just a little more patience please) could someone kindly suggest which version's Bin folder would be best to put on the Desktop? I know that you said any one? Just want to be sure....

And when I open up the Bin folder, what kind of thingy should I click on?

After this I will be so happy and go for rides in my Trains again! And look at the nice scenery, stations, industries and so on!!! And people too!

Signed, Analogoldguy.

 

[VinnyBarb]

I am not quite sure what you are referring to but my guess is, you want a shortcut on your desktop to execute your TRS04 program, in other words, you want to start it from a desktop shortcut icon?

If so, rightclick your TRS04.exe file and and drag it to your desktop while in the menu opening select "Create Shortcut here" (on the desktop) and that is that. If this is not what you are after, please disregard.

I stated above that if after your new reinstall of Windows your TRS/TS versions are not working as they have no registry info in your registry, then after reinstalling one version of TRS all other versions should work (from their own relevant .exe or shortcut). This happened to me after I had to reinstall recently my WinXP fresh.

Cheers

VinnyBarb

 

[AnalogOldguy]

If you are only reformatting the C partition and have all your Traiz in another partition you shouldn't need to uninstall or reinstall.

You can go into the program and find the bin folder which contains all the launchers and just send a copy to the desktop.

Otherwise I think you have backed up all you need.

Ron

--------------------------------------------------------------------
VinnyBarb, this is what Corporal Major said . I don't totally understand it though.

For instance, if I go to the Trainz 2006 folder and find the bin folder and I copy it to the desktop, don't I have to click some Launcher? (I saw a Launcher while looking through the 2006 directory. I don't quite understand installing Trainz like this, but I would like to learn it.

And maybe it's non-destructive and will leave all my stuff as it is. I also do not know if installing from a disk will overwrite my Local and so on... I really appreciate the help from you all, so I will wait for a bit more information!

Thanks again! Bob P.

 

[j_maybury]

Bob,
They are talking about the same thing, it's just that VinnyBarb, explains it slightly better than Corporal Major.

 

[AnalogOldguy]

Ok then folks, I am going to as VinnyBarb said, right-click the TRS2004.exe in my D: drag it to the desktop. some menu is going to make available "create shortcut here" (I have never done this before (on the desktop) and that should be that. The program is then reinstalled.

Nobody has said I have to reinstall anything from a disk. Ok so I'll do it, drag the exe. to the desktop.

Never underestimate the stupidity of a newbie (me). Thanks again, I'll report back..... Bob P.

 

[AnalogOldguy]

Oh Wonderful Joyful Happiness !!!

Hello once again!:wave:

I dragged, I created the shortcut, my Trainz 2004 is back again, with all my stuff. Much happiness here.

In my newbie kind of way, I kind of expected icons for 2006 and TC to show up on the desktop, but they never did (even after a reboot). But I can see the routine, drag the 2006.exe to the desktop and the TC....

Also, the 2004 doesn't show up in the "all programs list" in Windows. But maybe this is good? (no mess up in the registry?)

Thanks once again! Bob P.:clap:

Later on... Trainz 2006 also went in perfectly. TC would not,( dll's missing), guess I'll have to install that from DVD. Thanks again to all who helped me. A great learning experience! Robert P.