Installing new programs

Who hasn't been there? All those programs out there - just waiting for you to try out. Its just to tempting sometimes to say "NO!". Full of enthusiasm, you click on the install icon..... and a few days later you find out that you don't need it! Or it slummers somewhere on the computer, because although you "really" needed it, you haven't used it for a couple of months.

What happens if you have reformatted your hard drive? Which programs did you have before? What do you need to do, to achieve the same stand as you did before reformatting?

Who hasn't faced these questions? Here are a few tips to help you along the way. Start as soon as you can, you'll need to get into the habit of it. The best time to start is when you install windows for the first time on a new computer.

Get hold of a notebook, I don't mean a computer notebook, I mean one of those collection of blank papers. And something to write with. You are going to keep a log of your computer. Even those hard core computerists should take a plain old fashioned notebook for the very simple reason - you'll need this book in case your computer has problems! If the information is stored on the computer and its broke - how are you going to access it?

This notebook is going to be your log book. In this book you will write down every time you make changes to your system, add or remove software.

When do you make an entry? Every time you change a setting on a program or on the system and every time you install, update or uninstall a program. And every time you have a problem. And note down the solution when you find it. Will save you a lot of time when you face the same thing again.

Installing programs

Date: Installed MSN Messenger
Install files:C:\downloads\microsoft\internet\mmssetup.exe
Username: urhotmailid@hotmail.com
password *******
Note: Uninstalled qmgr files n folders, removed qmgr.exe from startup.

You need to record the date it was installed, the dates you updated - where you updated from. Where the install files are stored. where the update files are stored and when you uninstalled it - and why! Write down the serial no. too, if applicable.

Always back up the registry BEFORE installing a new software.

Once you have a log with serial #s and locations of your install files, you will find it easy to restore your computer. You can set up all the CDs you need and have one piece of paper with all the info you need to install.

System changes

Make sure you document what you did. If you changed registry entries, note down which entry you changed from what and why.

Before making changes in the registry ALWAYS back up the registry. If you have replaced system files, then FIRST save a copy of the old files in a different folder before replacing. Constantly save the changed files to a removable drive like a floppy diskette or CD ROM. I wish the software makers would all have a printout at the end of installing their software, detailing all the changes made, files added, folders created, etc. It would be a great help when you remove the program. You could get rid of all excess files that a program does not automatically remove on uninstall. Most program leave files with user information on the computer. And hardly ever remove the registry entries completely. If you constantly add and uninstall programs to your computer, sooner or later you will have to do a reformat just to get rid of all the rubbish that has accumulated. Sad but true.

Install Logs and System Monitors

Programs installed using an install such as Microsoft's installer or setup shield often leave install logs in the program's folder.  You can read these files to gain a basic knowledge of what has been installed, removed or modified, including registry entries.  DO NOT edit or remove these files, they are often used by the uninstaller to reverse the changes later on.

Some software exists too, that monitors changes to your pc and documents it for later use when something goes wrong.  The advantages of running these are that it monitors all program installs, it monitors EVERY part of the install, and if you tell this software to remove the program, it will reverse everything it did previously (only those which are safe to change).  The disadvantage is that they permanently run and hence use resources.