Want to reformat Hard Drive but what should I do with UO ?

[popps]

Since my HD is a huge mess, I decided it was time to reformat it.

I am horrified, though, by having to redownload all of Ultima Online's patches both for the Classic and the Enhanced Clients.

Now, is there a way I could copy them onto an external drive so that I could paste them back onto the reformatted internal drive ?

Of course, since installation puts in some files or lines of commands into the Operating System (still Using Windows XP by the way), just copying the UO directories I doubt would work.....

Perhaps I need to do some particular copy Option ?

Anyone can share some advice ?

Thanks a lot for helping.

 

[LittleSkyWalker]

Copy paste work for me (2d client) also to copy paste the userdata under My Documents

If you use UOA you will need to download and install again

 

[popps]

Thanks, so all the personal customization for my characters is under the MyDocuments folder?

Also, I use UOAssist. In order not to loose all of my macros, what should I make sure to copy to then paste back after reformatting ?

I wished there was some handy utility which did all of my personal customization files searches for me and prompted me whether I wanted to copy them for later pasting and did it all by itself (search and copy) with a key pressing.......

 

[Barry Gibb]

Re: Wnat to reformat Hard Drive but what should I do with UO ?

Copy/pasting the UO directory does indeed work. You also want to be sure to grab the ..\Documents and Settings\(user)\My Documents\EA Games where your UI/Macros etc. are saved - not necessary but will save you time.

Getting your macros and character files off the HD beforehand is probably the best advice ever. UO reinstallation can be offset by a movie or other activity, but having to redo all of your character desktops and macros is pure torture.

Stayin Alive,

BG

 

[Wenchkin]

If the hard drive is a few years old, I wouldn't just go for a re-format, I'd get a brand new one (it's not expensive to get a fair bit of storage nowadays) and put it into your case on it's own. Then install Win XP on it. I tend to partition up bigger drives but you don't have to do that. But once XP is installed you can connect the old drive up again (either inside the case or in a USB external enclosure) then copy all your old files over. UO files and your desktop folders and you'll be fine.

After that your old drive becomes a spare backup copy of your system. Or you can format it and use it to hold music or whatever. I backed up my music files onto my old XP drive and I just plug it in via USB when I need it. But if you're thinking about a fresh system install, it's a good time to get a bigger and newer/faster drive if you can. I never like to run a drive to the point where it suddenly grinds to a stop with my data on it lol. But if the drive is just holding a second copy of your data when it dies, it's not a problem

Wenchy

 

[CovenantX]

Thanks, so all the personal customization for my characters is under the MyDocuments folder?

Yes, the way your interface is set up and your character specific macros should be located there.

Also, I use UOAssist. In order not to loose all of my macros, what should I make sure to copy to then paste back after reformatting ?

to save your UO-Assist Macros, copy the contents of your UOA-Settings folder, in your UOAssist directory.

I usually just reinstall UO from UOHerald site, and E-mail my saved macros (both UO & UOA) to myself, cut/paste into the proper directories from there, they work fine for me.


Edit: Took me about 40-60mins (total time) to download, install, & Patch UO 2d (CC) with Comcast about 3 weeks ago.

 

[Picus at the office]

I just installed it twice in the last few months on my main system and the wifes laptop. I installed it, started to patch and went to bed, it was done in the morning.

 

[Lynk]

Perhaps I need to do some particular copy Option ?

Anyone can share some advice ?

Thanks a lot for helping.

I'd suggest forgetting about UO and moving on.

You're welcome.

 

[Serine]

(still Using Windows XP by the way)

dont cost much upgrade to windows 7 . If you can afford it its my best bet

 

[Gorbs]

I'd be more worried about losing your macros than losing the patches. It took less than 20 minutes to download, install, and fully patch each client when I did it last month. This, of course, assumes you have a reasonable broadband connection.

 

[Luvmylace]

If you reformat ,you lose everything..get a thumb drive and save your macros
the game will install much faster off the website :


Ultima Online Client Downloads | Mythic Entertainment | Ultima Online

 

[Lord Frodo]

Reformatting HDs should be the last thing you do.

#1 Delete all unwanted data/programs from your hard drive.

#2 Run a Defrag program on your HD. I use SmartDefrag (Defrag and Fully Optimixe)

#3 Run a Registry Cleaner. I use Glary Ulities

#4 Run a Registry Defrag. I use Glary Ulities.

There is nothing wrong with Windows XP considering all the problems people are having here with Windows 7 ( run as admin)

 

[Krinkle]

Reformatting HDs should be the last thing you do.
......
#3 Run a Registry Cleaner. I use Glary Ulities
#4 Run a Registry Defrag. I use Glary Ulities.
There is nothing wrong with Windows XP considering all the problems people are having here with Windows 7 ( run as admin)

No offense, but this advice isn't exactly good advice. Registry Cleaners may seem like they help but you simply run the risk of deleting things you need. Having leftover registry files does not slow anything down. I do believe Leo Laporte, The Tech Guy, calls these types of unnecessary programs 'software voodoo'. Find his tech websites and read why if you doubt it. Also, Windows 7 is the most secure windows available at the moment. XP may have been well loved but it is not supported by Microsoft and you run the risk of opening yourself to new security flaws. If you do use XP, make sure you have the latest Service Pack.