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I bought two computers, one has the basic software......?
that it came with and I gave it to my mom. The other has lots of additional software loaded on it and I have access to the internet.
Due to viruses and spyware/adware/malware, my computer now has corrupted files which cannot be accessed or I have deleted. I know how to remove the additional software that I have loaded, so that I can reinstall it later. When the two computers were purchased they were identical, so the only difference is the added software. But I have two questions: How can I use the DOS command "copy c:\ a:\" to copy all the files in the multi-layer directories without having to go through all the layers and copy each directory separately? And if this is impossible or too difficult, how can I link them via cable to copy the one's contents to the other? (I don't have the Windows Installation disc or it wouldn't be a problem.) I have found a reputable computer support business that is local and they will do it for $119 if I provide the driver files.
Thanks, but I know what caused it and I know how severe the damage is, what I don't know is the easiest way to fix it. But I appreciate the answer.
By the way, I tried your suggested website just to see if maybe there was something that I could learn which would keep me from having to reload Windows, and guess what? It doesn't even work!!! So, edit the web address or I'll have to chose no best answer just because....
Okay, obviously I need to shorten this to one thing: CAN I USE THE DOS COMMAND "COPY C:\ A:\" TO COPY ALL THE LAYERS OF THE WINDOWS SOFTWARE WITHOUT GOING THROUGH EACH DIRECTORY INDIVIDUALLY? I know how to connect the two computers (already did), know what spy/mal/adware is and how it works. What I don't know is if the DOS command can do what I need it to do. Can anyone answer this question about the DOS command?
P.S. Thanks for the answers that I've gotten but they are not answering my question(s).
3 Answers
- 1 decade agoFavorite Answer
The command you want to use to do a "multi-layered copy" is xcopy. Copy will not recursively copy subdirectories, but xcopy was written to do just that. xcopy is part of your windows installation just like copy is.
The syntax is (simplified) :
xcopy /s [from] [to]
So if you wanted to copy your entire C: drive to A: (as in your example) you'd enter :
xcopy /s C:\ A:\
The problem with this is that, in windows, there is more to a software installation than just the files. If you copy all of your files to another computer, reformat your drive, and copy them back, the programs will no longer work. There is something called a registry that programs write information to about how they are configured and where special files are located. Without this information most programs will not work at all.
Adding to your troubles, Windows writes to places in the drive that you cannot access with any normal tools, so even if you were to copy the registry and all the Windows files from your other computer, it would not work.
I think I understand what you're trying to do, and have one suggetsion. If you want to copy the whole operating system from your moms computer to yours (although you'll lose the additional software that you mentioned is on your machine) you could do a backup of your mother's machine and then restore it to yours. A complete backup will copy the registry and all of the "secret" files that you cannot access. There are tools that can help do this, one I would recommend is called Norton Ghost.
Ghost allows you to make an "image" of your whole drive (essentially what you're trying to do with xcopy) and extract that image on any machine. If the two machines are identical, this would work very well.
One last tidbit of information. If the operating system is windows XP, you will need to have the XP License key when you finally get your second machine going. XP will not work otherwise, and the only way to get the license key is to find it in the documentation that came with your machine.
If you don't have the XP license key, I would suggest doing everything you can to clean your machine of the spyware that is causing you troubles, but do not wipe the operating system.
Hope this answers your question.
- 1 decade ago
I am assuming you are wanting to do a
C:\>copy c:*.* a:
?
A: being the location of the directory you are wanting to copy information to?
I have never wanted to copy from the DOS prompt though, I have always just created a Network Connection with share priveleges and used a Crossover Cable for just 2 boxes, or used a hub to connect the two computers.
If this link helps any
- ?Lv 45 years ago
Well, HP and Gateway are both computer manufacturers but I prefer HP because I have experience with there products. CPU is very important for your computer. There is Intel and AMD CPUs. And I prefer Intel. Try to get Intel Core 2 Duo with your laptop. Memory aka RAM is a good way to speed up your comp. Try to get 2GB or more if you have Vista. CD Drive are for your use. There are burners and regular.
