Backing up drivers before Clean Install

[elsiegee40]

I am about to reformat a troublesome PC and reinstall XP. It's not worth doing anything else with it! It's one of a kind here and I have no CDs with Drivers on.

Is there a way of backing up the drivers on it before I start to make the reinstallation a bit quicker? The only reason I ask this is that when I last had to do it, it took me ages to track down the drivers for the network card so that I could connect to the internet and get the other drivers!

[greenfieldsupport]

Id reccomend identifying the components as best you can.

most can be seen in device manager.

for the rest you'll need to open your machine up and identify the components such as motherboard manufacturer and suchlike. most have model numbers / codes on them which you can punch into google to download the drivers .

[ruggie_uk]

http://drivermagic.com/p/nph-welcome.php

Not used it myself but hear great things about it's abilities.

Or

http://www.cpuid.com/pcwizard.php - Helps to identify drivers and hardware - Use this a lot on old stuff especially.

[cheesypete]

Yep, have used Driver Magic and it works a treat

The trial version doesnt let you restore the drivers if i remember rightly, but the whole package isnt that expensive and its worth having as part of your "toolkit"

[beeswax]

@ elsiegee40 I've sent you a PM

[elsiegee40]

Thanks guys - between you, I think I've got it sorted.

@Beeswax, I've replied

[Jona]

Glad you got it sorted, there is also this avaliable for free: http://www.innovative-sol.com/drivermax/

Cheers
Jona

[elsiegee40]

Just wanted to repeat my thanks. Doesn't a clean install of windows feel good!

It's so FAST! Mind you I haven't installed anything else on it yet! It's coming home with me for the weekend so that I can fiddle with it at mt leisure!