when reinstalling steam or windows

[-=KA=- Lifter]

... I highly suggest that you save your screenshots beforehand. I had to reinstall windows recently, and my old steam files were on a different partition - so I figured it was ok. I'm not sure if it happened when I reinstalled steam, or windows - but my whole steam folder was wiped clean - I lost a ton of screenshots but I managed to recover some of them with a program.

 

[GreenMonkey]

This should really be in tech talk not tech help since it is a discussion and not a request for help - however -

Not only have I reinstalled windows keeping my steam files - but I have also installed multiple operating systems keeping my steam files (XP and Vista).

Please do tell Lifter some more information because the situation is making me curious. Also it may lead to the discovery of what went wrong. As an example I will start.

---------------------------------------------------
My computer: (as seen by Windows XP)
C: (Windows XP)
D: (Windows Vista)
E: (Applications)
F: (Games)
G: (Storage)
H: (DVDRW)
I: (DVDROM)
J: (virtual drive)

So, after having XP installed, I installed my games and programs, as well as downloads to the appropriately named partitions. Steam was installed in F:

I then installed Vista onto my second partition (The one XP calls D. After Vista was installed It calls the second partition (where it is installed) C:, and it calls my first partition (where XP is installed) D:. - Leave it to windows to do what it wants -
Now in Vista - I can play steam games without having to redownload them. I sometimes have to reinstall steam but the programs all statyed and stuff.

So do tell, what procedure did you take, and how is your system set up. Just because I am curious.
P.S. you could also have coppied the screenshots into their own folder ont hat alternate partition.

 

[-=KA=- Lifter]

Yeah, sorry - probably should've put this in the other thread.

I installed windows on drive C:, that's where I previously had windows, and my games were all on E:
So when I reinstalled steam, I thought everything would be ok - but when I looked in the folder - it was completely empty.
I'm not really sure how it happened, but it did.

 

[flavoracid]

i was under the impression that everything was wiped. thank my lucky stars no bad threats or anything on my new rig yet (knock on wood)

I have all sys files on C:, and all personal files (music, pics, school work, etc) on D: . My tech friend told me to do this, but warned me that if i do need to wipe, back up the D: first. And i asked him what is the point of having a separate hard drive and having winxp on the other.. he shrugged telling me it's to prevent the spread of viruses. but regardless, back up the D: before the wipe.

i'm computer literate.. I'm a 3D animator so i know some stuff, but i can't go deep into hardware or software.. it's not my thing. so basically i do what im told. the best you can do is use this as a lesson for next time, don't dwell on it. just know for next time.
sorry it happened though, that sucks. cheers for future solutions to any future problems

 

[GreenMonkey]

Having your files on a seperate partition or seperate hard drive in no way shape or form prevents the spread or dammage caused by viruses. Also, unless you are not formatting or reinstalling windows corectly then you will not lose your data on a seperate hard drive.

Indeed the point of partitions and second hard drive is for data backup, ease of reinstall, and expansion. who ever you are talking to flavor, is wrong.