I'd cut to the chase and move to XP.

Install that on one of your spare drives, apply SP2 and the online updates.
Install all those apps, dont worry about the settings/config stuff for those.

Use the files and settings transfer wizard in XP to get the settings
and config stuff and files from the 2K install you are currently using.

See how you like that XP install, particularly that the wizard has got
all the settings etc across fine. If they are mostly fine and it just hasnt
got the settings for a few apps across, do those manually, if necessary
repeatedly rebooting between 2K and XP to check the original settings etc.

Once its working fine, break out the champagne and get on with your 'life'


Citizen Bob <spam@uce.gov> wrote:
> On Wed, 25 Oct 2006 12:25:23 -0400, kony <spam@spam.com> wrote:
>
>> Exporting a few registry keys is mere minutes work.
>
> What are those "few registry keys"?
>
>> So what if you have to export the classes keys and merge those too?
>
> Although I have used Regedit, I have no idea how to begin doing what
> you are proposing.
>
>>> You make it sound so easy, albeit tedious.
>
>> You won't know till you try it, will you?
>
> If you give me the instructions I am willing to give it a try.
>
>>> But I have serious
>>> reservations about just how easy it is.
>>
>> How can you when you only argue against it?
>
> I told you that I misunderstood what you were proposing all along. I
> thought when you used the term "clean install" that I would have to
> install all my applications again. That's what I was arguing against.
>
> If you give me the instructions (or point me to a website that has
> them) for doing the Registry export, I am willing to have a go at it,
> because I won't have to actually reinstall anything.
>
>>> If I can pull off a clean reinstall by
>>> merely doing the things you state above, then let's get started.
>
>> Ok, so have you started? My suggestion is the installation
>> on another partition or drive, done clean. Get that 100%
>> working, including drivers, then make a backup of it as you
>> will do at certain intervals so if something goes awry you
>> can just revert back without losing the entire installation.
>
> I assume by that you mean create a new active partition of a new
> installation of Win2K. That I can do and I can dedicate a complete
> disk drive to it. Should I put SP4 on too?
>
> I will do that and report back for the next step. I am trusting you
> that the Registry exports will be straightforward, and not require me
> to seek out the references to 100 different apps many of which have
> different names in the Registry for the same app.