Yes, this reloading (called Installation)is becoming a must
for complicated applications, which require lots of files
to be copied to your target drive. The complications arise
due to:

1. Too many files to be copied in many different directories

2. The directory paths are to be set depending on each installation.

3. Many checks and validations needed, like environment
(win 3.x/ 95/ NT)- because the installation program need
not copy all the files for all the operating environs.

4. Dynamic Link Libraries(DLLs): The application program
expects certain DLL's in specific directories. Also, it
will be compatible with certain versions only. So that
check is to be done and warnings provided to user.

5. This installation programs keep a log of the files/
directories copied, files changed etc.; it also makes an
entry inthe 'registry' of your system. This will enable
easy and systematic removal of the application from your
PC (using the 'add/remove programs' utility) if you chose
to do so at a later time (Otherwise, you would've to
keep that log manually!)

6. Finally, you may be required to have software licences
for the application, and the installation program will proceed only if you provide the genuine licence number
(or some similar code) which is available only if you
get a legal copy of the software.

The list is not at all exhaustive.

All that is true... but why can't the operating system allow for software to be moved from one drive to another? Why is it for the human (the weak link?) to re-install. This means digging out the original disc and documentation. Is the assumption that you will only load the software once? I have purchased software that will only allow you to load it on drive C. The software is telling you where it must go.

As far as the systematic removal of software, I have also had a file lost, which then negated the removal of the software as the machine could not find that file and it stopped the process.

The part I love is when you uninstall a program and it flattens the system or error messages begin to arise then you have to retrace your steps precisely. This is very difficult when the software has been updated and tweeked as per magazine articles etc over a period of time.
I find changing drive just so traumatic. I have found the software that comes with Maxtor drives good because it copies ( OR CAN IF YOU WISH) an exact copy of another drive. This means that you can keep the same setup and just add space. It has worked for me this time anyway. Thank goodness. The last rebuild took me 6 months to complete while I found that a scanner software pack caused major hangups. Most of the 6 months was spent chasing what I thought was hardware. $2000 later I was not amused to find the software culprit.
Regards Dons

HP Scanner I bet.... and running on the USB too...

We spent 3 weeks and finally replaced the scanner with a newer model... and lo and behold, the new software (hardware) worked without a hitch... Thanks HP for not doing it right the first time..

Ditto for HP but mine was a Umax. We gave up on the usb version. Thank goodness the customer had a SCSI card so we could go around the problem and as you say the fix worked fine. What gets me is that a new model straight off the shelf comes not working. I thought the decent thing would be some testing. When I finnally narrowed it to this one it was the first thing on the site.

By the way, I am still looking for more info on USB. There is not much about that explains setting up and trouble shooting. Any link suggestions would be welcome.
Regards Dons