How difficult is it to manage a new Windows 3.1 computer? Do you copy your existing Windows to the new machine, which probably doesn't have sound drivers and current dynamic link libraries? Do you simply use the new Windows which doesn't have any of your current INI file settings? If neither answer sounds right for you, then merging Windows might be the right approach.

On the new machine, rename the C:\WINDOWS directory using XtreeGold or File Manager to C:\WINNEW. Restore from backup tape the existing C:\WINDOWS and all its subdirectories to C:\WINDOWS on the new machine.

Start Windows on your existing machine, and write down all the current applications. Make a note of which ones are running from the network. They may require additional attention and configuration from the network administrator.

Returning to the new computer, make an INI directory under the C:\WINDOWS directory, then copy *.INI and *.GRP to the C:\WINDOWS\INI directory.

Change directory to the C:\WINNEW directory. Copy all the files in the C:\WINNEW directory to the C:\WINDOWS directory by typing xcopy *.* /s /e C:\WINDOWS.

Copy WIN.INI from the C:\WINDOWS\INI directory to the C:\WINDOWS directory. Rename PROGMAN.INI to PROGMAN.NEW, and then copy PROGMAN.INI from the C:\WINDOWS\INI directory to the C:\WINDOWS directory.

Now we have a longer procedure. Our goal is to save the video driver and new program groups from the new Windows. This information is stored in the PROGMAN.NEW file under the C:\WINDOWS directory. We don't need to save all the new group names. The old Windows may have Startup, Main, Accessories, and Games. We only need to copy the other group names. To do this, we will load DOS Edit, and copy the selected lines to the clipboard.

Example:

[Settings]
display.drv=QVISION8.DRV <--- new Windows video driver
Window=88 112 784 608 1
SaveSettings=0
MinOnRun=0
AutoArrange=1
Order=1 2 3 4 5 6

[Groups]
Group1=C:\WINDOWS\ACCESSOR.GRP
Group2=C:\WINDOWS\GAMES.GRP
Group3=C:\WINDOWS\MAIN.GRP
Group4=C:\WINDOWS\STARTUP.GRP
Group5=C:\WINDOWS\WINDOWSS.GRP <— new sound system group
Group6=C:\WINDOWS\MICROSOF.GRP <— new Microsoft utility group

1. Type WIN.
2. If it doesn't come up, write down the error message.
3. If something is missing from an INI file, go back to the C:\WINDOWS\INI directory and restore the necessary lines to the appropriate INI file.
4. Check the major applications.
5. If an application is not working, and re-checking the saved INI files doesn't help, re-install the application.
6. If Windows still has problems, reinstall Windows.