Reinstalling Windows XP?

Question

ok, if i reinstall windows xp, will that wipe out my whole hard drive w/ all my memories on it? and could someone tell me how to reinstall xp possibly without deleting everything off my hard drive? and i have the original install xp disk or something like that if it helps

ok, these are great answers! but what i dont have the time to get an external hard drive and i have to reinstall xp as soon as possible? and also, i dont want to get rid of any programs i have currently

Answer 1

well i actually did it before, you just want to fix your older version that's the only option that can keep your installed programs and all your files in their place, from the windows setup (in the bootable CD) you choose to install a new version of windows but then the setup will say that it discovered an already installed version and there you will have the option to repair it (it'll replace the bad files and install new ones). * Hope this helps *

*important: don't choose repair windows xp from the begining, you choose to install a new version and when the setup finds the old one you then select repairing it.(this way the setup will repair it automatically like i explained above)

Answer 2

Firstly, before you do anything, BACKUP onto CD or DVD all your documents, music and pictures/video. You should do this at least monthly anyhow.

If you own an iPod or similiar, then you can use this as an external hard drive to backup your files.

A clean installation is recommended but remember that you will also need to reinstall all programs on the current system - download the latest version from the web if you don't have the disks.

Windows XP also requires activation and authorised genuine advantage once it's reinstalled - so you will require a genuine XP serial number.

When you go to reinstall, you should make a seperate partition on your hard drive for documents etc. So you install XP on "C:" drive and make another partition "D:".

Before you attempt anything, do some research on the web in regards to reinstalling tips.

If you live in Melbourne, Australia I can help you for a small fee.

Good luck!

Answer 3

The answer to your question is, Yes you can. Pay attention to markm and Angry C responses.

In simple terms you do a "reinstall" over your existing Windows XP installation, and DO NOT choose any option to partition, re-partition, or format your hard drive. This _should_ preserve your existing applications and configuration settings.

HOWEVER, if you do not have, or make, backups of your data, you are taking a risk of losing some or all of your applications and data. Take the appropriate time and precautions if you cannot afford to lose anything.

You should be able to initiate the reinstall by inserting your Windows XP CD and reviewing the options that you are prompted with. Read the options carefully before proceeding so you understand them.

If this is the first time you are doing this, it is very advisable to seek assistance from a knowledge person.

Oh, and did I say you should backup your data?

Good luck.

Answer 4

You need a installer disc containing the program Windows XP and then after that put it on you dics drive and follow the instruction given to install the windows Xp..

Answer 5

You can do a Repair Install or a full install with reformatting of the hard drive (wiping the HDD complettely clean.) The Repair Install overwrites the existing XP and does not change your personal settings or programs.

This link gives you a great help site with detailed instructions and actual screen shots. I chose XP Pro but you can get instructions for XP Home, too:

http://www.windowsxpprofessional.windowsreinstall.com/

Answer 6

if your data (memories) are so important, then make a backup of them.
buy an external hard drive big enough to backup your memories.
backup your data and when done, disconnect the external drive.

then you can do what ever you want with your computer.

to reinstall windows xp, put the CD on the drive while your computer is on, run the setup and choose upgrade.
it will not delete your files (but you already have them backed up) or your programs, but it will set the computer back to the original windows configuration.

Answer 7

You can't reinstall windows xp without wiping everything unless say you are upgrading from another version. If so, when you run the windows XP CD. You will be able to see the choice for upgrade.

However, it is always advised to format everything and reinstall to prevent potential problems. Suggest you copy all your important data before trying to upgrade or install.

Cheers & Bottoms Up

Answer 8

Simply install XP over itself. In IT circles this is known as a ' Dirty Install '. This should keep all your settings and files intact.

Please understand that this will delete all your 3rd party Software( Software other than the ones not related to Windows XP ) that you installed, unless and until you save it specifically somewhere else.

Simply make sure that you do not use the ' Format ' Option.

Answer 9

best thing to do is make copies of what you want to save on other discs or removable media of some kind and then do a clean install. You can use system restore before you do that and it will take you to a point when everything was working but anything since that point will be lost.

Answer 10

You should go for the non-destructive rebuild of XP you don't have to reformat the whole computer from scratch and you won't lose your accounts or data.

See Information week Fred Langa's article on how to do it.