I'm going to reinstall Windows XP Home because my computer is so screwed up, but i'm afraid to...should I? What are the worst consequences?
2006-12-09 13:35:49 · 16 answers · asked by keybaordz 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
Well, someone in my family will be really mad if i can't get Norton Antivirus back on and word like that kinda stuff and I'm scared what'll happen....
2006-12-09 13:40:15 · update #1
I like to wipe my hard drive and reinstall windows every year or so. It clears my hard drive of any junk that I don't use and makes my computer run faster. If things are screwed up, you should reinstall Windows. Just make sure you back everything up or else you will lose everything on your hard drive. Save important files on either DVD or a second hard drive.
2006-12-09 13:39:40 · answer #1 · answered by D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Simply reloading Windows XP over an existing installation WILL NOT wipe out your data. Do NOT reformat. Simply insert the Windows XP installation CD and re-boot your computer. You will have a choice of repairing an existing installation or a new install. Choose new install. You will be asked if you want to save your existing system files. It is important to say YES to this query so you do not lose system files from software you installed after your last XP installation. It takes awhile for the system files to save so be patient. Windows XP will replace ONLY the Windows XP files so your other data is safe. If you are really uncomfortable with this you can back up your data prior to installing XP. I've been a computer tech for over 10 years and I've done full re-installs dozens of times without problems. Good Luck.
2006-12-09 21:56:35 · answer #2 · answered by vanman2u 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should have no problems with the computer, but you will lose (1) all files you have created or downloaded (2) all software you have installed and (3) all settings you have gone to the trouble of making in Windows and any of your programs. If you have a way of saving your files, such as photos, MP3s, Word documents, or files you have downloaded, to another device, do that first. It's unlikely these files contain the viruses etc. that have caused your problems.
Finally, as soon as you have reinstalled Windows, you MUST install effective antivirus, antispam, and antipest programs. These are free from AOL, Earthlink, and my ISP, Roadrunner. If you can't get them for free, the annual cost of maybe $50 for the entire suite of programs is well worth it. As I'm sure you'll agree.
2006-12-09 21:47:07 · answer #3 · answered by Cal E 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1) You will lose all the software, documents, pictures,music, everything! on the hard drive if yoiu reformat (which I recommend if you really want to get straightened out).
Hopefully you have your Windows XP Home CD and all the other software CD's you need to put things back together. If you back up stuff to a CD or a thumb drive, reinstall your antivuirus software before you copy them back in.
2006-12-09 21:41:44 · answer #4 · answered by Computer Guy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you can boot into Windows try using the restore function...you won't lose anything...and Windows will once again be stable. If using Windows XP Pro, a part of the install process will ask if you wish to repair a previous installation...that, too, will save your data...and your butt. Download Adaware and Spybot to clean spyware and malware...update and run Norton to make sure you are virus free.
2006-12-09 21:46:17 · answer #5 · answered by Rick B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The worst is you will lose anything and everything that was not installed when you purchased the computer. It is not such a bad thing however it it is really srewed up. You have not said what is wrong so I will give some general tips........
Update and run your Anti-Virus program. Don't have one? You can run a free online scan from Trendmicro. When I have tested it it takes some time to run it but it may be time well spent if it can fix any problems.
Download and run http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
Download, update and run Spybot---http://www.safer-networking.org/ . Don't forget to use the Immunize feature.
Download, update and run Adaware---http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/products/select_your_product.php
Download RegScrubXP--http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=2048
Safely cleans junk out of the Windows 2000/XP system registry. All changes made to the registry are fully restorable to it's original condition. You can make an exclusion list of registry entries that RegScrubXP will not display as problems. You can sift through a list of file extensions, company names, run upon startup programs, Internet Explorer history, and uninstall programs to delete what you think is junk.
Download SpywareBlaster---http://majorgeeks.com/download2859.html
SpywareBlaster doesn't scan and clean for spyware - it prevents it from ever being installed.
It's main features include:
- Prevent the installation of ActiveX-based spyware, adware, browser hijackers, dialers, and other potentially unwanted pests.
- Block spyware/tracking cookies in Internet Explorer and Mozilla/Firefox.
- Restrict the actions of potentially dangerous sites in Internet Explorer.
Download RegScrubXP--http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=2048
Safely cleans junk out of the Windows 2000/XP system registry. All changes made to the registry are fully restorable to it's original condition. You can make an exclusion list of registry entries that RegScrubXP will not display as problems. You can sift through a list of file extensions, company names, run upon startup programs, Internet Explorer history, and uninstall programs to delete what you think is junk.
A registry repair utility is not a bad idea either. I use Registry Repair. You can get it at http://www.registryrepair.net/
Norton anti-virus and word WILL be back since word is a part of standard windows and Norton may have been a part of your original package.
Don't be so sad about Norton. You can get many free anti-virus programs.
See........http://www.google.com/search?q=free+anti-virus&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-US&ie=utf8&oe=utf8
2006-12-09 21:44:07 · answer #6 · answered by rlh242424 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Suprised no one mentioned system restore?
XP saves settings on your computer so that you can go back to a "restore point" from a week ago, day ago, month ago, etc, whichever, in case your computer gets messed up. You don't lose your pictures, files or wordpad documents that were created after that date, and it can really save your butt, especially if you mess up someone else's computer.
Click Start ............Programs................Accessories.........System Tools.........and then System Restore. I would definately try this method before wiping windows!!! It's much less drastic, it may fix your problems, and worst case scenario your computer isn't any worse off then it was!
Good luck!
2006-12-09 23:50:39 · answer #7 · answered by Melissander 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you don't back up your data, you will loose it.
Also reinstalling the drivers could be a pain if you don't have the restore cd from the company you got it from.
Other than that Windows XP is VERY self explanitory.
2006-12-09 21:38:14 · answer #8 · answered by klechak 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The worst consequence is that you will lose ALL of your data and programs. But, if you have a removable hard drive (like an iPod) you can save most of your documents. I did this twice and its fairly easy
2006-12-09 21:40:41 · answer #9 · answered by George H 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take it to Circuit City and for $34.95, they'll fix it for you running a restore disk. I backed up all of my photos and music on an external harddrive. Circuit City will do it for a fee, but I didn't want to risk losing something b/c they didn't know what I wanted to keep and get rid of. In my case, we lost our 2003 office, and the guy working there called a buddy and got a code to put in and gave me my office 2003 back w/o charging me the extra fee. He did that b/c he was really cool and I was really appreciative for his help. It's pretty easy to get one of those codes to get office for free, is my guess by how fast his buddy found the code.
It was just easy to take it to Circuit City and fast. I hope this works for you too.
2006-12-09 21:46:50 · answer #10 · answered by Stephanie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋