A laptop I'm working on has an error on startup "lsass.exe" is passing something to something or other.. I forget the exact error message. I've searched far and wide for a solution to the problem. I've even used some ERD Commander 2005 app to get into the file system just to back things up, but it started saying "Access Denied" so I'm hearing and feeling like the only solution to my problem at this point is to reinstall windows. Can I do this without losing the data in my documents? It's very important that I keep this data...
I'm not getting a mac.
2007-02-19 05:10:58 · 10 answers · asked by [Queen_Remedi] 3 in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
Safe mode and Recovery mode do not correct the issue.
2007-02-19 05:12:20 · update #1
A complete reinstall will overwrite EVERYTHING on your hard drive. Including your documents. If you have a desktop machine to work with, you can connect the laptop hard drive to the desktop as a secondary drive. It will require an adapter to do it. From there, you can copy the laptop drive contents that you need before you reinstall Windows.
2007-02-19 05:15:30 · answer #1 · answered by MrCabal 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"lsass.exe" stands for the local security authentication server. It verifies user logons and is a target of virus writers. I'd recommend trying to backup your files using whatever technique you can. The command line XCOPY is one of the simplest approaches (see second link).
Gateway and other vendors offer a recovery mode that allows your operating system files to be restored to a previous date and time. This may solve the problem.
After you can backup your files successfully, I would consider installing Windows destructively to assure that there are no viruses and Trojans left on your system. If you cannot backup your files, then I'd check with your computer vendor.
Otherwise, you may need to re-install Windows choosing the non-destructive option, just so that you can backup your files.
2007-02-19 05:33:55 · answer #2 · answered by Skeptic 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes.... u can definitely reinstall windows without losing your documents . All you have to do is just install the windows again on the same partition without deleting the previous installation. By doing this, u wont lose previously installed softwares also!!!
P.S. It applies only for windows 9x... not for win xp and up... for them, u'll have to make backup copies of your documents!!!
2007-02-19 05:21:42 · answer #3 · answered by neo_764 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are using 2K or XP or Vista it will format and install overwriting everything.
Only with 95 and 98 can you do a install and preserve your existing files.
With 2K, XP or Vista you will have to backup your files and favorites first and you will also lose all of your custom settings.
~BTW~ If you are dead set against getting a Mac there is still hope for you with Linux :)
2007-02-19 05:17:17 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Answer: Windows XP is the operating system and all files and programs not on the installation disc will be erased during the new installation. They only feasible way to save the files or programs is to transfer them to another drive or burn them to a CD. Sorry.
2016-05-24 09:55:40 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most Windows running programs will allow you to reinstall the running program without messing with your files and If it does it will zip them in a file in your hard drive.
2007-02-19 05:16:50 · answer #6 · answered by levis 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can reinstall the operating system and then recover your files at a later date using a program such as recover my files but you run the risk of losing some of it i have done this several times and it has always found my files
2007-02-19 05:17:30 · answer #7 · answered by jstat011 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its a 1 out of 3 chance sometimes the documents stay sometimes they dont and sometimes only a few of them get deleted so just keep a backup copy of all documents and files.
2007-02-19 05:16:53 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it were me, I would copy all my files (the whole My Documents) to a flashdrive or external hard drive.
Then, format your hard drive, and reinstall. Nice and clean.
2007-02-19 05:32:11 · answer #9 · answered by TheHumbleOne 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you will lose, if you don't copy them to other partition or cd.
You can try to repair windows. It usually works.
2007-02-19 05:16:42 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋