What exactly will happen if I repair Windows XP from the CD?

Question

Will I lose my games, saved office documents and other personal data if I use the method described on this page to repair Windows XP Professional? http://www.windowsxpprofessional.windowsreinstall.com/installxpcdrepair/indexfullpage.htm
Also will I lose SP2 and updates for Windows XP?
All I want is for the System 32 and Windows Operating System files to be restored to the original, everything else I want kept as it is.
Also do I need to use the CD that I installed my curent copy of Windows to repair with or can I use any Windows XP Professioanl CD?
Please reply only if you are positive of your answer
Thanks

Answer 1

Those instructions are correct. You will need to reapply service pack 2, then all remaining fixes, there will be about 60 or so, have plenty of caffeine available. I am not sure if you can use a different CD, it may ask you for a key that does not match the install type (retail vs OEM)

Answer 2

using the procedure in the link will destroy everything you did to the system, you will lose SP2 only if the disk you have is from before SP2 was released but you can just go through windows update to get it back. any similar CD should work but you might be prompted for your windows CD-key

using the windows repair is very tricky and not recommended for those who don't know what they are doing. there are easier procedures you can take then the repair
1. (if you can launch from the hard drive with your OS)
move everything you want to save onto a flash drive or burn them onto a CD/DVD then reinstall the operating system
2. (if you cannot load from the hard drive with your OS)
get another hard drive to install windows to (if you have the installation CD), put it in place of the other hard drive and place your old hard drive in as the slave drive, then after you start up on the new OS you can go into the old hard drive and salvage what you want to save from it. then all you have to do is format the hard drive to clean it off and it can remain as your slave drive

Answer 3

hi,

yes. it reinstall the windows folder only. not c: fully. even though you loss xp update and games you have installed manually.

use your current windows cd is enough.
for system32, if possible take one backup of currently present in your system. Then replace with the file copied from your neighbor or your from friends.
Else you have to follow the step explain in that website.

Answer 4

you will loose nothing if you... Put in the cd, restart the computer... a window should prompt u to restore... u will lose nothing... if this doesnt work hold in f10 while booting your computer up and restore manuallly... it will only replace the corrupt or missing files

Answer 5

Yes everything that you downloaded. YOur files, everything. Upset the proggrams that came with your comp. I should create a backup if I were you