How do I re-install operating system without destroying my files?

Question

My system has a virus and I need to reformat my hard drive and install an operating system. I need a step by step guide

Answer 1

Its best to gather all the files you need and burn them to cd/dvd or if you have a flash/jump drive to put them. If you are having to reinstall Windows altogether, you can not save your files on the hard drive, you have to back them up.

Answer 2

You need to copy all the files to another drive - OR - buy a new drive and install the operating system on that and then copy the files you need from the old drive - However, you need to ensure that none of the old files are infected, so a GOOD antivirus programme should be used yo ensure that all infection is removed first.
A good way of using the hard drive is using an external drive mount - USB connection normally. Once the files you want have been copied back to your PC, you can then format the harddrive and use it as a back-up device.

Answer 3

your files are surely infected with virus.. so if you're going to reformat your computer and bring back those files again, your system will be infected again..

so the best thing to do is, back up all your files in a removable hard drive or disk, reformat your system..after the process, install an AVG ANTI VIRUS SOFTWARE immediately and you can bring back those files again..

Answer 4

well first of all I would recommend you to install an antivirus software and scan all your files. otherwise it's pointless because some files are still infected.

you might want to backup everything onto dvds or external HDs.

if you dont want to, install:

XP: afaik i can remember xp can let you upgrade or install a clean copy. or if you install from boot you can install in the same drive with the windows folder in a different directory.

VISTA: this is nice to play around with: you can upgrade or select a custom installation (depending on ur OS ie. xp home/ xp pro). if you upgrade it will only overwrite the windows and all that stuff and your data will still remain. if you install a clean copy the original windows and "docs and settings" folder will all be put into "windows.old". the files are still there, but you will not be able to boot the original windows.

if you are talking about mac/linux idk so much, and thats highly unlikely because they wont get viruses in the first place.

Answer 5

if u have any CD writer, write all of ur data on CD's; if not, follow the steps...
1. copy ur files from C drive--my documents, my pictures, my movies, desktop... to any other drive..
2. move the data of all of ur drives to one drive..but before everything first format the drive u r gonna shift the date to because the virus would be eradicated in the same drive
3. format the drives u moved the data from
4. insert win xp cd to CD ROM and restart computer
5. wait till autoplay detects the win CD, if not before loading windows press delete key or f12 to enter the BIOS setup
6. for booting from CD ROM choose the first booting choice as CD ROM
7. ur PC will restart and win installation will startup
8. lastly, u will find that u have installed the windows
9. now install an antivirus--AVG for instance, but updated
10. scan the drive u had sent the data to..
11. format the empty drives once more
12. at the end shift the data where u r interested.

best of luck ;-)

Answer 6

You can back up your data first, then reformat the drive.
I suggest you, other time you shouldn't use the same drive for your operating system and for your files storage. So you won't need to back up your data again when you need to re-install your operating system drive.

Answer 7

Use a third party utility like Acronis TrueImage once you have customized the system after installing the OS from scratch - applications, colors, resolutions, etc. Then do incremental updates of the changes you make to the system that includes application installs/uninstalls, probably once a week.

You could also use Deep Freeze to make sure the system always starts from the same state irrespective of a software failure.

Answer 8

Upgrade to Vista if you can.
A lot of the XP viruses don't affect Vista, and there are backup solutions built in to Vista that allow you to back up your important files if you need to reformat/reinstall at any time.

I do agree that reformatting/reinstalling is a last resort, there are many many other things that you can do to fix your computer.

To quote the PC Format support dude, Luis Villazon:
'Reinstalling Windows every time you have a problem is like demolishing your house every time you need to replace a light bulb.'
Don't destroy the house, fix the light bulb.

Answer 9

If you want to retain your files, try repairing your OS instead of reformatting HDD. If Win XP, try this:
http://www.informationweek.com/shared/printableArticle.jhtml?articleID=189400897

Then start you computer on safe mode and scan for virus twice, preferably with different anti-virus.

Answer 10

just download AVG7.5 anti-virus,and run a scan it will get that virus. reformatting is a last resort when it comes to viruses.
but if you reall feel hard pressed to reformat then I suggest backing up your files.
Why do you feel you need to reformat? did your anti-virus tell you it could not repair the virus?