Will I lose all of my data if I reinstall Windows XP?

Question

My PC says that a system file is missing or corrupt and won't boot Windows at all. All I can think of doing now is to use the Windows CD to perform a full reinstall of WIndows. What will happen if I do? Will I lose everything on the hard disk or will it just repair the installation and keep all my data? If not, is there a way of recovering all of my files from the drive? I would really appreciate any help.

Answer 1

You wont loose your data but your software configurations.
During re-install, it will ask you if you want to install to the existing c:\windows folder or you can specify a new folder.

Go ahead with reinstallation as long as you do not delete the partition or format the drive.

Answer 2

First, back up your files. If you can't access Windows, you can still boot into a Linux Live CD (they're not too hard to make, or ask a geek friend for a copy) and manually copy important documents. If you can't do that, then you risk losing your files, but proceed regardless. Now, you can put in the XP disk or boot into a restore partition to reinstall Windows, and it will give you the option to repair an existing installation, which will save your files and apps (as opposed to doing a fresh install which wipes the hard drive and then installs WIndows). You can also use a tool to back up all your files if WIndows will load (which may not be an option for you), then reinstall Windows from scratch, and then restore the files. See source.

Answer 3

before you do judo purp answer above try this:

Tap the F8 key while the puter is booting up
it should present the safe mode menu

select last good configuration.

This should fix it.

Note if the computer stalls on Verifying DMI files, then this is an indication that your hard drive is cactus, how ever you may be able to see it as a slave drive, and therefore recover your data.

Note if you have IE7 installed, you must uninstall it before using the XP disks. The XP disks has IE6 and will try to overwrite IE7, which results that you will have to format the hard drive. To unistal IE7 look for windows IE7 in the add and remove programs console in the "W" location..

If you are able to get it going then run this microsft program to fix the registry.


Clean up pc and IE
==============
To clean up run this Microsoft’s windows live program. It does registry, spyware , virus , disk clean up and defrag

it takes 2 hours or more so once it starts to scan (go to bed etc)

XP Users http://onecare.live.com/site/en-ca/defau...

Vista Users http://onecare.live.com/site/en-ca/cente...

Run the full scanner, then at the end of the scan it asks you to set it running full time.

Think twice about setting it to run in the background as it could be another thing to slow you down. However, it may be worth while if you have no other security programs running

Answer 4

You wont lose it if you do a REPAIR. Windows xp gives you two options. Installing a fresh copy then you will lose your data OR you can do a REPAIR which only installes JUST windows nothing else.

http://www.theeldergeek.com/repairing_windows_xp.htm

check this site out. It shows you pictures on how to do it.

See on the blue screen there is an option is says

TO REPAIR A WINDOWS XP INSTALLATION USING RECOVERY CONSOLE, PRESS R

so just make sure you press R and follow the site's pictures

Answer 5

Yes you will lose everything...Your re-installing it. FIRST try restoring with that cd Most cd's have a restore option. You could put the drive into another computer and copy your files to disks before re-installing if there is no restore option

Answer 6

Depending on how savvy are you to tiptoe your way through install. I certainly can and will and had reinstall XP with little loss of data.

Usually preferences you made within a program would be lost but document data can easily be retained if you are careful.

Answer 7

There are two ways ..
Firstly if you don't have any data in your current xp installisation drive .You can format just your Xp Installed Drive n leave the other drives as it is ..

Secondly you can contact a engineer who can help you with this problem ..

Answer 8

If you reinstall windows, you will lose EVERYTHING, but if a system file is corrupt, there isn't much you can do. Turn on the computer and as soon as it starts, start tapping f8 repetedly, and try seeing what options come up.

Answer 9

Try going back to a system restore point. Not sure if it'll work and don't remember how to do it, but look it up and try.
Otherwise, a qualified repair tech would know how to get your info off the computer for you. Don't worry too much.

Good luck. I really feel for u.

Answer 10

I think so. I reinstalled XP several times because of some virus and each time everything got deleted. You should make a back up disk and then reinstall XP