need to reinstall windows xp

Question

I need to reinstall windows xp, I have a D drive where all my work and music is on. I know that windows xp is on the C drive. My question is if the D drive will be harmed at all when i re install windows xp?

rickmktg · Answer

jschlik82 wrote:

I need to reinstall windows xp, I have a D drive where all my work and music is on. I know that windows xp is on the C drive. My question is if the D drive will be harmed at all when i re install windows xp?

If you boot to the XP CD and choose to install XP, as long as you don't delete the D partition you will be fine.

I would STRONGLY recommend you backup D just in case your finger slips...

jschlik82 · Answer

I just had a few follow up questions concerning the re-installilation of windows xp. First, I've never done this before, so would it be wise for me to have a dell technician on the phone while i'm trying to do this or is the installation self explanatory?Second, i have like 5 or 6 cds that are part of the installation. Obviosly the disc that includes windows xp gets installed first, is there a certain order for the others that i should follow?   I don't know if this matters or not, my computer is a dell dimension 2400.

rickmktg · Answer

jschlik82 wrote:

I just had a few follow up questions concerning the re-installilation of windows xp. First, I've never done this before, so would it be wise for me to have a dell technician on the phone while i'm trying to do this or is the installation self explanatory?Second, i have like 5 or 6 cds that are part of the installation. Obviosly the disc that includes windows xp gets installed first, is there a certain order for the others that i should follow?

I don't know if this matters or not, my computer is a dell dimension 2400.

If your computer was shipped after 7/15/04, I'd suggest you just do CTRL F11 on reboot to make it "as shipped".

If you have a Dell tech on the phone, they will likely help you mess it up worse...

Windows XP first, then drivers beginning with chipset and others, then the rest of your software after updating Windows XP via the MS site.

jschlik82 · Answer

Thank you for all your help

simpswr · Answer

This is a great guide for reinstalling on a Dell:  http://www.djdenham.com/Install%20Procedures.htm

jschlik82 · Answer

Thanks for the link,it's very helpful. I think for the mmost part I'm going to be alright, all of my important stuff is on the D drive. I had read on you site you sent me, that I will lose internet stuff like email folders and previously saved favorite sites... Right now I have a wireless internet, does this make any difference?

simpswr · Answer

You can backup your mail and favorites separately, or you can use the XP Files and Settings Transfer (FAST) wizard to create an image of them and save to your D drive, cd or other removable media. These are good guides to using the FAST wizard. Just be sure you have an up-to-date antivirus before you re-instate them!

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_fstw.asp
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_repair_install.htm

Message Edited by simpswr on 10-04-2006 02:31 PM

rickmktg · Answer

jschlik82 wrote:

Thanks for the link,it's very helpful. I think for the mmost part I'm going to be alright, all of my important stuff is on the D drive. I had read on you site you sent me, that I will lose internet stuff like email folders and previously saved favorite sites...

Right now I have a wireless internet, does this make any difference?

No, it doesn't make any difference, everything will need to be setup from scratch. Save email and favorites ahead of time.

jschlik82 · Answer

I know I've been really putting this off for a while. I caught something on my computer, a virus of some sort. I can log onto my computer and my desktop appears, but after that I'm unable to navigate through anything. My screen eventually freezes up and an error message occurs. Does this meen that i have no chance of using the (FAST) wizard. Or is there another way to launch it?   -Thanks, Jeff

simpswr · Answer

Try running it in safe mode . . .

jschlik82 · Answer

I'll give that a try, I'm not sure if that's going to work though. when this all happened I imediately went to do a system restore. Since my computer freezes up before i can get to system restore, i decided to try it in safe mode. The same thing happened.  I'm still a little lost though, I've tried Dell tech's but they were of no help. So unfortunately i have to take matters into my own hands. Because I need to do this myself I just want to make sure i'm doing this correctly. i really do appreciate all the help.   When i was reading about the FAST, it had mentioned that it was on disc. Is that only because, in the article the example was someone transfering information from an earlier version of windows to XP. I need to transfer info. because I need to reinstall XP.   When I'm I' doing the install is there a way I can access the FAST. Or do i need to take care of this before the install?   I'm trying to be as descriptive as possible.

Poppyjoe · Answer

@simpswr wrote:

You have to run if from the install cd if you are upgrading from a version older than XP , , from XP you will find it in Programs . . Accessories . . System Tools . . Files and Settings Wizard.

You need to capture the files and settings prior to reinstalling

Thank you for your prompt attention........ I had sort of sensed this idea, but was hoping for a much less drastic solution........ Guess I'll need to just bite the bullet, and do as you recommend. And thanks again.

simpswr · Answer

You have to run if from the install cd if you are upgrading from a version older than XP , , from XP you will find it in Programs . . Accessories . . System Tools . . Files and Settings Wizard.   You need to capture the files and settings prior to reinstalling

jschlik82 · Answer

I'm unable to navigate through windows, because of the state my computer is in at this moment.

simpswr · Answer

If you put the XP installation cd in a running system you can have it make a floppy, which you can use on the other machine to run FAST and capture the files and settings . .

Windows General

need to reinstall windows xp

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