Installing Windows Again !

[robcraige]

ok so i have broked me pc.

I cant get into my hard drive, I wonder can i reinstall windows without losing all my files. By doing the insert cd at the start and partition thing ?

Can anyone help me by walking me though it. Would be much appreciated !

[RJ]

Hi,

you can just boot from your Windows CD and install Windows. As long as you don't remove any partitions, and as long as you don't format (use the option "use current file system (no changes)" or similar), your data won't be erased.

When you boot from the CD and choose to install Windows, it'll automatically detect your broken Windows and offer you to repair it. That's what I'd try first, as it will even keep most of your settings, and all your installed programs will still work after the repair is done.

If you choose not to repair, then select your partition (don't remove any of them, just select C: drive) and don't choose a format option. Choose the "no changes" one, it's the last item in the list.
After Windows has been installed, you can backup your data and do a clean install afterwards.

RJ

[robcraige]

But wont it say

"there is all ready a windows instalation on this partition" then what do i do ?

[Malta Soron]

IIRC there's an option like 'delete old Windows installation without formatting'. You should take that one.

[RJ]

But wont it say "there is all ready a windows instalation on this partition" then what do i do ?

IIRC it will ask you to repair, so you should select "Yes". That'll repair the existing Windows installation without erasing your data and your settings.

RJ

[robcraige]

IIRC what is that ? and how do i get to it ?

thanx for your help so far guys, Please keep it coming

[glc]

IIRC = if I recall correctly.

Read this: http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=151522

[robcraige]

Ok i read the page you gave me and it tells of how to repair a windows installation by pressing r on the partitioned space, Thing is there is no r option. Theres just enter or delete ?

Can anyone walk me through how to repair a windows installation. Without me losing my imporatant files

[glc]

See your other thread. You are going to have to recover the files to another drive.

[GaryRouth]

robcraige -
(& any other readers who are considering a reinstall):

Please note that there are two major warnings that a normal reinstall may not work on your computer. Warning #1 - if your computer is an OEM system from prior to Windows XP SP1, and your system contains the file "undo_guimode.txt" in the \Windows\System32 folder. Warning #2 - "If the option to Repair Install is NOT available and you continue with the install; you will delete your Windows folder and the Documents and Settings folders. All applications installed that place keys in the registry will need to be re-installed and will require the original install media. You should exit setup if the repair option is not available and consider other options." (from the Michael Stevens article linked to in the Tips thread). Here are the details & your options: http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XP...l.htm#warning2

Note that your data can still be recovered. There are several options for that - the use of an Ubuntu or Knoppix bootable CD would indeed work, as would slaving the drive in an external USB housing to another computer. The external USB housings cost about $25-$50 (USD) [spare hard drives can be had for $40-$100]. If the data isn't extensive, burning to a DVD can store a fair chunk.

I'll try to make the warnings a little more prominent in the Tips thread.

Best of luck
. . . Gary

Late edit: just saw your other thread (the DLLs... thread). You mention in that thread that you have two hard drives in the troubled system, and that one has a working version of XP. As glc mentioned, you can access the files by following the instructions in the Microsoft Knowledge Base article. You boot from the working XP version & just follow the instructions: your repair installation may now be looking more like a clean reinstall. Here's the link for the permissions again: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421