I need to reinstall Windows XP! How?

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Kyemack45687

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Mar 12, 2005
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I need to reinstall XP, but I haven't a clue how to do it. I want to save all my files and things I've downloaded, so how do I do that?

If someone would be so gracious as to give me some instruction I'd really appreciate it.
 
Ideally, you should have backups of key data somewhere else -- external HD, CDs, whatever.

For reinstall, you've got two options:
1) Format and clean install: More thorough, removes all data on the HD. Good for virus recovery.
2) "Upgrade" install. XP will let you upgrade to itself. This preserves all non-Windows data. Good for bad driver recovery and the like.
Either way, you insert the XP disc and follow instructions. There's not really any arcane knowledge of the Black Arts required.

There's also the repair console, but I'm no expert in its use.

Anyway, you'll get more specific / pertinent info if you can say why you're reinstalling.
 
Put Necessary Saved Data on a DVD 4.7GB thats what I do... and use a RW if you want so you can re use it later...

FORMAT and clean install you may have to delte a partitition, I had too..
 
Partition a 5-6gig section JUST for your windows installation.

So when you need to wipe and reinstall, You don't have to bother backing up all your data anymore.


Its a godsend to just be able to wipe when you want/need and not worry about spending 200 bucks in DVDs to save everything :D
 
Komataguri said:
Partition a 5-6gig section JUST for your windows installation.

So when you need to wipe and reinstall, You don't have to bother backing up all your data anymore.


Its a godsend to just be able to wipe when you want/need and not worry about spending 200 bucks in DVDs to save everything :D
Click to expand...

Two problems with this:

1) 5-6 GB isn't nearly enough for most people for an OS partition.
2) If you leave an existing partition with data on it, XP's setup will consider this the C drive. And so would begin all the billion thread's with some noob asking why their system volume is now F:.

Back up the data to another computer or to disc. No "backup" is ever stored on the same computer. Boot from your XP CDs, and follow the instructions. It's that easy.
 
djnes said:
Two problems with this:

1) 5-6 GB isn't nearly enough for most people for an OS partition.
2) If you leave an existing partition with data on it, XP's setup will consider this the C drive. And so would begin all the billion thread's with some noob asking why their system volume is now F:.

Back up the data to another computer or to disc. No "backup" is ever stored on the same computer. Boot from your XP CDs, and follow the instructions. It's that easy.
Click to expand...
Also, the multiple-partition thing is just unnecessary. You can install Windows without removing any current data, and any always-on storage device should be considered suspect when you get hammered by a virus. You get the hassles laid out above with no real benefits.
 
djnes said:
Two problems with this:

1) 5-6 GB isn't nearly enough for most people for an OS partition.
2) If you leave an existing partition with data on it, XP's setup will consider this the C drive. And so would begin all the billion thread's with some noob asking why their system volume is now F:.

Back up the data to another computer or to disc. No "backup" is ever stored on the same computer. Boot from your XP CDs, and follow the instructions. It's that easy.
Click to expand...


My entire XP partition is 5gigs total, and takes up less thne 3gig right now with all updates currently installed.


So tell me how doubled that space isn't enough?
 
Komataguri said:
My entire XP partition is 5gigs total, and takes up less thne 3gig right now with all updates currently installed.


So tell me how doubled that space isn't enough?
Click to expand...

Well, considering it's in extreme good computing practices to install all apps in the Program Files directory, 5 to 6 GB doesn't give you very much at all.

My UT2004 directory is 5 GB by itself. Add on another 4.44 GB for Half Life 2 and it's Valve crap, and we're approaching 10 GB for two games. It's been beaten to death on here, but there's absolutely no reason to install apps or games elsewhere, so, I'll state again that 5 - 6 GB isn't enough at all.

You must not use your computer for anything more than web browsing and e-mail if you are going to sit and argue with me that 5 - 6 GB is plenty.
 
I install my programs on the non-windows drive so I don't worry about loosing save games and stats and maps when I have to reformat. I'll have to reinstall the software of course to get it to work, but still.

Less active files on the windows drive also means it dosn't get fragmented as quickly.
 
Komataguri said:
I install my programs on the non-windows drive so I don't worry about loosing save games and stats and maps when I have to reformat. I'll have to reinstall the software of course to get it to work, but still.

Less active files on the windows drive also means it dosn't get fragmented as quickly.
Click to expand...

I'd suggest you do a little more research into how Windows works before you start yet another round of arguing where you were wrong.

Active files doesn't necessarily mean more fragmentation. If you have an ounce of knowledge of file structure, you can very easily back up your saved games. When you reformat, you have to re-install all the software anyway as you mentioned, so your not saving any time or making the job any easier.

As many of us have asked before. On these forums, people come looking for advice. If you do something that defies common good practices, you may continue to do so...we don't own your computer. But for the love of god don't instruct others to do so. We're trying to solve problems, not give advice that will result in more issues. If this OP follows your advice, in 2 days they'll be creating another thread asking how to expand their OS partition and then so on.
 
having a seperate partition with your windows installed on it is by no means a bad thing I would recommend more than 5 gig for obvious reasons but as stated before when going to reformat and install windows you dont have to erase the whole drive only the partition that windows itself is installed on..also it will not recognize the drive letter lets say F: that has data on it as C: and install the OS on it. If you install windows booting from cd rom it gives you the option to choose what drive partition to install windows on.. I guess its all in what a person prefers to do...Microsoft even suggests installing OS on seperate partition for reasons of corrupted OS files as well as virus problems..Look at windows 2000 for instance . If you didnt know what you were doing it automatically formated a 2 gig partition for just the OS itself and the rest of the HDD was for file storage and named as a different drive letter.. just my 2 cents
 
djnes said:
I'd suggest you do a little more research into how Windows works before you start yet another round of arguing where you were wrong.

Active files doesn't necessarily mean more fragmentation. If you have an ounce of knowledge of file structure, you can very easily back up your saved games. When you reformat, you have to re-install all the software anyway as you mentioned, so your not saving any time or making the job any easier.

As many of us have asked before. On these forums, people come looking for advice. If you do something that defies common good practices, you may continue to do so...we don't own your computer. But for the love of god don't instruct others to do so. We're trying to solve problems, not give advice that will result in more issues. If this OP follows your advice, in 2 days they'll be creating another thread asking how to expand their OS partition and then so on.
Click to expand...

Before you go off being an arrogant asshole making this assinine assumptions again, How are you going to save your files if something horrible goes wrong and you need to blank XP and reinstall? Dosn't happen often, but all it takes is for it to happen once.

What? Oh, your going to use your magic pixie dust? Sorry, not everyone has that.

IF, and IF he followed my advice, he would also follow the advice about installing software on the non-windows partition. So theres no need to worry about expanding the partition.

Get off your high horse, You ain't nothing special despite what you care to believe as you sit there and look down upon everyone around you.


So quit god damn trying to spark arguments with me.
 
Komataguri said:
Before you go off being an arrogant asshole making this assinine assumptions again, How are you going to save your files if something horrible goes wrong and you need to blank XP and reinstall? Dosn't happen often, but all it takes is for it to happen once.

What? Oh, your going to use your magic pixie dust? Sorry, not everyone has that.

IF, and IF he followed my advice, he would also follow the advice about installing software on the non-windows partition. So theres no need to worry about expanding the partition.

Get off your high horse, You ain't nothing special despite what you care to believe as you sit there and look down upon everyone around you.


So quit god damn trying to spark arguments with me.
Click to expand...

1) It's been well documented that quite a few software applications do not function properly when installed in non-default locations.
2) I use a little something called Norton Ghost, along with batch files and a file server to back my system up. Thanks for asking!
3) I'm not on a high horse, I just happen to speak truth about certain issues, instead of trying to confuse people. This is more of the same from you, where you post something incorrect in a thread, and then start an argument with those who correct you. Flaming is not going to cover up areas in which you are incorrect. Rather than turn this into a flame war, I'll take the high road. Your information is incorrect, so I'd suggest you deal with it, and take this as an opportunity to learn something. Those like you who simply look to argue with everyone who disagrees are killing these forums.

EDIT: On a side note, you've got PM. We're not wasting any more time flaming over another instance where your not helping the OP with misleading information.
 
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