Reinstalling Windows XP

[Slay]

My desktop pc has had it.

It crashed the other day and when I try to boot it up, I get a simple message on a black screen stating a file is corrupt or damaged and needs to be reinstalled.

I looked around and I've worked out that I need to insert my original windows installation CD and hopefully that will solve it.

But my question is, once i've reinstalled my windows xp cd, will all my previously saved software, music, games, videos etc be lost?

Thanks for any helpful input on this.

 

[TrueTranssexual]

Yes, it will be lost if you do a clean installation of windows. You should first try to use the Repair option.:thumbsup:


I'm currently annoyed because I hate how slow Windows Vista has made my computer, but now I have to get a Windows XP CD to reinstall because you cant Downgrade or install XP from Vista. The only good thing about Vista is that I don't get any viruses or bugs yet.::crash:

 

[Slay]

Yes, it will be lost if you do a clean installation of windows. You should first try to use the Repair option.:thumbsup:


I'm currently annoyed because I hate how slow Windows Vista has made my computer, but now I have to get a Windows XP CD to reinstall because you cant Downgrade or install XP from Vista. The only good thing about Vista is that I don't get any viruses or bugs yet.:2 cents:

A repair option would be great. But where is that?

 

[TrueTranssexual]

A repair option would be great. But where is that?

It should be in Windows XP CD. There should be an R option for repair, if I remember correct. Just boot from the CD and it will guide you through the options. Good luck!

 

[Slay]

Thanks

 

[HELLRAISER]

what if the cd player on the computer won't eject in order to put the XP installation cd inside?

 

[24788]

I just ghost screen my computer by doing f11 + esc to reset the whole computer. I used to own a dell. I just got a new computer (asus), so I'm not sure yet. Let me see if I can get into the screen.

Did you try booting in safe mode also? Your best bet would be to repair it temp or some how get onto your computer and then save all your information on an external hard drive device. Once finished UNPLUG the EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE then reset your computer.

What are your computers specs?

 

[busenbust]

Agreed. Try booting into Safe Mode and then doing a System Restore first.

 

[Hot Mega]

It should be in Windows XP CD. There should be an R option for repair, if I remember correct. Just boot from the CD and it will guide you through the options. Good luck!

:thumbsup:

 

[TrueTranssexual]

what if the cd player on the computer won't eject in order to put the XP installation cd inside?

First, access the PC BIOS through setup to check if the CD Player is listed as the 1st one in the boot list. If this is the case and your CD Player is still not working, check to see if the device is properly attached to the computer. Worse case scenario: the CD player needs a driver that's only accesible through an OS, may be damaged, or not recognized by your computer (if it didn't come with it). Good luck!

 

[Hot Mega]

First, access the PC BIOS through setup to check if the CD Player is listed as the 1st one in the boot list. If this is the case and your CD Player is still not working, check to see if the device is properly attached to the computer. Worse case scenario: the CD player needs a driver that's only accesible through an OS, may be damaged, or not recognized by your computer (if it didn't come with it). Good luck!

Well the boot list is sequential...small, technical detail but irrespective of order the computer will go through the sequence until it finds something bootable.

As far as the cd drive's eject function if the cd drive works it should eject as the eject function only requires power not drivers.:2 cents:

 

[TrueTranssexual]

Well the boot list is sequential...small, technical detail but irrespective of order the computer will go through the sequence until it finds something bootable.

As far as the cd drive's eject function if the cd drive works it should eject as the eject function only requires power not drivers.:2 cents:

It has happened to me before that the boot sector of OS was damaged, but my computer tried to boot from the hardrive anyways. I found out that my CD drive was listed as second to harddrive and as as soon as I fixed this, I was able to reinstall windows.

Thank you for letting me know that the eject function only requires power though. :thumbsup:

 

[Hot Mega]

It has happened to me before that the boot sector of OS was damaged, but my computer tried to boot from the hardrive anyways. I found out that my CD drive was listed as second to harddrive and as as soon as I fixed this, I was able to reinstall windows.

True as damaged boot sectors will cause the drive to not boot correctly but not render it not bootable so the computer progresses through the boot list.

 

[Namreg]

if repair does not work, then remember to do the following during the reinstall:

create two partitions. make one 15GB in size for windows, and the other one with whatever space you have left. install windows on the 15GB partition, and put all your programs and "files" (aka porn) on the other partition. that way you won't lose anything from that second partition when the time comes to reinstall XP.

btw, tinyVista runs a LOT faster than regular vista. google it. been running it since december 2008, even though i have a legit copy.

 

[Slay]

Thanks again everyone for all your help.

Now another question.

I can't find my bloody windows xp installation CD.

Can you insert and use any windows xp installation CD or does it have to be the one that came with your PC?

 

[tittenman]

Thanks again everyone for all your help.

Now another question.

I can't find my bloody windows xp installation CD.

Can you insert and use any windows xp installation CD or does it have to be the one that came with your PC?

If its installed when you bought the machine (ie a recover type CD) then yes probably. An OEM (third party purchased one) is slightly different and wont complain as much. However you will need to bear in mind that once you have finished the install then you will need to also download all the additional upddates as wellvia windows update!
If you cant find your original recvery CD you may be able to request a copy (for a charge) from the manufacturer or try to purchase a copy off ebay!
Hope this helps let us know if theres anything else.

 

[Wainkerr99]

This site gives one 2 gig of free storage space. After that is is $4.95 a month.

https://mozy.com/home

 

[busenbust]

Thanks again everyone for all your help.

Now another question.

I can't find my bloody windows xp installation CD.

Can you insert and use any windows xp installation CD or does it have to be the one that came with your PC?

Any XP CD will suffice

 

[marquis2]

Before you start see if you can remove the hard drive and set it up as a slave on another computer.This way you can save your files.It might also be possible to replace the damaged file and restore working if you know what it is.