Re: Impact of Changing XP Operating System

To the OP:
Yes, a reinstall/format will delete all data permanently. Before you
do that be sure to do a backup of all of your important data; pictures,
letters, anything you created, including your IE Favorites, e-mail names
and address Book.
Then when you're done installing, jus Restore your data from backup.

Once your data is backed up, then pop the CD in the drive, delete and
recreate the partition/s you want, and sit back and follow the screen
messages. Takes a little over an hour on most machines, more on slower
ones.

A Repair Install isn't recommended because it won't remove viruses,
malware and other problems the previous user may have on the machine.
So you are correct to do the reinstall.

HTH
Twayne


mikee <mikee@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I bought a used computer before we moved from Denver. Since
connecting to the internet, I have been getting Microsoft warnings
that the operating system may be pirated. I want to install a
different (and older) version of the XP operating system for which I
have a disk. Is there anyway to keep my existing programs and files?
I probably dont have installation disks for all of the software that
came with my computer purchase. Will all be erased when the new
operating system is installed?

In addition to the other replies: any time you get a used computer,
you should do a clean format/install of your OS. Always. You never
know what's lurking on there. If you bought licenses for the
installed software, make sure you get the licenses and media for
reinstall.



.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: back up program on XP
    ... Backup is installed automatically on XP Professional, ... reinstall Windows. ... application updates,you have to locate and install all the needed ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics)
  • Re: Where to put large programs ?
    ... Installing anything after the OS backup is made and then restore your system ... Have multiple partitions, each dedicated to a specific class of files. ... = operating system and really important or system-level ... Where possible, do not install programs on C:, since that slows down ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware)
  • Re: formatting hard drive
    ... you can't uninstall any operating system. ... reformat the drive and install another operating system cleanly. ... Clicking on that will uninstall Windows XP and revert to the ... Do you want to reformat and reinstall Windows XP? ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: URGENT - Help Needed with TOTAL System Restore
    ... I am very diligent about doing a nightly full system backup. ... My plan was to install just the OS and then install my backup ... "Windows could not start because of a hardware configuration problem. ... I'd really hate to have to reinstall all of my programs, settings, etc. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: recovery console and lass.exe error
    ... type of XP cd for running the SFC /SCANNOW command as was used to install ... versions of essential operating system files, after which a Safe Mode boot ... What your backup procedure is doing is anyone's guess, ... "bootable copy" backup of a HDD and being careful to only use the HDD ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)