Can I reload WinXP Pro without wiping out other stuff on the disk?

[Guest]

I seem to have been hit by a virus, which has messed up some parts of the
operating system. I've been told that reloading the operating system (Win XP
Pro) is a good idea. But if I do, will it mess up other things on the disk,
such as my MS Office settings, Explorer cookies and history, etc.?

 

[Malke]

I seem to have been hit by a virus, which has messed up some parts of the
operating system. I've been told that reloading the operating system (Win XP
Pro) is a good idea. But if I do, will it mess up other things on the disk,
such as my MS Office settings, Explorer cookies and history, etc.?

Yes. A clean install will wipe out everything.

http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html - Clean Install How-To
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Reinstalling_Windows -
What you will need on-hand

You might try cleaning the computer first. Since I don't know what "hit
by a virus" entails or what you've tried, all I can suggest is:

Go through these general malware removal steps systematically -
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

Include scanning with David Lipman's Multi_AV and follow instructions to
do all scans in Safe Mode.

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Multi-AV - instructions
http://pcdid.com/Multi_AV.htm - download

You can also check to see if there are targeted removal steps for your
malware here:
Bleeping Computer removal how-to's -
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/forum55.html

When all else fails, run HijackThis and post your log in one of the
specialty forums listed at the first link above (not here, please).

Standard caveat: If the procedures look too complex - and there is no
shame in admitting this isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a
professional computer repair shop (not your local version of
BigComputerStore/GeekSquad). Please be aware that not all local shops
are skilled at removing malware and even if they are, your computer may
be so infested that Windows will need to be clean-installed. Have all
your data backed up before you take the machine into a shop.


Malke

 

[HeyBub]

I seem to have been hit by a virus, which has messed up some parts of
the operating system. I've been told that reloading the operating
system (Win XP Pro) is a good idea. But if I do, will it mess up
other things on the disk, such as my MS Office settings, Explorer
cookies and history, etc.?

You CAN reload XP, but that won't get rid of the virus unless the virus has
infected an operating system function. The virus could just as easily attack
some utility not involved in a re-install process.

For example, viruses are known to propogate via Microsoft Word documents, IM
files, and stale beer.

No, make every effort to erradicate the virus in situ.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I seem to have been hit by a virus, which has messed up some parts of the
operating system. I've been told that reloading the operating system (Win XP
Pro) is a good idea. But if I do, will it mess up other things on the disk,
such as my MS Office settings, Explorer cookies and history, etc.?

Yes it will. Reloading the operating system by doing a clean
reinstallation will remove *everything* that is currently on the
drive, including your data and all the things you mention.

Answer *all* of the following questions, please: What virus do you
have? How do you know it's a virus? What antivirus software do you
run? Did you try to use it to remove the virus? What happened? Who
told you to reinstall Windows? It's very seldom necessary.