Equivalent of clean install of XP

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ken F.
  • Start date Start date
K

Ken F.

Can anyone describe a method of accomplishing the equivalent of a
"clean install" of XP without losing all program installations and
settings.
And, no, I don't mean a "repair" or "upgrade" install. Those haven't
worked successfully. I have done a clean install before and I'd
rather eat dirt than do that again. It's no big deal if there is no
third party software installed, but if you have a system that has a
variety of uses and been in use for any length of time it can be many
hours worth of work to get everything reinstalled and tweaked
properly. I'll forego the upgrade rather than spend the time
reinstalling.

The present situation arises from a simple upgrade of MB, CPU and
memory. I have made several attempts at both "repair" and "upgrade."
These processes go through the motions as expected but the final
result is a system that will not boot up completely. It shuts down
with a stop 7F error. Very predictable and consistent, at the same
point in the loading process every time - not random. However it WILL
boot into XP "safe mode" and run just fine that way.

Before anyone starts up with the standard refrain of "its probably bad
memory," (which is about the extent of what Microsoft describes for a
7F error) rest assured that it is not. The system has run MEMTEST86
error-free for a significant length of time. I have no reason to
suspect any hardware defects.


KF
 
-----Original Message-----
Can anyone describe a method of accomplishing the equivalent of a
"clean install" of XP without losing all program installations and
settings.
Click to expand...

It wouldn't be a clean install then.
shuts down
with a stop 7F error. Very predictable and consistent, at the same
point in the loading process every time - not random.
Click to expand...

What point in the loading process is it then?
However it WILL
boot into XP "safe mode" and run just fine that way.
Click to expand...

From safe mode, can you install the chipset drivers for
your new MB? Run "msconfig" and under the Startup tab,
uncheck everything - try rebooting to normal mode. Still
fail?

What about using msconfig's selective mode and unchecking
boxes, still fail?

I don't think you can rule out hardware yet, it sounds
like you replaced a lot more than RAM.
Do both motherboards and CPUs support APIC, and was it
turned on in both cases?

It would also help if you mentioned the exact hardware
you had, and the exact hardware you're replacing it with.
 
I think that what you want to do is not possible. You want to retain not
only your data and programs but also settings. While the first two are
possible it is not possible to do both a "clean install" and save registry
settings at the same time. As you know with Windows 9x/Me a person could
simply copy certain folders like Favourites, Application Data, and the like
to C:\My Documents. Then Deltree the C:\Windows , C:\Progra~1\Interne~1 and
C:\Progra~1\Outloo~1 directory and reinstall the OS. This amounted to a
"clean install" because the system files were wiped out as well as any
upgrades to IE and OE. However you still needed to reinstall your apps again
to create the registry settings.

You say you can boot to Safe Mode. check the Event Viewer to see if it sheds
any light on the source of the problem
Right-click on My Computer and select Manage.
Expand the Event Viewer category and locate any red-flagged error records
whose date and time correspond to the STOP errors.

Double click on an error message to see the details of that error. this
might narrow it down for you. If this doesn't help then try pulling all
unnecessary cards to see if Windows loads. Then add them back one at a time.
You might also try changing your BIOS to disable or enable "Plug n Play
aware OS"
 
A clean install is just that, formatting the drive, then doing a fresh
install of Windows XP, then installing third party software. What you're
suggesting isn't a clean install, and isn't possible. There isn't any way
of uninstalling Windows XP, leaving operable third party Windows software.
Even if there was a way of uninstalling Windows XP, and leaving third party
software on the drive, most software installs add keys and strings to the
Windows registry, and/or .dll files to the Windows folder and/or its
sub-folders, and wouldn't be able to run without those files and registry
entries.
 
Let me try to respond to all at once:
David Jones ([email protected]) wrote
What point in the loading process is it then?
Click to expand...

After the WIndows XP splash screen it goes blank for a bit - the CD
drives spin up and then there's the BSOD
From safe mode, can you install the chipset drivers for
your new MB? Run "msconfig" and under the Startup tab,
uncheck everything - try rebooting to normal mode. Still
fail?
Click to expand...

Didn't try that.
What about using msconfig's selective mode and unchecking
boxes, still fail?
Click to expand...
Didn't try that either but it sounds like a good possibility
I don't think you can rule out hardware yet, it sounds
like you replaced a lot more than RAM.
Click to expand...

CPU, RAM and MB. Nothing else. Remarkably XP never demanded
reactivation.
Do both motherboards and CPUs support APIC, and was it
turned on in both cases?
Click to expand...
I don't believe the old one did. The new did and I tried repair
installs both ways.
It would also help if you mentioned the exact hardware
you had, and the exact hardware you're replacing it with.
Click to expand...
Old board = Iwill KK266+R with Athlon XP 1500+, 1GB PC133 SDRAM (ain't
broke- I probably shouldn't have tried to fix it)
New board = Asus A7N8X Deluxe with Athlon XP 2500+, 1 GB PC3200 SDRAM

Harry Ohrn ([email protected]) wrote
I think that what you want to do is not possible. You want to retain not
only your data and programs but also settings. While the first two are
possible it is not possible to do both a "clean install" and save registry
settings at the same time. As you know with Windows 9x/Me a person could
simply copy certain folders like Favourites, Application Data, and the like
to C:\My Documents. Then Deltree the C:\Windows , C:\Progra~1\Interne~1 and
C:\Progra~1\Outloo~1 directory and reinstall the OS. This amounted to a
"clean install" because the system files were wiped out as well as any
upgrades to IE and OE. However you still needed to reinstall your apps again
to create the registry settings.
Click to expand...
Well you are geting close to what I'm after. Might it be possible to
selectively delete hardware related portions of the registry and let
those be rebuilt from scratch while leaving software related keys
intact?
You say you can boot to Safe Mode. check the Event Viewer to see if it sheds
any light on the source of the problem
Click to expand...
Did that and found no record of the 7F error.

And finally
From: T.C. (t__cruise@[REMOVE]hotmail.com) wrote
A clean install is just that, formatting the drive, then doing a fresh
install of Windows XP, then installing third party software. What you're
suggesting isn't a clean install, and isn't possible.
Click to expand...
It doesn't matter to me what you want to call it. It's the end result
I'm after.
With all due respect, that you don't know of a way to do it is not the
same thing as it being impossible. And it probably isn't going to be
the sort of thing that can be done by clicking the mouse and walking
away for an hour or two. But my experience (with MY system) is that a
clean install is a multi-hour project followed by days of discovering
fine tuning details which are missed initially. It's enough of a PITA
that I'm looking for another option. Let me choose how I wish to use
my time.
...Most software installs add keys and strings to the
Windows registry, and/or .dll files to the Windows folder and/or its
sub-folders, and wouldn't be able to run without those files and registry
entries.
Click to expand...
Right. And that's exactly the stuff I want to keep. A little creative
registry editing prior to doing a repair install seems like it might
be a step in the right direction, but it would be helpful to get some
feedback from someone who can actually identify what portions can be
eliminated and which should be kept.

KF
 
Ken F. said:
Let me try to respond to all at once:
David Jones ([email protected]) wrote


After the WIndows XP splash screen it goes blank for a bit - the CD
drives spin up and then there's the BSOD


Didn't try that.

Didn't try that either but it sounds like a good possibility


CPU, RAM and MB. Nothing else. Remarkably XP never demanded
reactivation.

I don't believe the old one did. The new did and I tried repair
installs both ways.

Old board = Iwill KK266+R with Athlon XP 1500+, 1GB PC133 SDRAM (ain't
broke- I probably shouldn't have tried to fix it)
New board = Asus A7N8X Deluxe with Athlon XP 2500+, 1 GB PC3200 SDRAM
Click to expand...

Aren't there some issues with PC3200 DDR on the A7N8X motherboards? Just out
of curiousity if you have a stick around try running some PC2700 or slower
and see what happens.

Also be sure you are not chacheing your bios or video in ram via the bios
settings. And be sure to use the normal default timings for your CPU and RAM
not the agressive settings.
 
Jibby said:
easy remove all drivers change mb then reinstall all drivers
Click to expand...

Thats the route I tend to go.

Safe Mode -> remove everything from device manager -> switch off -> swap
motherboard -> boot.

Ben
 
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