I have 2 Windows XP problems that I could really use some help on, and I would very much appreciate

N

Neil Sheppard

I have 2 Windows XP problems that I could really use some help on, and I
would very much appreciate some good advice!

I recently re-installed Windows XP Pro on my Sony Vaio Desktop using the
system discs I created myself. Knowing that I would wipe out the "C" and "D"
drive, I installed an additional internal backup drive designated as an "E"
drive, My "C" drive was partitioned as a " C" and "D" drive. Naturally I
backed up all my data and programs etc on my "E" drive and when I did the
re-install I was warned I'd lose the data on my "MAIN" "C & D"drives which I
anticipated. As it turned out my "E" drive was also completely wiped clean
to the bone also!
Question 1: I wondered if there is anyway to get that drive back with the
data, and if so how?

2: I am using the system discs I created on my Sony Vaio Desktop a while
back. I recall doing an re-install of Windows XP last year that gave me the
option of just restoring Windows and not losing any data or formatting
anything. It was simple and it worked fine every time. For the life of me I
can no longer find that option. I'm wondering if it is because I'm using the
system discs or is there something I am missing or ot doing properly to find
the option I need?
As I said I need help on this ASAP and I thank you in advance for taking the
time and trouble to straighten me out It means a great deal to me!

Neil Sheppard
 
K

Ken Blake, MVP

Neil said:
I have 2 Windows XP problems that I could really use some help on,
and I would very much appreciate some good advice!

I recently re-installed Windows XP Pro on my Sony Vaio Desktop using
the system discs I created myself. Knowing that I would wipe out the
"C" and "D" drive, I installed an additional internal backup drive
designated as an "E" drive, My "C" drive was partitioned as a " C"
and "D" drive. Naturally I backed up all my data and programs etc on
my "E" drive


Two points here:

1. If you are reinstalling Windows, it's certainly good to back up your
data, but backing up your programs is useless. Except for an occasional
trivial program, all programs have many references to them throughout
Windows, in the registry and elsewhere. If you reinstall Windows these
references will be lost, and you will also have to reinstall your programs.

2. Backup to a second non-removable hard drive is better than no backup at
all, but just barely. It still leaves you susceptible to simultaneous loss
of the original and backup to many of the most common dangers: user error,
severe power glitches, nearby lightning strikes, virus attacks, even theft
of the computer. You seem to have lost your backup to the first of those
vulnerabilities

and when I did the re-install I was warned I'd lose the
data on my "MAIN" "C & D"drives which I anticipated. As it turned out
my "E" drive was also completely wiped clean to the bone also!
Question 1: I wondered if there is anyway to get that drive back with
the data, and if so how?


It isn't clear to me exactly what you did and how you did it, but you might
google for an unformat utility program and see if that can help. If this
fails, your only other recourse is to take the drive to a professional file
recovery company. This kind of service is very expensive and may or may not
work in your case.

2: I am using the system discs I created on my Sony Vaio Desktop a
while back. I recall doing an re-install of Windows XP last year that
gave me the option of just restoring Windows and not losing any data
or formatting anything. It was simple and it worked fine every time.
For the life of me I can no longer find that option. I'm wondering if
it is because I'm using the system discs or is there something I am
missing or ot doing properly to find the option I need?
As I said I need help on this ASAP and I thank you in advance for
taking the time and trouble to straighten me out It means a great
deal to me!


Are you thinking of a Repair Installation? You do it from the XP
Installation CD. Read here: "How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install"
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
 

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