install windows xp on top of itself

[msi]

I'm having some things goofy on my system and wonder if i can re install
windows xp on top of itself without loosing anything at all. i backed up
stuff to my second drive, but just curious if it is even possible with
windows xp to install right smak on top of itself while keeping every single
setting and application exactly the same. so i can re install windows, but
not have to do anything else to it once it reboots. all my apps, settings
etc are the same just like i never reinstalled win xp.

 

[Rich Barry]

What you are referring to is called a Repair Install. Check here for more
Info
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

 

[Menno Hershberger]

You're not saying *why* you want to reinstall, but apparently you must be
having some problems. Yes, you can do a "repair" install. Boot from your
Windows installation CD and follow the prompts... be sure NOT to pick the
first "R" that comes along which would take you to the Recovery Console.
Go until it asks if you want to install Windows. It will then detect that
you already have an installation and will ask you if you want to do a
repair install or a new install. Pick "repair". This won't alter any of
your existing files. But it *might* not fix your original problem
either. It probably won't make it any worse and there's a chance it'll
fix it.

 

[msi]

You're not saying *why* you want to reinstall, but apparently you must be
having some problems. Yes, you can do a "repair" install. Boot from your
Windows installation CD and follow the prompts... be sure NOT to pick the
first "R" that comes along which would take you to the Recovery Console.
Go until it asks if you want to install Windows. It will then detect that
you already have an installation and will ask you if you want to do a
repair install or a new install. Pick "repair". This won't alter any of
your existing files. But it *might* not fix your original problem
either. It probably won't make it any worse and there's a chance it'll
fix it.

Thanks guys. Umm, I think I have tried a repair one time a long time ago and
it did mess up windows in that doesn't it tell you windows is already
installed and it says it needs to install into another directory? I think it
does, but don't remember 100%. I'm just asking cus i can't remember.