installing windows xp on top of windows xp

[michael_g_12]

ok this is what i am faced with...a computer of mine has somehow gotten
corupted...some system32 files are gone and windows will not load...so
i can't back up data...i have tried the repair instal but have had no
sucess...it says that a file is missing and then stops...soo...my
alternative i was thing was just to do a full windows instal...install
windows on top of windows...is this possible? and will i lose data? i
also heard that it might just make a mirror copy in another
folder...any advice is apreciated

Mike

 

[Shenan Stanley]

ok this is what i am faced with...a computer of mine has somehow
gotten corupted...some system32 files are gone and windows will not
load...so i can't back up data...i have tried the repair instal but
have had no sucess...it says that a file is missing and then
stops...soo...my alternative i was thing was just to do a full
windows instal...install windows on top of windows...is this
possible? and will i lose data? i also heard that it might just
make a mirror copy in another folder...any advice is apreciated

In order to keep all your applications and such - a repair install is your
only choice in the "installation paths" available to you.

Repair Install should fix your issue. Make sure you follow the directions
as laid out..

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341

A parallel install will give you access to everything and not delete it -
but you will still have to reinstall all your applications and copy all your
files after probably taking ownership of them. That is done by just not
deleting the partition when choosing where to install Windows XP during the
setup.

A clean install means everything you did not get off is gone. You choose to
delete the partition, create a new one, format it and install anew.

You could use something like an Ultimate Boot CD to copy your files/folders
elsewhere - or use the parallel install method and taking ownership to do
that. In any case - if the repair install does not work - a clean install
is your best bet.

 

[Ron Sommer]

inline

In order to keep all your applications and such - a repair install is your
only choice in the "installation paths" available to you.

Repair Install should fix your issue. Make sure you follow the directions
as laid out..

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341

A parallel install

to a separate partition