Is it possible to overwrite XP Pro with a new copy

[Guest]

I have a machine which got a virus in due to AV failing to update (a long
story but thankfully someone else's fault, I just have to fix it) and when
the viruses were remove it trashed some of the windows and made it very
flakey, so, is it possible to overwrite the old copy of Win XP with a new one
WITHOUT losing all the programs etc. just like you could with Win ME. the
last time I tried it all I got was Windows Loading a clean copy and trashing
all the documents and links to programs.
Or am I going to have to bite the bullet and reformat and re install?

 

[Newt Ownsquare]

XP Repair install
http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

--
Hope this helps,
Newt
Lat: 39° 59' 12" N, Lon: 75° 24' 2" W


| I have a machine which got a virus in due to AV failing to update (a long
| story but thankfully someone else's fault, I just have to fix it) and when
| the viruses were remove it trashed some of the windows and made it very
| flakey, so, is it possible to overwrite the old copy of Win XP with a new one
| WITHOUT losing all the programs etc. just like you could with Win ME. the
| last time I tried it all I got was Windows Loading a clean copy and trashing
| all the documents and links to programs.
| Or am I going to have to bite the bullet and reformat and re install?

 

[Doug Sherman [MVP]]

Yes, this is called a repair install or an in-place upgrade. See:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;315341

Doug Sherman
MCSE, MCSA, MCP+I, MVP

 

[Fitz]

Windows XP can try a Repair Installation...here's a link to a how to:

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

Fitz

 

[Guest]

hi a lotta answers there yea you can do an over the top installation I've
done it many times... there are risks your programmes might have to be
reinstalled you wont loose any files its best if you back up all your files
just to be safe.. at times i have noticed that mp3 files can get corrupted
while doing an over the top installation..
Is this your office computer or home pc? if it is your office computer and
you have an it team ask them to do it fir you if it is your home pc send me a
mail at (e-mail address removed) and I'l send you the steps on how you can do it//
Will be waiting for your reply..

Joey

 

[Davy]

Think you may be wiser to scan the wanted files and then copy to
disk then do a complete install but you'll need the mobo drivers a
well

There are as you know viruses and viruses, they hide just abou
anywhere and some are memory resident, meaning they will jump to RA
and then and then wait for the next item to be written to disc o
HDD

A clean install I would say is the best approach with the descriptio
you given

Dav

 

[Yves Leclerc]

I have a machine which got a virus in due to AV failing to update (a long
story but thankfully someone else's fault, I just have to fix it) and when
the viruses were remove it trashed some of the windows and made it very
flakey, so, is it possible to overwrite the old copy of Win XP with a new one
WITHOUT losing all the programs etc. just like you could with Win ME. the
last time I tried it all I got was Windows Loading a clean copy and trashing
all the documents and links to programs.
Or am I going to have to bite the bullet and reformat and re install?

You can do a replace re-install of XP, as mentioned before. However, you have
one important requirement: an original XP install CD, with the same service
pack level as currently install.


Most System Recovery CDs do not seem to be able to do a repair re-install.
They just replace the entire disk contents with a hard drive image backup at
the time the PC left the factory.

 

[Guest]

Recommend a Repair install as Doug stated. Remember once you complete
the repair install and it is running OK, DO NOT reboot but make a Restore
Point first. Then reboot and go to disk cleanup and delete all previous
restore points except the last one (automatic) under Disk Cleanup>More
options.
There is a great possibility that the virus could be in one of your previous
restore points and must be deleted.

 

[Infosink]

Turn off computer.

Start computer but do not boot to Windows, instead zero-fill the harddrive
with a zero-fill utility (such as from Maxtor from a maxtor disc [not
download]).

Now, for pretty sure the virus is gone, at least from the harddrive.

Now rebuild your Windows system from scratch being careful to take all
reasonable precautions. Make sure you take Windows to SP2 level BEFORE first
connecting to the Internet. Stop downloading the ActiveX infest pawrn as 75%
of non-email viruses come from such things and even their websites tend to
be infested with rotting jscripts.

That naughty, naughty, naughty "someone else". Daddy should spank them ..

 

[herbzee]

You can do a replace re-install of XP, as mentioned before. However, you have
one important requirement: an original XP install CD, with the same service
pack level as currently install.


Most System Recovery CDs do not seem to be able to do a repair re-install.
They just replace the entire disk contents with a hard drive image backup at
the time the PC left the factory.

Yves, I'm picking up the thread, I tried to do a reinstall, per your
1stt paragraph, and it wiped out my authentic windows position; it now
says I have a pirated copy.
Aside from that, my situation is that I installed SP2 on top of the
original just recently (which had SP1). How do I meet the requirements
of your pp 2?
cheers-Herb.

 

[herbzee]

You can do a replace re-install of XP, as mentioned before. However, you have
one important requirement: an original XP install CD, with the same service
pack level as currently install.


Most System Recovery CDs do not seem to be able to do a repair re-install.
They just replace the entire disk contents with a hard drive image backup at
the time the PC left the factory.

Yves, I'm picking up the thread, I tried to do a reinstall, per your
1stt paragraph, and it wiped out my authentic windows position; it now
says I have a pirated copy.
Aside from that, my situation is that I installed SP2 on top of the
original just recently (which had SP1). How do I meet the requirements
of your pp 2?
cheers-Herb.

 

[Michael Stevens]

In

Yves, I'm picking up the thread, I tried to do a reinstall, per your
1stt paragraph, and it wiped out my authentic windows position; it now
says I have a pirated copy.
Aside from that, my situation is that I installed SP2 on top of the
original just recently (which had SP1). How do I meet the requirements
of your pp 2?
cheers-Herb.

Your reply made no sense the first time you posted it and still doesn't.


--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
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