re-installing XP

[Magsmom]

I am having some irratic problems with my system and I think I need to
reinstall XP but I have several questions about the procedure.
1. In looking through the instructions, it says to back up your files and
settings first. I'm not sure what all settings should be backed up ...and...

2. if the reason I am having these problems could be due to some incorrect
settings, then would I just be re-installing the problems?

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I am having some irratic problems with my system and I think I need
to reinstall XP but I have several questions about the procedure.
1. In looking through the instructions, it says to back up your
files and settings first. I'm not sure what all settings should be
backed up ...and...

2. if the reason I am having these problems could be due to some
incorrect settings, then would I just be re-installing the problems?

1) Whatever ones are important to you. I wouldn't worry much about
settings, really. It's your files (documents, spreadsheets, pictures,
music, contacts, emails, installable downloads, product keys, serial
numbers, drawings, Internet favorites, Internet bookmarks, etc and so on) I
would think you would want to copy elsewhere - off the machine completely.

2) Maybe - but maybe not. Since you have not defined the issues - not much
one could tell you there. I mean you could be having symptoms that would
point ot more of a hardware related issue than a software one. You might do
a clean installation and make the same setting that is messed up now again -
repeating the issue.

Provide more details.

Windows XP ________?
Service pack ________?
AntiVirus software installed?
AntiMalware software utilized?
Erratic issues you are having?
Your normal backup schedule and where it goes?
Your normal maintenance schedule and what it involves?
(Defragmentation, CHKDSK, Malware scanning, Old Application Removal,
Operating System update, Driver updates, application updates?)

 

[Daave]

I am having some irratic problems with my system and I think I need to
reinstall XP but I have several questions about the procedure.
1. In looking through the instructions, it says to back up your
files and settings first. I'm not sure what all settings should be
backed up ...and...

2. if the reason I am having these problems could be due to some
incorrect settings, then would I just be re-installing the problems?

In some situations, a Clean Install is recommended. However, it is
usually not necessary.

It would probably be *much* easier and quicker to diagnose and fix your
particular problem. Is this something that you would like to pursue?

 

[Magsmom]

Thanks to Philo, Shenen and Daave for your prompt response to my question and
my apologies for not getting back to you faster. A family situation came up
which has kept me from addressing my computer problems until now.

 

[Magsmom]

I previously posted some more specific info about my problem but no one
responded. See my post of 11/7/09 regarding lost items. I believe the only
way to resolve the problem is probably a re-install.

 

[Daave]

I'm not sure which post you are talking about. Might it be this one:

http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.enable.issues/msg/cd629123ce7e881f?hl=en

(In the future, please post a link to the post, so we will know what you
are referring to!)

 

[Magsmom]

Problem has been resolved by going to Control Panel - Add/Remove Windows
components:-