reinstall XP - old programs still work?

[John Smith]

It has come to the point where I may have to reinstall XP. If I do
so, would the old installed programs still work (no need to
reinstall them)? Or do I have to reinstall all the programs also?

 

[Shenan Stanley]

It has come to the point where I may have to reinstall XP. If I do
so, would the old installed programs still work (no need to
reinstall them)? Or do I have to reinstall all the programs also?

If you actually format and install XP - everything is gone. You'd have to
reinstall anything you wanted to work and restore from backups any of your
files you wanted to keep originally.

In *most cases* - performing a repair (in-place) installation will not have
this requirment and your installed apps will remain intact.

In ALL cases - a backup before you take such a drastic step is suggested.

 

[John Smith]

If you actually format and install XP - everything is gone. You'd have to
reinstall anything you wanted to work and restore from backups any of your
files you wanted to keep originally.

In *most cases* - performing a repair (in-place) installation will not have
this requirment and your installed apps will remain intact.

In ALL cases - a backup before you take such a drastic step is suggested.

Thanks for the prompt reply.

I don't plan to format the harddisk. I just want to install the
new XP on top of the old one.

I did try the repair/recovery option and was confronted with a DOS
prompt. I did not know where to go from there. That's why I'm
think about reinstallation.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

It has come to the point where I may have to reinstall XP. If I do
so, would the old installed programs still work (no need to
reinstall them)? Or do I have to reinstall all the programs also?

If you actually format and install XP - everything is gone. You'd
have to reinstall anything you wanted to work and restore from
backups any of your files you wanted to keep originally.

In *most cases* - performing a repair (in-place) installation will
not have this requirment and your installed apps will remain
intact.

In ALL cases - a backup before you take such a drastic step is
suggested.

Thanks for the prompt reply.

I don't plan to format the harddisk. I just want to install the
new XP on top of the old one.

I did try the repair/recovery option and was confronted with a DOS
prompt. I did not know where to go from there. That's why I'm
think about reinstallation.

You didn't try the right thing - exactly. heh

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