System32 error on boot

[Paul F. Longson]

I get a error on boot that I think the esaiest way to correct is to
reinstall XP over the top. QUESTION?? Will I loose all my settings and
personal settings and users etc, or will it just replace what is corrupt.
Should I backup Documents and settinsg folder and copy back after the
re-install. I can cet it to boot with the MS XP CD in the machine.

Thanks, Paul...

 

[R. C. White]

Hi, Paul.

Your are thinking of what Microsoft calls an "in-place upgrade". For their
instructions, see:
How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;q315341

This is not intended as a timesaver for reinstalling WinXP itself, but it
should preserve all your installed applications and data - and some of your
tweaks. As soon as you get your firewall and antivirus working again and
get back online, go to Windows Update to be sure you have SP1 and all the
security fixes. If you don't have SP1 included in your WinXP CD-ROM, this
can take an hour or two, even with broadband. Better figure on half a day
for the whole project.

It might be worth trying the System File Checker first. At the Run prompt,
type: sfc /scannow

SFC will compare each WinXP operating system file with the "known good" copy
held in our on-disk cache and replace any missing or damaged ones. Have
your WinXP CD-ROM handy; SFC probably will need to see that.

RC

 

[Alex Nichol]

I get a error on boot that I think the esaiest way to correct is to
reinstall XP over the top. QUESTION?? Will I loose all my settings and
personal settings and users etc, or will it just replace what is corrupt.
Should I backup Documents and settinsg folder and copy back after the
re-install.

You should always have a backup of important data - just in case of say
a power failure at a critical moment. Set the BIOS to boot CD before
Hard disk, then boot the XP CD, start Setup (do not take 'Repair' at
this stage), then after the license agreement take 'Repair
Installation'. This will retain your existing software installations,
data and most settings. But Updates will have to be run again,
especially SP1;
It is important to activate the basic XP Firewall before you ever
connect to the net to get the patches, so as to be protected against
things like the BLAST worm.