XP Reload

[Guest]

I have been having computer problems and I had to reload windows xp. I did
not have to reformat my machine just reinstall the software. I have software
loaded on the machine that is still under the Folfer "Program Files" but the
software does not work. Do you know of any software out there that can help
reinstall the software that is already on the machine. Unfortunately I don't
have the CD's for the software that is on my machine. Thanks very much for
your help.

 

[Rob]

Reinstalling windows over an existing installation is a bad idea. Many if
not most of the programs you had installed will not work for various reasons
including but not limited to registry settings.

The best practice is to clean install after reformatting your harddrive. If
you do not have your original system restore cds then the only way to
install the software would be to call your pc maker and see if they can sell
you the disks. No doubt though you'll need your proof of purchase if you
haven't called them before or registered your pc.

 

[Malke]

I have been having computer problems and I had to reload windows xp.
I did
not have to reformat my machine just reinstall the software. I have
software loaded on the machine that is still under the Folfer "Program
Files" but the
software does not work. Do you know of any software out there that
can help
reinstall the software that is already on the machine. Unfortunately
I don't
have the CD's for the software that is on my machine. Thanks very
much for your help.

There is no way to reinstall programs without having the installation
media (CD's, installation executable if downloaded from the Internet).
From your description of your problems, you should back up your data
and clean-install Windows. You will need to either purchase the
programs for which you don't have installation media or find others.

http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html - Clean Install How-To
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#reinstall_Windows - What
you will need on-hand

Malke

 

[Rock]

Reinstalling windows over an existing installation is a bad idea. Many if
not most of the programs you had installed will not work for various reasons
including but not limited to registry settings.

The best practice is to clean install after reformatting your harddrive. If
you do not have your original system restore cds then the only way to
install the software would be to call your pc maker and see if they can sell
you the disks. No doubt though you'll need your proof of purchase if you
haven't called them before or registered your pc.

I don't understand why you say this. A repair install will maintain
program installations and user data. Yes things can go wrong so there
should always be a full and complete backup, but often times the process
works just fine. And if you try it and it doesn't work, you're no worse
off.