reinstall of the OS

[drtom]

If I insert the install CD and reinstall the OS without formatting the HD do I run the risk of loosing my data files. Is it the same in W2k and Win98?

Thanks,

 

[BadBigBen]

If you do a Repair Install, you basically over install the the old install, but you keep your installed files and data intact...

if you do a regular install, you basically install another version alongside... if something goes wrong you may loose your data...

it is generally adviced to backup any data before doing an install, it is always better to be safe than to be sorry later...


Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[erikhertzel]

You can perform an in-place repair with XP:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm#RI

You can perform an in-place upgrade of W2K:

support.microsoft.com/kb/292175

You can also insert the CD and reinstall Windows 98.

All three you can do without losing data files.

Hope this helps,

Erik

 

[drtom]

Thanks Guys

 

[linney]

Repairing windows by running it over itself. You will lose all your windows updates but your files will be untouched.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP (Q315341)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q315/3/41.asp

The above article has links to possible data loss causes, but 99.99% of people have no problems.

 

[drtom]

Linny:
You would agree that the same would apply in Win98?

 

[erikhertzel]

yes

 

[drtom]

Thanks, one and all.