Can u reinstall xp without having to format win98

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (More info?)

Hi Geoff,

All you would need to do is a repair installation with the WinXP CD. Follow
these steps to do a repair install which should preserve your data,
settings, and programs:

1. Insert the Windows XP CD into your computer's CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM
drive.
2. Restart your computer. If you have to, change the BIOS settings to start
from
the CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM drive, and then restart your computer again.
3. At the "Welcome to Setup" page, press ENTER.
4. Press F8 to accept the Licensing Agreement.
5. Use the arrow keys to select the installation of Windows XP that you want
to
repair, and then press R to start the automatic repair process.
6. When Setup is completed, activate Windows XP.

Note that you will need your Product Key for this procedure, so have it
handy before you begin.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone
www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

"geoff" <geoff@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:C45DC2B0-4A35-42DF-8F0F-851CEBE0E65E@microsoft.com...
>I am having big problems with my xp pro with sp2. I have no boot disk, I
>have
> no icons, no start button - nothing - just a blank desktop due to a 'entry
> point not found' courtesy of MS updates.
> I had win98se and installed xp pro with sp2 over it.
> As I can not seem to get into anything (including safe mode) I may have to
> reformat and lose everything.
> But, can I reinstal xp (i don't know how-as blank screen etc) but if I
> could, do I just uninstall xp (leaving win98) and reinstall xp.
> Or, with all the problems I'm having just put win98 boot disk in and start
> again from beginning.
> I ask the above first before i attempt.
> Thanks for any suggestions.
> Geoff