Reinstall Win XP-Pro

[Jo]

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

I had problems with my computer a few days ago, and in the process of
diagnosing the problem, I wound up somehow corrupting Windows. I have
resolved the original problem, but when I boot up it tells me there is
another opsys but the "name" is gibberish. Also, two Notepad screens spring
up when I boot up, apparently showing the contents for two ".ShellClassInfo"
files. (I tell ya, it's been one weird weekend... Why do these things always
happen on a weekend?? LOL)

I think the easiest way to resolve this is probably just to reinstall
Windows, but I don't want to risk losing my data files in the process. I'd
rather avoid a system-wide backup, if possible. I have my data files on a
separate partition (D on the same hard drive as Windows and my program
files (which are on C. My tech guy (who originally installed XP-Pro, and
partitioned the HD using a program I don't have) can't be reached (of
course), so I guess I will have to do this on my own. I have the original
Windows disk, but not the partitioning software.

Can I just tell the Windows disk to reinstall over top of the old
installation? Or will it insist on reformatting first? How big a risk is it
that I might lose data files on D:? Or C:? I'm thinking of stuff like my
Outlook data that is on C: drive. All the software can be reinstalled, if
need be, but I don't want to lose the data files.

Thanks very much for any help about this!

Jo

 

[Jerry]

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

Boot from the XP CD and opt to do a repair install; then select the previous
installation you want to repair. The problem could be in identifying which
is the 'correct' previous version.

"Jo" <Jo@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:E5021DF1-A3FC-4F51-90B5-066222BA7CED@microsoft.com...
>I had problems with my computer a few days ago, and in the process of
> diagnosing the problem, I wound up somehow corrupting Windows. I have
> resolved the original problem, but when I boot up it tells me there is
> another opsys but the "name" is gibberish. Also, two Notepad screens
> spring
> up when I boot up, apparently showing the contents for two
> ".ShellClassInfo"
> files. (I tell ya, it's been one weird weekend... Why do these things
> always
> happen on a weekend?? LOL)
>
> I think the easiest way to resolve this is probably just to reinstall
> Windows, but I don't want to risk losing my data files in the process. I'd
> rather avoid a system-wide backup, if possible. I have my data files on a
> separate partition (D on the same hard drive as Windows and my program
> files (which are on C. My tech guy (who originally installed XP-Pro, and
> partitioned the HD using a program I don't have) can't be reached (of
> course), so I guess I will have to do this on my own. I have the original
> Windows disk, but not the partitioning software.
>
> Can I just tell the Windows disk to reinstall over top of the old
> installation? Or will it insist on reformatting first? How big a risk is
> it
> that I might lose data files on D:? Or C:? I'm thinking of stuff like my
> Outlook data that is on C: drive. All the software can be reinstalled, if
> need be, but I don't want to lose the data files.
>
> Thanks very much for any help about this!
>
> Jo