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    Help needed please!

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by i7freak, Nov 29, 2011.

  1. i7freak

    i7freak Notebook Enthusiast

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    So i have old desktop and its OS is corrupted(atleast thats what i guess),i dont want to lose my data on D drive.I just want to format C drive and install XP on it again.Can i format C drive,install XP on it and then boot up just like before and have all my previous data on D drive intact??
    Cheers and need prompt replies.Thanks a lot! :)
     
    i7freak, Nov 29, 2011
    #1
  2. fred2028

    fred2028 Sexy member

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    Short answer: yes

    Dunno about XP, but for Vista and later, even if you reinstall over a current installation, it will leave all of the files in a Windows.old folder.
     
    fred2028, Nov 29, 2011
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  3. deeastman

    deeastman Notebook Deity

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    Data on drive D will be intact. The new Windows install will boot to the desktop as a normal windows install but any programs you currently have installed on C: will be lost. So, can't answer if your pc will "boot up just like before". If you have any programs (not data) installed on D: they most likely will not run until you reinstall them as the registry has been replaced by the new windows install.

    There is no Windows.old folder created in a Windows XP install.
     
    deeastman, Nov 29, 2011
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  4. qhn

    qhn Notebook User

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    You can try a simple system repair first and see

    cheers ...
     
    qhn, Dec 1, 2011
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  5. ExMM

    ExMM Notebook Evangelist

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    Or you can boot up Ubuntu from USB, backup your data, then format the drive.
     
    ExMM, Dec 1, 2011
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  6. James D

    James D Notebook Prophet

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    Or he can run Windows XPE preinnstallation enviroment OS from USB and do the same :)

    I recall that actually there is WindowsO folder with old Windows if you won't format drive C.
     
    James D, Dec 1, 2011
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  7. i7freak

    i7freak Notebook Enthusiast

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    ok guys..Thanks for all ya inputs.I took a copy of data through connecting it to another desktop!
    :)
     
    i7freak, Dec 1, 2011
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  8. deeastman

    deeastman Notebook Deity

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    The Windows.old folder is a product of performing an install of Vista/Windows 7. There was never a windows.old folder created installing Windows XP over XP or any previous Windows version prior to Vista to my knowledge or experiences.

    From a Web reference:
    The typical reasons for the presence of the windows.old folder are:

    - You install Windows Vista/Windows 7 via upgrade on a machine which was running on older version of Windows especially Microsoft Windows Vista/XP/2000.
    - You perform a custom installation of Windows Vista or Windows 7 instead of an upgrade installation.
     
    deeastman, Dec 1, 2011
    #8