How can I reinstall XP but save all my files, drivers, and programs that I want? I don't have a lot of the CDs used to install these anymore and I don't want to lose them? And I don't feel like spending HOURS backing all my files up on CDs... is there an easier way?? I have other computers at my disposal, too.

Jump drive? Those little stick thingys? Not sure what its really called? Don't get all over me if I called it by a wrong name okay! We jokingly said, at the first sighting of one at my office, wow that gives new meaning to the term computer sex. :eek: And we've called it that ever since.

And I have been wondering where you've been Doc!

You can do what is known as a repair.
Basically this will "reset" your XP by reinstalling the default files for operation without changing your current settings.
To go this route you need to make sure you have an XP disc, NOT an OEM (branded) restore disc as this will flatten your machine to factory settings.

All you need to do is boot to your XP disc and follow the directions for installing a new copy.
Normally you'll have to go through a few things first, bear with my as I'm going from memory.
So boot on to cd as normal
Let it install any drivers it needs
Accept the licence (F8)
OK you'll get a couple of options here, namely repair with recovery console and new installation.
You want the new installation option.
It will do a bit of detect to see what's already installed and then give you a couple more options.
One if install a new copy and the other is repair the highlighted one.

This is the repair you want, go for it and leave it to cook for 30-40 minutes checking now and again in case it needs any input from you.

Hope this helps, give me a shout if you need any more info.

Jump drive? Those little stick thingys?? Not sure what its really called? Don't get all over me if I called it by a wrong name okay!! We jokingly said, at the first sighting of one at my office, wow that gives new meaning to the term computer sex. :eek: And we've called it that ever since.

And I have been wondering where you've been Doc!

A jump drive sex stick thingy? My girlfriend might be interested in something like that lol yeah, that's kind of like using a CD. You have to manually move all your files onto it. But I don't think they make those thingys with enough memory yet... the CDs I have hold like 700Mbs (which still isn't enough). Either way, my work comp has SOOOOO many files and programs, it would just take forever!

And by the way, I've been here, just been lurking around... :cool:



You can do what is known as a repair.
Basically this will "reset" your XP by reinstalling the default files for operation without changing your current settings.
To go this route you need to make sure you have an XP disc, NOT an OEM (branded) restore disc as this will flatten your machine to factory settings.

All you need to do is boot to your XP disc and follow the directions for installing a new copy.
Normally you'll have to go through a few things first, bear with my as I'm going from memory.
So boot on to cd as normal
Let it install any drivers it needs
Accept the licence (F8)
OK you'll get a couple of options here, namely repair with recovery console and new installation.
You want the new installation option.
It will do a bit of detect to see what's already installed and then give you a couple more options.
one if install a new copy and the other is repair the highlighted one.

This is the repair you want, go for it and leave it to cook for 30-40 mins checking now and again incase it needs any input from you.

Hope this helps, give me a shout if you need any more info.


This sounds like what I might need to do. I have a copy of the XP CD somewhere. I will give that a shot and see how it goes.