in place upgrade

[alter]

I need to install windows XP on itself (also called in place upgrade); I
don't want to delete all the installed software and the user settings.
I putted in the windows cd and it gone directly at the patition select page;
it will give me later the option to select a repair or a new installation?
I don't remember the exact order of the option screens and I'm warry about
a data loss. Thanks.

 

[John John]

If you are worried about data loss backup the data *before* you proceed
with this! While in-place upgrades are usually safe, anything can
happen when you install or reinstall the operating system, it is best
not to proceed without proper backups!

For repai installation there is all kinds of information in the links
here:
http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0geu_QgNpdHKwoBvARXNyoA?p=repair+install+&y=Search&fr=&ei=UTF-8

John

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I need to install windows XP on itself (also called in place
upgrade); I don't want to delete all the installed software and the
user settings. ..
I putted in the windows cd and it gone directly at the patition
select page; it will give me later the option to select a repair or
a new installation? I don't remember the exact order of the option
screens and I'm warry about a data loss. Thanks.

It's known as a repair installation...
Depending on whether or not the installation media you are attempting to use
has been customized in any way - you may or may not be able to utilize it to
perform a repair installation.

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341