lost my settings with accidental clean install

  • Thread starter Thread starter Kurt F
  • Start date Start date
K

Kurt F

I had a virus with my computer, and had to reinstall Win
2000 (booting from the CD). It didn't give me the option
(I don't think) of either an upgrade or a clean install,
and did a clean install. All of my user settings (such as
the desktop icons) are no longer there, but it looks like
my old user name is still under the "Documents and
Settings" folder. It also looks like most/all of the data
files are still there, but none of the software runs
properly (nothing listed under Start-Programs).

Is there a way I can "undo" a clean install to get my old
settings and programs back (or is there a way I can put my
older user back in as the main user and access my old
programs?).

By the way, I'm not a "techie", just a home user that
mucks about when things go wrong.
 
Hi Kurt,

Your programs will most likely have to be reinstalled. Although you might
have data left in your old user profile / Documents and Settings, the
installation of your programs usually makes changes to the registry to tell
the program how to work etc. When you do a clean installation it erased any
of those registry changes that your applications might have made. Thus,
they no longer work. The best bet is to go to tape backup or reinstall your
applications.

KevinAnd [MSFT] - "This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and
confers no rights."
 
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