reinstallation and programs

[Stephen]

If I am forced to reinstall Windows XP, is there any way in which existing
programs can be made to work without also reinstalling them? In some cases,
I do not now have the original install media.

Thanks,
Stephen

 

[John Barnett MVP]

Without the original disks you will not be able to use the software. If you
are talking about the software that came pre-install with your PC, then if
you use the PC manufacturer's restore disks or partition then all the
software will be installs just as it was when you first purchased the PC. If
on the other hand you have installed software since you purchased the
machine and you don't have the disks then they will disappear.

If you have a full retail copy of Windows XP you would be better doing as
'repair' install. That way you shouldn't loose any of the software you have
on your hard drive. See this link from my website:
http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how_do_i_repair_my_windows_xp_in.htm

If you only have restore disks you won't be able to do a repair install.

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows - Shell/User

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..

 

[Ken Blake]

If I am forced to reinstall Windows XP, is there any way in which
existing programs can be made to work without also reinstalling them?
In some cases, I do not now have the original install media.

No. Reinstalling Windows means the loss of everything on the drive,
including all your programs. Nothing will work unless you reinstall it.

Your data will also be gone, so be sure you have a good external backup of
it.

 

[Guest]

You sound very knowlegable. Could you help me?

Error Loading Kernel
You Must Reinstall Windows

Help!
Everytime I turn on the computer, it displays that message, then turns off.
I've tried starting it with the restore disk in the CD drive, but still
nothing! I've also tried restarting in Safe Mode, no good. There must be a
way to install from MS Dos or something...Please help me!

 

[John Barnett MVP]

The error message you are receiving seems to relate to Windows 98/ME so I'm
assuming, rightly or wrongly, that your PC manufacturer is using Windows
98/ME on your restore disks to start the restore process. If this is the
case then a file is corrupt on the restore disk. I suppose there are two
options.

1/ Contact the PC manufacturer to see if you can obtain (they will probably
charge you) a new copy of the restore disk(s). If, on the other hand, you
created them yourself and the original image is still on a hidden partition
on your machine, you could try burning a new set. If the image is on a
hidden partition your PC manual will tell you how to burn a new set of
disks. If the restore disks came with the machine then the restore disks are
the only source of the XP image.

2/ All restore disks contain 'images' of the operating system. The
manufacturer usually 'ghosts' the image to the CD using Norton Ghost. You
can check the contents of the first restore disk to see if it contains a
file with a GHO file extension, if this is the case then it was ghosted
using Norton Ghost. You might be able to resurrect the copy by obtaining a
copy of Norton Ghost, creating a DOS copy of the software, running it and
then opening the GHO image to see if it will install from there. Most
imaging software can be used either from within windows or in the
pre-windows (DOS) environment and by selecting the correct file will
install.

As an alternative you might contact the PC manufacturer technical support to
see if they have any better options. Either way, as the problem is related
to restore disks, I think you are going to have to contact the manufacturer
and ask if they have a solution.


--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows - Shell/User

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..