Install XP without formatting

abhijangda · 24-02-2007, 04:08 PM

Hey friend I am posting this thread as I think it will be very usefull for u.I was reinstalling xp and then found that we can also reinstall xp without formatting the drive C:. All u have to do is that in text based installation phase after selecting the drive u format it but don't do that u just do leave the current changes. Then setup will said that previous installation of xp was found in \windows and ask u if u want to delete the files or not. It will delete Windows folder and Documents and Settings folder. Some folder in Program Files like common files, windows update and windows nt (or other which are related to windows functioning) will be deleted and then install xp in the same way in GUI based setup mode as u do when u format ur hard disk. You have to delete the folders of the programs which u have install and then reinstall. This will be very usefull for those specially who install there windows very frequently and can save there hard disk from formatting frequently. Following folder's will be deleted:-
Documents and Settings (may be not sure)
Windows (sure)
Program Files\Windows Update, Windows NT, Common Files etc. (sure)
Note :- I have tested this only for the single boot not dual boot and it could only work if u have xp already installed on ur computer.
Good Luck

Arsenal_Gunners · 24-02-2007, 04:20 PM

Wrong section-Should be in tutorials

dheeruymv1212 · 24-02-2007, 04:28 PM

nice thank u.... i am so vexed with all da installation...but i didn't understand 1 thing tat ...can we have all da applications which installed previously..?????if so ....it's nice.....

24-02-2007, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dheeruymv1212

nice thank u.... i am so vexed with all da installation...but i didn't understand 1 thing tat ...can we have all da applications which installed previously..?????if so ....it's nice.....

If you are repairing the OS. The data will be intact.

uchiha.sasuke · 24-02-2007, 06:49 PM

@dheeruymv1212

yes i guess u can use all the installed app.. but frm the program file folder....u have to put their shortcut in program folders in Document & Setting......but there is one more thing ...these work only for the programs which are installed for all users...some programs are installed for only current user...so the 'll not work.....m not absolutely sure ,but i guess MS Office is one of them....

shantanu · 24-02-2007, 08:34 PM

Wrong section DUDE !!!! should be moved to tutorials... GOOD one

ravi_9793 · 24-02-2007, 10:54 PM

-Wrong section-

U can save ur my document folder also...u get a option for that during installation.

abhijangda · 24-02-2007, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dheeruymv1212

nice thank u.... i am so vexed with all da installation...but i didn't understand 1 thing tat ...can we have all da applications which installed previously..?????if so ....it's nice.....

Sorry, to tell u friend that not all applications can work. Some applications like Anti-Virus, Anti-Spyware, Ms Office which also make some files in windows folder might not work. But didn't worry repair them then they should work. Others apps which don't make files iin windows folder will surely work.

ravi_9793 · 24-02-2007, 11:53 PM

^^..yes U need 2 install all the drivers and required software again...n also U need to register ur Xp again.

Shasanka_Gogoi · 26-02-2007, 04:56 PM

Thanks for sharing. Appreciate that!

47shailesh · 26-02-2007, 06:09 PM

Already know that dude...

and ya you will loose MY DOCS FOLDER for that install

phreak0ut · 26-02-2007, 06:19 PM

^^Yeah and when i tried it out, it slowed down my system a hell lot slower

The Unknown · 26-02-2007, 06:33 PM

It's useless. Here's a better method:

First Install xp. now install all possible programs in D:/(non-windows drive). Keep all documents in E:/ Before reinstalling xp, export your registry to a .reg file in E:/ or D:/ Do not del all programs from D:/ After reinstallation of xp with/without formatting C:/ import your registry. All programs are avaliable!
Note: I have have never tried this but this was told to me by a friend. What he says may/may not be true.

This is a method to prevent data+program loss

47shailesh · 26-02-2007, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Unknown

It's useless. Here's a better method:

First Install xp. now install all possible programs in D:/(non-windows drive). Keep all documents in E:/ Before reinstalling xp, export your registry to a .reg file in E:/ or D:/ Do not del all programs from D:/ After reinstallation of xp with/without formatting C:/ import your registry. All programs are avaliable!
Note: I have have never tried this but this was told to me by a friend. What he says may/may not be true.

This is a method to prevent data+program loss

If you r not sure then why create a chaos here

Also WHAT ABOUT THE COMMON FOLDERS:

Do You want user to copy that too the daily basis

Dude what @abhijangda suggested not "USELESS"

The Unknown · 26-02-2007, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 47shailesh

If you r not sure then why create a chaos here

Also WHAT ABOUT THE COMMON FOLDERS:

Do You want user to copy that too the daily basis

Dude what @abhijangda suggested not "USELESS"

i dont knw. r those reqd?

47shailesh · 26-02-2007, 09:14 PM

ya dude file in common folders are required coz they are shared by many programs in system that's why they are kept in common folder..

Also when you install a program they always do not go to program fils and regisitry only manier times there fragmenst are distributed in Windows folder also.
So copying only the sw folders in prog files is not the sol always..

hope u got that

The Unknown · 26-02-2007, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 47shailesh

ya dude file in common folders are required coz they are shared by many programs in system that's why they are kept in common folder..

Also when you install a program they always do not go to program fils and regisitry only manier times there fragmenst are distributed in Windows folder also.
So copying only the sw folders in prog files is not the sol always..

hope u got that

u mean that the trick wud not work??

ismart · 27-02-2007, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Unknown

It's useless. Here's a better method:

First Install xp. now install all possible programs in D:/(non-windows drive). Keep all documents in E:/ Before reinstalling xp, export your registry to a .reg file in E:/ or D:/ Do not del all programs from D:/ After reinstallation of xp with/without formatting C:/ import your registry. All programs are avaliable!
Note: I have have never tried this but this was told to me by a friend. What he says may/may not be true.

This is a method to prevent data+program loss

All info are UNKNOWN for me....thanx a lo for sharing.