Want to do clean install of XP without formatting hard disk

[BK]

Hi,

Want to do a totally clean install of XP on my PC (single hard disk) without
formatting the hard disk. I want to retain a lot of data folders without
putting them onto CD and i don't want to partitition my hard disk.

If I install XP over my existing installation, I will still have a lot of
the previously installed software lurking around in my c:\windows and
c:\program files folders.

Whats the best way I can do a clean install? remove the above two folders
and install XP from CD???

BK

[NJ]

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315341

BK wrote in microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support:

[Sonny]

You can install XP over itself. This is called a "Repair Install". It will
install XP in it's original state without effecting your data or programs
installed. This was called a dirty install with Windows 9X, however with XP,
this is actually a very clean install. You will have to reapply SP1 and
any/all updates from Windows Update.

"BK" <cont...@mail.com> wrote in message
news:eYzrb8OuCHA.2296@TK2MSFTNGP10...

[Aaron Fleming]

Try using the files and Settings Transfer Wizard.

"BK" <cont...@mail.com> wrote in message
news:eYzrb8OuCHA.2296@TK2MSFTNGP10...

[BK]

So if i totally want to lose all the files in windows and program files,
will a reinstall of XP clear them all up. I have installed a lot of software
over the last 2-3 years (using Win98 previously) and want to make it a
totally clean start without formatting the hard disk.

What would happen if I delete c:\windows and c:\program files folder and
then reboot on the XP installation CD??

B
"Sonny" <sonny...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:upiP1CPuCHA.2540@TK2MSFTNGP10...

[BK]

So if i totally want to lose all the files in windows and program files,
will a reinstall of XP clear them all up. I have installed a lot of software
over the last 2-3 years (using Win98 previously) and want to make it a
totally clean start without formatting the hard disk.

What would happen if I delete c:\windows and c:\program files folder and
then reboot on the XP installation CD??

"BK" <cont...@mail.com> wrote in message
news:eYzrb8OuCHA.2296@TK2MSFTNGP10...

[BK]

So if i totally want to lose all the files in windows and program files,
will a reinstall of XP clear them all up. I have installed a lot of software
over the last 2-3 years (using Win98 previously) and want to make it a
totally clean start without formatting the hard disk.

What would happen if I delete c:\windows and c:\program files folder and
then reboot on the XP installation CD??

"BK" <cont...@mail.com> wrote in message
news:eYzrb8OuCHA.2296@TK2MSFTNGP10...

[Jupiter Jones]

Do not confuse a Clean Installation with a Repair Installation.
A clean Installation, does what it suggests, cleans the entire drive
(format etc) all data is destroyed.
A repair Installation (In place upgrade) leaves all applications
intact, repairs issues with windows files.
You want to replace the c:\windows and c:\program folders, eliminate
all applications and keep your files.
You can not do what it sounds like you want to do.
A repair Installation (In place upgrade) leaves all applications
intact.
You need to back-up your important files and perform a Clean
Installation to achieve what you want:
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp

--
Jupiter Jones
An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
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Please respond to newsgroup only for everyone's benefit.

"BK" <cont...@mail.com> wrote in message
news:eYzrb8OuCHA.2296@TK2MSFTNGP10...

[Jupiter Jones]

Sonny:
Are you using the Terms Clean Install and Repair Install as the same
thing?
They are far from the same:
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp
(Destroys all data)
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_repair_install.htm (leaves data
and applications intact)
A repair Installation is NOT a "very clean install".

--
Jupiter Jones
An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/setup.asp
Please respond to newsgroup only for everyone's benefit.

"Sonny" <sonny...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:upiP1CPuCHA.2540@TK2MSFTNGP10...

[BK]

Thanks, I thought as much. Ill go for a boot from CD and format the drive.

B

"Jupiter Jones" <jones_...@hotnomail.com> wrote in message
news:utoVRvPuCHA.1816@TK2MSFTNGP10...

[Steve Myers]

Think about this phrase.

[Michael Stevens]

"BK" <cont...@mail.com> wrote in message

news:OtFQ1LPuCHA.1656@TK2MSFTNGP09...

> So if i totally want to lose all the files in windows and program files,
> will a reinstall of XP clear them all up. I have installed a lot of
software
> over the last 2-3 years (using Win98 previously) and want to make it a
> totally clean start without formatting the hard disk.
>
> What would happen if I delete c:\windows and c:\program files folder and
> then reboot on the XP installation CD??
>

BK,
You can delete the Program Files, Windows, and Documents and Settings
folder. Then delete the following root files.
a.. Boot.ini
b.. Ntbootdd.sys
c.. Ntdetect.com
d.. NTLDR
e.. Hiberfil.sys
f.. Pagefile.sys
You will need to do this by booting from the XP CD and load Recovery
Console.
You can then reboot with the XP CD and choose the location for setup. Do not
format.
In any procedure as intensive as a OS change, make sure you backup all
important data.
--

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
xpn...@michaelstevenstech.com
http://michaelstevenstech.com

[Sonny]

Sorry Jupiter, but I have done it and it does a very good job in getting you
out of trouble. As stated, you have to reapply all updates. If in the best
of all worlds, I personally prefer to use Files and Settings Transfer Wizard
to save my settings (all data is on another partition) and do an actual
clean install.

"Jupiter Jones" <jones_...@hotnomail.com> wrote in message

news:u00wVxPuCHA.1676@TK2MSFTNGP10...

[Michael Stevens]

"Sonny" <sonny...@hotmail.com> wrote in message

news:Oflt0eSuCHA.2296@TK2MSFTNGP09...

> Sorry Jupiter, but I have done it and it does a very good job in getting
you
> out of trouble. As stated, you have to reapply all updates. If in the best
> of all worlds, I personally prefer to use Files and Settings Transfer
Wizard
> to save my settings (all data is on another partition) and do an actual
> clean install.

I don't think JJ was saying the repair install is not effective. JJ is
saying Repair Install and Clean Install are far from the same thing and
would not give the OP what they were looking for.
See my reply to BK, this will give a close approximation of a clean install
without formatting.
Below is my web page on Repair Install in case you think I am not familiar
with the procedure. 8-)
http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
--

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
xpn...@michaelstevenstech.com
http://michaelstevenstech.com

> "Jupiter Jones" <jones_...@hotnomail.com> wrote in message

[Jupiter Jones]

Sonny;
I never suggested Repair Install did not do a good job.
Repair Install is great at fixing Windows XP and leaving data and
applications in place.
What I am saying is a Repair Install is not a Clean Install.
They are two different procedures to accomplish two different things.
Both are very valuable tools and both work very well.
Neither of these procedures do what he wants.
Repair leaves all the old program files. (OP wants the program files
gone).
Clean Install destroys all data on the partition. (OP wants to save
data).

--
Jupiter Jones
An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/setup.asp
Please respond to newsgroup only for everyone's benefit.

"Sonny" <sonny...@hotmail.com> wrote in message

news:Oflt0eSuCHA.2296@TK2MSFTNGP09...

[just-ducky]

By definition a "Clean" install is to a freshly formatted disk.
What you wish to do is known as a "Lighlty-Dusted" install.

steve

"BK" <cont...@mail.com> wrote in message
news:eYzrb8OuCHA.2296@TK2MSFTNGP10...