If I install windows over an existing installation

[Tash]

OK. I've got a working Win XP Pro partition. If I install XP booting from the CD over the same Windows directory, will it keep all the programs installed and the desktop the same? Senario 1 - same motherboard before and after. Senario 2 - moving the hard disk to a new system with a different motherboard.

 

[Dahak]

Senario 1 - Yes you can, I do it at work and it is called a repair install, keeps programs and settings but fixes missing files or corrupt files.
Senario 2 - Sometimes works ok, but if changing to a new motherboard, best to backup and do fresh install. But most time still can keep everthing

 

[slugg]

your best bet if you really wanna keep everything and upgrade is to move it to a new mobo first, then running a repair install. That way, you force windows to reinstall ALL your hardware...

But yea, Dahak's right. You really SHOULD reformat eventually.

 

[Tash]

Install doesn't ask you if you want to do a 'Repair Install', does it? It just says you have another install on that partition. Would you like to install into the same directory? and you reply y/n ? Am I remembering correctly?

 

[Dahak]

When you go through the setup like you would a normal install, after the licence screen it will search for any version of windows installed on the drive, and if it fines one it will ask you to press R for repair(and it starts the repair install) or ESC to not repair (will go to the partition information screen).