Reinstall XP without deleting my original partition...?

JkiD2k2

Senior member
Jun 24, 2001
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I have already posted a topic on this before but I still haven't been able to fix it. Somehow some of my system files got deleted and now when I try and start up it says cannot load beacuse of the missing files in windows. So i'm trying to figure out what option to use on my XP cd when I boot from it. It gives me like 3. I can install XP, Repair and something else. When I try and install it wants to delete my partition and create a new one (atleast what I did thats what it said, but I have NO idea what im doing). So is there anyway I can just install XP again and get to keep all my stuff on the hard drive? If so, what do I do? The repair option takes me to like a DOS thing where I have to type in commands and thats extremely difficult for me. Any help??
 

sandorski

No Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
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Select Install, at the next screen there will be a Repair option, select that.
 

Iron Woode

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 10, 1999
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Originally posted by: JkiD2k2
I don't even remember seeing that option... are you 100% sure it's there?
Its there. I have done it myself.

 

Sid59

Lifer
Sep 2, 2002
11,879
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Originally posted by: DefRef
This is the same thing I told you last week to do. Look harder.

it's there ..

i accidently tried to patch uxtheme.dll in explorer, applied a theme and everything went black! =( I tried the repair and it didn't work, doh. Lucky for me, i clicked around and it went back to normal and i patched the dll properly.

it's there. After it examins the hardware and a few files, you hit R for repair instead of install.
 

JkiD2k2

Senior member
Jun 24, 2001
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I think i'm blind because I don't see another repair option after I goto the install thing at the main screen. And when I goto repair at the main screen I just get a black screen for typing in commands. So i'm obviously an idiot...
 

sandorski

No Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
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Originally posted by: JkiD2k2
I think i'm blind because I don't see another repair option after I goto the install thing at the main screen. And when I goto repair at the main screen I just get a black screen for typing in commands. So i'm obviously an idiot...

No, don't select Repair at that screen, it's the next screen after you select install/setup.
 

Heretik

Senior member
Jan 12, 2000
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Yeah, you have to go as far as the screen that warns you it has found a previous install of windows and ask if you are sure you want to continue with another install. Go to the screen after that and there is an option to repair.
 

JkiD2k2

Senior member
Jun 24, 2001
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alright, finally im getting closer to the right track here. I did that but right after that screen that shows the warning, another screen comes up with the following.. I can either: Format the partition using NTFS (quick), Format the partition using FAT (quick), Format the partition using NTFS, Format the partition using FAT, Convert the partition to NTFS, OR Leave the current file system intact (no changes). Those are my 6 options. No repair option on this page. I did go ahead and goto the next screen with Leave the current file system but it said I will loose like all my user stuff and my documents and the windows folder and a few other things. But is this what I am going to have to do anyways?