Reinstalling Windows XP

[cmp1223]

OK, I want to reinstall winXP Pro because there alot of crap on my system (its the one in the sig), plus I used an old ATI vid card while my 6800 was RMAed and i want a fresh start.

1) I have a 20 gig partition for windows/system files, and some replaceable programs. How do i go about wiping this portion of the HD to ready it for a new install. The files on the other partition won't be touched correct?!?

2)Do i need to reinstall the nforce chipset drivers? Are these stored in the bios or wiped with windows?

3) Anything else i should do in prep for a clean install?

P.S. Will Nvidia be updating the Nforce 5.1 drivers anytime soon?

 

[the wombat]

1) Just install xp in the correct partition and it shouldn't touch the data in any others that you created.

2)Yes, reinstall the nforce drivers. They're wiped with windows.

3)Might want to backup the data that you CANNOT live with out.....just in case...

 

[Bozo Galora]

Dont do a reinstall - just do a repair using XP CD options (press "R")

This will refresh all system files and require reinstall of all HW drivers.
No data will be lost, and as long as you are not multi booting, file asociations will still be good.

 

[cmp1223]

what about the programs? I would actually WANT to wipe the programs, to get that fresh and clean feeling

 

[Steven the Leech]

Originally posted by: cmp1223
what about the programs? I would actually WANT to wipe the programs, to get that fresh and clean feeling

Well I would format your c: drive [20g partition] and do a clean install of all apps/programs. I have a image of my C: OS/Apps I made after a clean install, and when I have that "not so fresh feeling" or problems, I restore my image. My bookmarks/addresses etc are backed up frequently so all I have to do is restore/export data I need. I use Outlook for email and keep my dat file in a seperate drive so after a restore, I lose absolutley nothing in my email program [i can restore all this info with a clean install into outlook, and change the location of my dat file] I also do regular backups of saved email/contacts etc just in case.

The whole process only takes a few minutes.

 

[cmp1223]

Can you tell me how to create an image and use it to restore once i need it? Is there a website that can tell me? I ussually save alot of stuff to the desktop and default directories, but this time i will try to save everything OFF the main partition so i can reinstall more easily, as you do.

 

[Steven the Leech]

You have to have Drive Image, Norton Ghost etc. Many motherboard mf also give disk management software with the motherboard, you may check and see if you have anything like that.

 

[cmp1223]

will any freeware handle that? Maybe this is the exact same thing, but is there anyway i could copy the entire partition to a new 10 to 20 gig partition and when the old one gets crowded, delete it and boot from the new partition?

 

[cmp1223]

I found what seems to be a good freeware drive image program: Lexun Backup Solution

http://www.lexundesigns.com/LexunFreeware/index.htm

 

[cmp1223]

hey, if i remove a partion, will it just combine the files from both partitions onto one partition? How do i go about doing this?

 

[Bozo Galora]

http://fdisk.radified.com/

 

[n7]

Originally posted by: cmp1223
hey, if i remove a partion, will it just combine the files from both partitions onto one partition? How do i go about doing this?

If you are reinstalling Windows, there will be an option to delete the other partition before you begin the install.

Doing that will wipe out all your data, & will show the drive in entirety. (basically you just combined the two)

 

[Garlic]

Wipe it all out.

Theres nothing like a fresh clean install.