Best Way to Reinstall Windows Without Losing Data ?

At some point during the course of your computer's use, you will find yourself in the unenviable position of having to reinstall Windows. There are many reasons for this. Perhaps important system files got corrupted or disk errors or viruses caused your system to become unstable.

This is all a result of wear and tear on your PC. When that time comes, you will have to not only know how to reinstall windows, but how to reinstall windows without losing data. Here we refer to a fresh install of Windows and not simply an attempt to repair a few files.

1. Your Vendor's Restore CD

The first step in knowing how to reinstall windows is to locate your vendor's restore CD--otherwise known appropriately enough as a rescue or boot disk. Windows comes with its own rescue CD as well. If that's the only one you have at your disposal then locate your operating system's instructions below.

Rescue CDs are not all alike. Some give you rescue functions as well as important software drivers for your computer. Others are more basic, only allowing you the ability to reformat your hard drive. Don't reformat your hard drive without backing up your personal files to another medium first! Your personal files are those located under 'My Documents' in Windows. The exact location of your personal files and folders varies from one operating system to another.

In Windows XP, for example, you will backup everything in C:Documents and Settings. In Windows 98 and ME, you will backup C:My Documents. More instructions follow below for your particular system. If you have any other folders where you've stored personal stuff back those up as well.

2. Windows 98 and ME CDs

With Windows 98 and ME you don't want to just reinstall windows without backing up important system information. This information can be found in your Windows folders.

First create a new folder on your C: drive and name it oldWindows. Then use Windows explorer to navigate to your Windows folder. Once there, locate the following subfolders: All Users, Application Data, Desktop, Favorites, Local Settings, Profiles, SendTo, and Start Menu. Copy these folders to the oldWindows folder you created.

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How to Delete a Windows Setup Boot

The Windows Setup Boot drive on your computer is the partition where Windows is originally installed, making it the centerpiece of your hard drive arrangement. The only way to delete this drive is to format it entirely, which removes all Windows setup and boot files from the drive for good.

Instructions

Things You'll Need

DOS boot disk

Insert the boot disk into the system.

Restart the computer. Press any key as prompted to boot into DOS.

Type "format c:" and press "Enter".

Press "Y" to delete the Windows Setup drive.

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Problems Installing Windows XP Pro

The success of Microsoft Windows XP operating system can be ascertained from the fact that even long after the release of Microsoft Vista operating system, Windows XP continues to be in demand. Windows XP is dependable, stable and secure, so you can always rely on the performance and effectiveness of your computer. But, like any piece of machinery, Windows XP has its own set of problems.

Disable Anti-virus Software

If you run into trouble installing Windows XP, disable the anti-virus software running on your computer. Anti-virus software can interfere with the installation of Windows XP.

Check System Compatibility

Check if your computer has the required hardware support to run Windows XP. These are often the cause of Setup problems. To check system compatibility, insert the Windows XP CD into your CD-ROM drive. When the Welcome menu appears, click on "Check system compatibility" and then click on then click on "Check my system automatically."

Clean Boot

If you are facing problems while upgrading from Windows Millennium Edition then perform a clean boot. To do so, go to "Start," then select "Run." In the "Open" box, type "msconfig" and then click on "OK." Clear all the check boxes under "Selective startup." Also, on the "Startup" tab, select the "*StateMgr" check box, and then click on "OK." Restart your computer and run the Windows XP setup.


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Windows Server 2003 Installation

Windows Server 2003 is a server operating system produced by Microsoft. It is introduced on March 28, 2003 as the successor to Windows 2000 Server. It is considered the cornerstone of Microsoft and their Windows Server operating system server products. Windows Server 2003 is well-known excellent stability, security and user-friendly compared to other server operating systems, and even it is predecessor, the Windows 2000. According to Microsoft, Windows Server 2003 needs less time to build and easier to configure rather than Windows 2000 server.

How to install Windows Server 2003?

You create a new network infrastructure, before you perform new installation of windows server 2003 on your computer. You should create a map of your network will according to your needed. The role of the server, such as a domain controller or multiple routers (in the Windows Server 2003 to configure multiple network interface card) or NAT server, not only is the server hardware configuration, but also to configure the server ( and services it provides).

Server hardware requirements

Microsoft recommended minimum hardware requirements (and some of Microsoft's recommendations) for Windows Server 2003 (standard) are listed here:

* CPU speed: 133MHz The (550MHz recommended under)

* Memory: 128MB (256 recommended; 4GB the highest standards of server)

* Disk space: In order to 1.5GB

* CD - ROM Drive: 12 times

* Monitor: Super VGA provides 800 x 600 resolution

Performing a clean install of windows server 2003

Windows Server 2003 R2 contains two product disks.
1 CD-ROM contains the Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1 (SP1) in.

2 CD-ROM contains installation files optional Windows Server 2003 R2 components. The two CD-ROMs use the same product key. The Microsoft Server 2003 installation is not configured with the previous operating system, the establishment of a system so that it boots the CD - ROM drive (using the computer's BIOS setup utility). Clean installation of two distinct phases: phase of a text, and then Windows phase. Stage in the text, you can specify (and create, if necessary) the Zoning will be as a target to install the Windows Server 2003.

Text-mode installation phase

1. Insert the Windows 2003 installation CD1 in your CD - ROM drive, and boot your system with this installation disk. And follow the instruction.
2. Installation process ask you about Windows license agreement. After reading the licensing information, continue to press F8 key.

3. Windows Setup screen will display you the partition. Now you need to create the partition and format you c: partition as a NTFS. Because NTFS partition needs a domain controller running Active Directory, you usually have to choose NTFS format. Select the file format (using the wrong key), and then press Enter.

4. Setup to format the partition, and then copy the installation files to the server. After copying the appropriate file, restart the server. This is the end of the command-line part of the Windows Server 2003 installation process. Graphical installation phase will begin.

5. After the restart your computer it will ask you product activation key, regional and language settings, network settings and administrator password settings etc. You should follow the steps same as installation process ask to you. After installation is complete, restart the server once.

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