backup

[tfg]

running xp pro + sp3
I want to re-install windows but as a "repair", should I
open a folder on the "desktop" and save as much as I can to there and then do the install or, go to "system tools" and do a backup to "desktop" and then do the install or, will windows save all my data for me automatically anyway. If anyone has done this before it would help me a lot.

[deggers316]

tfg
you shouldn't loose anything on a repair,
only a fresh install you will loose everything.
back up as a safe guard all your important files though
documents photos etc on cd's
good luck

[vehelpfulguy]

Doing a repair (or any major Windows change) is always risky and can leave you with a "dead" hard disk.

I would make sure all your personal files are backed up to CD or DVD, or as a minimum copied to a second or external hard disk.

As far as I know Windows will only overwrite system files with a repair so you should be OK, but as deggers says, anything can happen so better to have your files backed up somewhere else before doing the repair.

[ACtheTROLL]

one minor point my learned friends have overlooked .... SP3

the big question is ... how did sp3 get there?
downloaded ... or does your version of XP CD have sp3 slipstreamed.

this is one of those "may do" problems ... you won't know untill you try.

sometimes the repair does what it should ... and repairs XP (reverting to whatever version is on the CD - so you'll have some serious updating to do)

sometimes however ... the repair will fail saying you have an older version than is on the CD.

with this in mind you need to do a total backup
(I always create at least two partitions for this very reason).
O/s on C: - data on d:
that way if you have to crash and burn ... only c is affected