Best way to re-install windows

[hav0c]

Well I really fudged up my windows(win98) and I need to reinstall. I am not going to format my HD, just remove windows and reinstall I have a lot of programs I would like to keep ... But there is no way to keep most of these without reinstalling them correct? Is there anything I need to backup? Because after I reinstall I am going to have to spend most of my time downloading everything again http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/frown.gif . So what is the easiest way to uninstall win98 .. C:\deltreee Windows? Any suggestions on how to make this a little easier would be helpful. Thanks.

[This message has been edited by hav0c (edited 02-17-2001).]

[Wiruz]

You can do it by just installing the new windows on top of the other - it will overwrite the files, but keep your settings and programs.

~Wiruz, The Digital Hippie

[Roy]

Wiruz said it! ... and start a "log". I wish I had the first of many times I've reinstalled W98. It's interesting how things get smoother afterwards. I wonder how many times it's been? http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif

[mansell]

Roy ,what do you mean start a log ?

cheers mansell

[This message has been edited by mansell (edited 02-17-2001).]

[oblivion]

Backup your important files and then reformat,voogru is correct,installing over will just @#%$ everything up.Trust us on this one.

Oh yea,your programs are registered in the windows registry....if were a regedit pimp you would have to reinstall them later.You could perhaps extract the reg strings[related to your programs]from the registry and save them to a .reg file,so later on you could add them to the reg to in effect install the program again,that is if the programs did not copy files to the windows system folder which were not there by default.

I have a good idea.....

Reformat and back up your stuff.

[This message has been edited by oblivion (edited 02-17-2001).]

[voogru]

dont reinstall wonblow on top of another Installation it will make your problems even worse..

everytime i reinstalled windows on top of another installation it made the problems worse.

just format the darn thing IMO

-voogru

[psyklone]

part of the problem with doing a windows re-install over an existing install is that files that are newer (as in updated by service packs, upgrades of internet explorer, etc) don't get overwritten by the re-install. this tends to cause a lot of problems. you can do a setup /nd and this will force the re-install to overwrite existing files even if they are newer versions. once it's all up then go and do your service packs/updates.

[Stryfe88]

I agree, don't install over the top of an old Windows install. You're just asking for trouble. Bite the bullet, reformat, install windows, install your software, and then get Norton Ghost to back up your drive. Then you'll never have to go through the painful process again. Now that I think about it, maybe I should follow my own advice and backup my drive. Nah, I'm dual booting now, and I'm gonna get rid of 9x soon I think... http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[HfdWolfPack]

The Net Admin before me "reinstalled" Windows by installing it on top of itself to save himself some work. Sure for a little while all seemed well, It wasnt. I ended up reinstalling 4 systems (the right way) because of it. One machine had win98 over win98 over win95.What a mess.
Anyways, Dont do it. Kinda of like "Do it right the first time"
The machines all run like PIII 733s now and they are thankful for it.

[tinwindow]

I just installed windows over windows on someones computer because it was informing that there were some vxd files missing.
It worked fine after the installation .
I did back up the old one when I was prompted. In your case I would format and re install everything and backing up when your sure it's running good with the programs you need in it. Then next time it happens you'll save lots of time by just restore the good back up.
Good Luck http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif
TW

[This message has been edited by tinwindow (edited 02-23-2001).]

[pickel]

My Windows.000 got corrupted a short while back and we re-istalled from the original Win 98 disc and my computer hasn't ran as good as it does now. It wouldn't take half an hour to try to re-install and see what happens. If it works ...fine , if not then format and start over. That's alot of time reloading and updating.... good luck!!!!

[RobRich]

havOc, a better way to assess the situation is to ask what do you exactly mean by "fudged up Windows"? Will it boot, what doesn't work, etc. The solution may be simplier than re-installing the OS. For example, simply cleaning and compacting the registry will often take care of most Window's stability issues. More info please....

Robert Richmond

[This message has been edited by RobRich (edited 02-24-2001).]

[lasa168]

Reformat, only way to go.

[cheapster]

Oblivion wrote: "Reformat and back up your stuff." Uh, shouldn't that be the other way around? http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif
I do agree though, if windows is fubared, then the reformat/reinstall is the best approach. Just went through it on my "slow" system and it is amazing how much better it runs. It even shuts down now!
Chuck