Re: Reinstalling XP Home

From: Rocket J. Squirrel (rocky_at_bullwinkle.com)
Date: 04/20/04 

Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 15:05:55 -0400

A reinstallation of Windows XP does not affect your saved documents,
spreadsheets, photos, etc. A reinstallation installs Windows over itself,
which doesn't touch the My Documents folder. Reinstalling does create new
user accounts, so initially it will seem as if all your old documents are
gone. But have no fear - all you need to do is to 'take ownership' of your
old folders.

"HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP"
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308421&Product=winxp

As for why your reinstall is taking so long, that could be for any number of
reasons, but as long as it's still alive I would not halt it. Let it run to
completion and then see what you have.

One thing you should always do before reinstalling Windows is to backup
everything that is important to you. As soon as Windows is installed,
disconnect yourself from the Internet and backup everything that matters.
Something is going on with your computer, and you don't want to lose
anything while you're trying to fix it.

Backing up often will keep you away from the dog house.

Rocky

"Craig" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:1b5a01c42706$c9a13990$a101280a@phx.gbl...
> I made a terrible mistake. My computer came with Windows
> XP installed from Gateway. For some reason (I'll still
> cursing myself) I put in the XP Home *** that came with
> the computer and chosse to reinstall XP Home. I had one
> choice to make- either a new install or a Upgrade install
> that also had the word "(recommended)". It said this
> option would keep the current files and documents
> preserved. So I chose the Upgrade install.
>
> It told me the process would take about 51 minutes. It
> worked smoothly to about '14 minutes remaining'. Then it
> hung up. After about an hour is started again and got down
> to '9 minutes remaing'. By midnight last night it was down
> to '7 minutes remaining'. I woke up this morning and it
> was stil at '7 minutes remaining', but while looking at it
> is moved to '6 minutes remianing'. So as you can see, it
> is working, but super slow. I called my wife at lunch and
> it was still at '6 minutes remaining' but at least the
> progress bar had moved about a quarter inch show more
> progress.
>
> I'm concerned becuase the harddrive has been running
> constant for about 18 hours now. What should I do. The
> inportant thing are the existing documents on the
> computer. My wifes final paper for school is on there and
> it is due next week. I'm already sleeping in the dog house
> for this, and I really don't want to completely move out.
>
> My question is, should I shut it down and re-start? Will
> my files still be there? That is the most important
> question. She needs those files for next week and here
> finals at school. Please help.
>
> Craig