Hi:
XP/SP3
I want a partial re-installation using CD came with the PC. When I looked at the front of CD, however 'warning' states ... before re-installation, make sure to save all important files and folders that indicates all of those will be wiped out once putting the CD into CD-drive?

My question is;
Without losing photoes and e-mails accumulated over the years, is there a way to make a partial-reinstallation in order to rescue one missing program/feature?

Thanks for your help in advance.

 

With a re-installation disk no not unless you know exactly where the program is on that disk. If you do then use the disk while windows is running and then take that program or driver off of the disk. Don't whatever you do keep that disk in your computer and restart it. Take the CD out of the drive and then if it requires a restart then restart the computer without the disk in it. That prevents formatting of the hard drive by accident.

All of those disks work before Windows even has a chance to start. Of course finding the program on the CD is sometimes a challenge. You can pm me your service tag if you have Dell and I can fairly easily find software for their computers on their website. Especially if it is a driver if not then probably not and you will have to look through the disk. What I usually do in that case is go to my computer and right click on the D: drive and then click on properties and that will give you a list of the programs and drivers on the disk.

 

PineCone, if you have years worth of memories on the hard drive you should copy them to a backup drive or DVDs before you do anything else. Most pros recommend three copies of data -- one to use and two backups. If you don't backup, at some point you will experience a drive failure and your data will be gone forever.

 

Here is a tidbit that may be of interest. The 3 copies goes back a long ways. Long before PC’s and long before the internet. We built, as did others, command and control systems with email way back in the 1960’s (yes indeed… there was in fact email long before PC’s and long before the internet).

Most systems in those days did in fact require 3 copies of transiting emails/transactions to ensure that no email/transaction WAS EVER lost! (One copy to process and two backup copies.)However, these were systems where the emails could be a matter of life and death.

Nothing new under the sun! LOL

 

I gotta ask, a partial reinstall of what, Windows? What program/feature is missing?

 

Isn't there some function called "Startup Repair" on the Install Disk where Windows looks around to see if Windows "things" are damaged - then automatically repairs? I thought I used that is the past? - could be wrong.

(Don't ask me what version of Windows. I was the last person on earth to use Windows 95 - then I jumped to Vista LOL, but I installed and used XP in places. )

p.s. I agree with Rick Johnston, back that stuff up!!

 

You didnt reply so Im not clear on exactly what the problem is.

System File Checker will verify and replace important Windows system files. At the command line, type sfc /scannow.