Sabado, Agosto 24, 2013

How to Reinstall Windows 7 Without Formatting the Hard Drive

     It is very common for WIndows OS to become sluggishly after some time, but when it reaches the point where you can’t get anything to run properly, you know that it is time to do a re-installation. For my Windows 7 machine, after countless installation/uninstallation of various applications (all for testing purpose), it starts to give way and behaves abnormally. Apps start to run sluggishly and I can’t even get the Windows update to function. The best choice for me is to reinstall the OS.
However, most people don’t like (or even hate) to do a reinstallation because it means that they have to reformat the hard drive and probably lost some of their precious data. The fact is, you don’t really have to reformat your hard drive to reinstall the OS. Even after the reinstallation, your data will still be intact. Here’s how you can do it.

NOTE:

 1. Reinstallation of Windows 7 will wipe the system folder, Program Files and My Document folders. All the applications that you have previously installed will be lost. However, any other user-created folders in the C: drive will still be intact.


2. As usual, do a backup of all your data before you attempt to follow this tutorial.

3. Make sure you have the installer DVD, or the USB drive in hand.

        Reinstall Windows 7 without reformatting the hard drive

1.Turn on your computer and load up Windows.
2.Put in the installer DVD (or plug in the installer USB).
3.A window will popup to ask if you want to “Run setup.exe” or “open the folder”. Select “Run setup.exe”. If this popup window didn’t appear, open your Windows Explorer, navigate to the DVD drive and run the setup.exe file.





4.The Windows 7 installation page will appear. Click “Install Now”.



5.On the next page, select the option “Go online to get the latest update for installation”.









6.Accept the license term and click Next.




7. Select “Custom”.





8. Choose the partition that you are going to reinstall the Windows OS. This is usually the C: Drive. It will then show a prompt saying that your existing files will be backup to the windows.old files. Click Ok.





9. Lastly, you just let the installation do its work. Once it is done, it will reboot and prompt you to setup your account. After you have login to your account, you will find that all your data will still be intact. At this point, you might want to reinstall all the usual software.







What to do after a reinstallation?

Now you have a clean system, it is best to do a system backup and create a system restore point. In the future when your Windows messed up again, you can simply restore to this clean state.

That's It!  You already Reinstall Windows 7 Without Formatting the Hard Drive...

How to Install Windows XP Without Formatting

      There are different reasons why a reinstall is required. Some of the most common ones are missing .dll files or too many virus or spyware attacks detected. Or it could be the desire for a seemingly new operating system (OS). After years of removing and adding programs and files, your system is scarred by the residual files. The easiest way to reinstall Windows XP without formatting your hard drive is by choosing the "repair install option." This installs XP to pre-SP2 (Service Pack 2). Service Pack is Microsoft's security upgrades and bug-fixing feature.


Instructions


Things you'll need
 Windows XP CD (either store-bought or original from computer manufacturer) Printed instructions


The basic Re-Installing


1.Insert the Windows XP CD into your computer, disconnect your computer from the Internet, and reboot (or restart) your computer.

2. Your computer should automatically direct you to a screen with options for reinstallation. Do not click on the option that mentions "recovery console." Click the option for "installing Windows."


3.Accept the agreement, and on the next page you will choose an install option. Press "R" for repair, and continue.


4.Follow the on-screen instructions till you're done. At the end of the process, all your previous settings, files and programs will remain untouched, and your system will run without qualms.


5.Don't forget to immediately update your computer by downloading SP2 from Microsoft's website download link

6.  You can wait until Automatic Updates detects SP2 is missing, but it is not recommended.


Tips and Warning!


     If this doesn't work, search for methods using partitions. A system with too many vulnerabilities should go straight to a format and clean installation of XP.

      Don't forget to disconnect from the Internet; your computer is most vulnerable during the install process if connected.

How to Repair Windows XP Without Reformatting

         Repairing Windows XP without reformatting is a fairly simple task. The repair process requires the Windows XP installation CD. Repairing
Windows XP will fix certain problems on your computer, but some of your programs may not work afterward, and you may have to re-install
software patches.

 Instructions 


1. Back up your files and data if possible. Repairing Windows XP should not damage your data, but if something goes wrong, the backup will ensure you don't lose everything. Write down your Windows XP product key. The product key should be on the COA sticker on the front, side, or bottom of your computer. Do not proceed without the product key, as you may not be able to complete the repair.

2. Uninstall Internet Explorer 7 or Internet Explorer 8 if present on your computer. Repairing Windows with Internet Explorer 7 or Internet
Explorer 8 installed will typically break Internet Explorer.
To uninstall, click your "Start" button and open the Control Panel. Open "Add or Remove Programs." Highlight Internet Explorer 7 or Internet Explorer 8 and choose "Remove." The program will disappear from the list when removal is complete.







3. Insert your Windows XP disk and boot to it. Keep a close eye on the process--you may be prompted to press a certain key to boot from CD.
Windows installation will load a blue screen with status updates and instructions. Whenever the installation process is waiting on your
input, it will give you a selection of answer choices either on the screen or on the gray bar at the bottom of the screen.


4. Press "Enter" at the "Welcome to Setup" screen. Press "F8" to accept the license agreement. Press "R" to repair the existing installation. The file installation process will run for a few minutes with no further intervention. After file installation, the repair process will launch the standard Windows XP installation, which runs for a few minutes before asking you for information.

5. Set your Region and Language on the "Windows XP Professional Installation" screen. Click "Next." Enter your Workgroup or Domain name. This screen may already be populated with the information in your existing Windows XP installation. Click "Next." The repair installation process will finish with no further intervention, and may take 20 to 60 minutes, depending on the age and speed of your computer. At the end of the process, the computer will restart and launch Windows.

6. Follow the on-screen instructions through Windows XP's setup wizard. If asked "Who will use this computer?" you must create at least one new user, even though your pre-existing users may be available within Windows, itself. Click "Finish" on the "Thank you" screen. It will take a minute or two for Windows XP to finish loading Windows with the information you just provided.

   Tips and Warning!!!!



   If your computer does not give you the option to boot from CD, you must change the boot order in the BIOS. Entering BIOS requires you to press a particular key immediately when the computer starts. The key varies from BIOS to BIOS, but is usually "F1," "F2" or "Del."














  Run Windows Update immediately after completing your Windows XP repair. Windows Update will download and install security patches that were overwritten during the repair process. The longer you go without running Windows Update, the more likely it is you'll get a virus or work due to an unpatched security hole.