What's the difference...?

Tailhook wrote:

What is the difference between :

a) re-installing Windows OS

b) re-formatting the HDD

❓

Thanks

Re-installing your OS does just that and that only. All programs and files that aren't a part of the OS will still be there.

Re-formatting your hard drive erases everything on the drive. You will lose everything that is on the hard drive. After re-formatting your drive you will have to install the system files, your OS and all the programs you wish to have on your computer.

Format = Everything clean.

Reinstal OS = Cover the crap with a clean mask.

Greekman72 wrote:

Format = Everything clean.

Reinstal OS = Cover the crap with a clean mask.

😂 That about sums it up.

It really depends on what the problem is, sometimes you can get by with just reinstalling the OS, other times it's not a good idea.

If XP is installed and you have automatic upgrades turned on it won't reinstall from the disks. You get the message "newer version installed".

Before any refomat I always save whatever I need to keep on CD's. Reformatting wipes the disk clean.

always best to format and re-install imo

you can get a program that builds you a windows xp boot installation disk with selected service pack and drivers installed right away I discovered recently... a disk I will be making soon 🙂

I will be able to re-install and have a fresh Windows, with SP2 and my chipset drivers all installed and ready 😀

Insight wrote:

always best to format and re-install imo

you can get a program that builds you a windows xp boot installation disk with selected service pack and drivers installed right away I discovered recently... a disk I will be making soon 🙂

I will be able to re-install and have a fresh Windows, with SP2 and my chipset drivers all installed and ready 😀

What program is that? It would save a lot of time having to go through all those updates every time you reload XP.

Probably something like Norton Ghost..?

Thanks everyone

After re-formatting your drive you will have to install the system files

What are system files and where do I get them from?

Thanks

system files = the windows XP installation

you have to install windows again using the cd

Tailhook wrote:

What are system files and where do I get them from?

Thanks

I use an old start up floppy that Windows 98 used when you had a crash. That has fdisk and format on it, after formatting from the floppy directory (A drive) type "sys C:". That installs the needed files. Then still using that disk I start it with CD support and install XP.

Okay. System files part of the OS.

Thanks gentlemen.