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How to repair a Windows XP installation without formatting your computer and loosing your files

Repairing an installation of Windows XP will not wipe all of your files like formatting will. Formatting Windows XP cleans your computer of absolutely everything that you had on your computer, and therefore this fact alone makes repairing  a good option to try when fixing an error. If you suspect that there is a problem with the Windows system files you can simply try to repair it before resorting to formatting.

7. Press Enter to setup Windows XP now. Do not choose to Repair yet.
8. If there is a copy of Windows XP on your computer setup will find it.
9. See below where it says C:\windows "Microsoft Windows XP Professional" Make sure this is selected. It may say Windows XP home also.

10. Now choose to Repair the selected Windows XP installation by pressing the letter R on the keyboard.
11. Now windows will seem to run through the usual setup process, however a lot quicker. Don't panic because it will not wipe your files if you have chosen to repair.
12. At some point you will have to enter the serial number and restart the computer.
13. When you login again your files will still be there but the Windows errors you had will not.

Notes:

• This article relates to an original Windows XP cd. If you use an OEM Version of Xp it may actually format your entire computer and you will loose all of your data.

How to format your computer using Windows XP

Step by step instructions on how to format your computer in windows XP. Starting from the minute you boot from the Original Windows cd and how to make your computer boot from it.

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How to get into Your BIOS and change settings

To begin to format your computer you will need to make your computer boot directly to the cd drive first, instead of the usual hard drive. You want it to read your Windows XP cd that you want to install.

How to delete a partition on a hard drive

When formatting a computer you need to delete the main partition that had the previous version of Windows on it then create a new partition to start from scratch. You can also create extra partitions from one hard drive.

Delete, merge, create, and rename a hard drive partition without formatting Windows

If you don't need to format your c: drive but just want to clean up your other partitions you can do this without having to format your computer. You can delete partitions or create them as long as you are not touching the main c: drive.

Should I choose NTFS or FAT32 file system

Just to make it clear for the beginners that have not formatted before. When you first format your computer you have to choose the file system your want. You can choose between NTFS and FAT32.

How to format your spare hard drive or flash drive

If you have a spare hard drive attached to your computer, inside the case or in an external case, you can format it without effecting the main hard drive. You can also format you usb flash drive or any portable external drives this way.

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About the Author

Mitz wrote this article and others for tips4pc.com  Browse for more articles that are written in an easy to understand way. Also see our very popular Video Tutorials page. Watching a video is a very easy way to learn about computers.