Installing Windows XP on the same HDD as a corrupt install

[DaveyD]

Hi there guys,

I'm currently trying to fix a PC for a work colleague.

The problem it has is that it will not boot up on to Windows, and the XP setup file does not give the option to repair the windows install. I've tried the usual things like trying to recover/safe mode, but all get a missing file issue in the \SYSTEM\ folder.

My question is:

If i install a second copy of Windows on the HDD (to another folder say), will all the files and settings be kept intact? I ask when I choose install windows, it warns me that if I install over the top of \Windows\, I will lose \documents and settings\. Will I lose documents from those folders if I install a secondary install of Windows?

Thanks very much,

Dave

 

[SeraphX]

yes, you can only install two operating systems on a single hard drive if you partition them off, installing on a single partition will wipe the old install

 

[Edward78]

Do a chkdsk /r.

 

[Bane]

Many years back installing XP on the same partition as a broken installation left everything intact.

There was two directories of Windows, e.g. Windows and Windows.000 or something similar. But get some more feedback before trying it, as this was possibly pre-SP2 days.