Reinstalling Windows XP - Help Needed

[Robe$h]

Hello there.

I am currently using my PC to make music with and music only, I use my Laptop for internet things etc. But for some reason, my Music PC has got some sort of virus and has completely corrupted my music software (Sonar Producer 6). It won't let me open it and it won't let me uninstall it. Basically, I want to uninstall and reinstall Windows XP again so I can start from scratch...

I am asking for some help because I am so scared of doing this. I really don't want to lose any files and I have absolutely no idea the best way uninstall and reinstall Windows again. I have searched via Google for some guides but got nothing amazingly helpful... I guess I'm just looking for some reasssurance from somebody so I can do this in the most easy and smooth way possible in the hope that nothing like this happens again...

Kind regards,
Rob.

 

[Simian]

I had to do this last week (after doing it 4 weeks ago too!!... must stop the wife installing stuff!!!)...

Its easy!...

Just make sure you've backed up EVERYTHING you want to keep including the contents of your Outlook (if you have full Outlook) post box (find this by wrong clicking on the desktop icon and selecting 'datafiles' this is where outlook stores everything!!)...

Once you'r happy you've backed it all up... Check again!.. Nothing more annoying than loosing a file you forgot!!..

Then make sure you have copies of all the software you want to re-install on CD to hand, but most important is the XP/Vista disk (of corse) and the Motherboard utilities disk!...

Re-boot your PC with the Windows disk in.. allow it to 'Boot from CD' and follow the on screen messages!... Format you main drive (NTFS is best).. Do a FULL Format as this'll make sure no nasties survive!..

just follow what the install asks for.. should take about 30 minutes!...

Then install the Motherboard bits n' bobs... You might need to Re-Boot a few times!!.

Then (this it the important one) install a decent Anti-Virus (I use Avast!!).

Then install Everything else (Service Packs*, Drivers, Software)... and restore your backed up data!..

If you open Outlook before restoring the post box it'll create the correct file structure... just close Outlook again and restore you Backed up postbox to this directory.. next time you open outlook it'll be as you remember it!!..

Once done... Just spend the next week fettling it to how you remember it!!... I've got mine just how I like it again!!...

Best thing to do then is buy a cheap backup drive (120gb USB drive or summut) and keep a second copy of EVERYTHING backed up on a regular basis (use Synctoy or some other freeware backup utility) and this process is a whole lot quicker if you need to do it again!!

Or just make a Image on a spare drive of you system once its how you want, and restore that in the event again!!...

Cos it WILL happen again!!!

*Check out the SP3 thread Here - http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17868297 to download a copy!... it'll save you downloading millions of updates!!..

 

[swinnie]

Then (this it the important one) install a decent Anti-Virus (I use Avast!!).

If the machine is not connected to the net, why is there a need for an AntiVirus? If there is not an internet connection to the machine it won't be able to update.

 

[Robe$h]

Thanks for the reply!

I have two hard drives, one for my music software and Windows and the other for my samples and music. I don't need to backup anything on my C drive (where XP is installed) but should I still make a backup of everything on my D drive (where all my samples are stored)? If so, what is the best way to make a backup of this ensuring I don't lose anything on this drive?

Thanks again for the help

Kind regards,
-Rob

 

[Simian]

If he's not connected to the net how'd he get a virus?!?!?!....

it's just a precaution for updates (Windows and the Music Software) etc...

Not like it's gonna be a major problem having it on there!!.. plus it'll stop Windows Security suite moaning about not having one!!..

 

[Simian]

Thanks for the reply!

I have two hard drives, one for my music software and Windows and the other for my samples and music. I don't need to backup anything on my C drive (where XP is installed) but should I still make a backup of everything on my D drive (where all my samples are stored)? If so, what is the best way to make a backup of this ensuring I don't lose anything on this drive?

Thanks again for the help

Kind regards,
-Rob

Might be an idea (just for future storage if anything).. just back it up to a spare drive of a number of DVD's... You can never have too many back-up's

There are a number of bits of software for this... I use Nero (v6) but other people will probly recommend others!!..

 

[Robe$h]

Ok so I am going to follow Badass's XP Tweak Guide once XP has installed. Hopefully this should keep it running smoothly from now on...

 

[PhillyDee]

I would disconnect the D drive while you reinstall windows. That way you are sure you will not wipe it . . . . . . I always do this just in case. (Yes, i have accidently done it in the past).

 

[rickyt]

As I hope you know , If you format your PC and install Windows , you will lose all your data .Get an external hard drive and copy your music [not the programs ]across . How do you know it's a virus ?? Have you installed a anti-virus program to check first ?? .
How do you know its not just a corrupt music program file ?? I would un-install the program first , then re-install and check before I re-loaded Windows .I understand you have tried to do this . I have taken programs off my PC before by deleting the program folder in Program files and by going into the registry and using FIND , delete all the references to that that program . Then ,I have re-installed the program .I agree the registry is not for the faint hearted ,one mistake and you will end up having to load windows .But ,by doing this , it sometimes gets you out of a fix. Sometimes in the end though a new fresh windows is the best thing to have , the easy bit is loading Windows ,it's all the drivers and software that can be the tough bit .