Important as it is to have a working computer, re-installing your computer and losing your documents at the same time seems a bit pointless. It is a myth that you have to lose your documents when you re-install your computer – a myth that is easily solved if you read the following.
Simple method
Boot up your machine with your Microsoft Windows installation CD. If you don’t have one, get one! Or borrow one from a friend, as long as you have the certificate of authenticity.
- The first screen you come to will ask you if you want to install Windows or go to the recovery console. Hit ENTER to continue.
- Hit F8 to agree to the terms.
- Now it will scan your disk – if it offers a repair on an existing installation, press ESCAPE to decline.
- Select the C: drive (if that is your Windows partition).
- When prompted as to what you want to do with the partition, leave it as it is – DO NOT FORMAT.
- When it asks to delete the existing installation, agree. It will delete the Windows installation but will leave your user folders in the Documents and Settings folder in the root of the drive.
- Once you’ve reinstalled, you can get to your old files by browsing to Documents and Settings folder.
Alternative method:
If you have a Windows 2000 installation CD, boot with it and go to the recovery console. From here, type the following:
- Rename C:Windows Winold
- Rename C:Docume~1 Docold
- Rename C:Progra~1 Progold
Now you should be able to install a copy of Windows while retaining your old copy – just be sure to not format the drive!