Windows XP reinstall question.

magnifica · #1 10-19-2008, 06:29 AM

Hi there.

I have a very important question..

I have an older computer where i've reinstalled windows xp onto.
I want to give it as a gift to my little brother who's in need of a new pc..

Because of that i've reinstalled windows XP for him, but i'm not sure if i done it correctly.

The only thing i've done is put in the cd to reinstall windows, and i went to the partition where the old windows was saved, and if i recall correctly i just pressed enter on the current existing partition (then it started to do it's own thing).
It did say the system was reformatting, but does that mean that every file of mine is now gone and replaced by a new windows?
Cause that's what i want.

And from reading a guide afterwards, a guy stated that the only way to delete everything of the old hard drive is by deleting the partition by pressing D or something and create a new one. Is that true? Cause that's not what i've done. ( i just went about pressing enter i believe )

So my question is, did i overwrite all the old files, which means everything is now gone? Or did i simply add onto the old windows, and the old windows with my old files still exist? Cause if that's the case i just simply have to redo it over again.

Thx for your time and help!

Deepak_99218 · #2 10-19-2008, 07:02 AM

Once u have formatted a partition , u loose all the data in it.
Not only the installed s/w but also any data like music etc will be lost.

So that partition is as good as new.

magnifica · #3 10-19-2008, 07:07 AM

Oh thanks for the quick reply and for the help!

Take care mate.

StaplesEZTECH · #4 10-19-2008, 10:11 PM

If you did an upgrade install which in what case would be just clicking enter and LEAVING THE PARTITION INTACT YOU DIDN'T FORMAT YOUR hardrive I.E clicking ENTER to install without clicking D to delete partition then having windows format the drive so that windows could be installed just means you technically hid all your files in you computer USING THE LEAVE FILE SYSTEM INTACT OPTION. meaning the computers OS looks new but the files are still on the system somewheres.