Strange Problem after reinstalling windows

wtkwtk · 01-18-2007, 12:59 PM

k so my pc was runnin slow, at first i tryed windows update, that installed find but didnt help the problem so I decided to reinstall windows thru a boot disk, after doing this and selecting the repair option, so i wouldnt lose my files on the pc XP reinstalled itself, My pc is now running as fast as it should be, only problem being, My desktop and user settings have gone, however if i go to C:\Documents and Settings\Old User Name\Desktop, The files and everything I had there, is still there, Everything I had installed in program files, is still there aswell but most applications/games either, get a error saying not installed properly, crash my comp, or just not work at all, a couple of things work, like firefox(tho all my bookmarks are gone), If i go to add/remove programs, none of the stuff that shows up in program files is there at all, Everything that was on MY HD is still there, just in diffrent places, I have tryed creating a username same as the old one but that didnt do anything, So do I have to uninstall everything and reinstall it again? or is there a way i can fix this? Thanks

My system is as follows dunno if it makes any diff but yea..

AMD ATHLON XP 3200+ 2.2ghz
1GB of ram
Radeon 9250
XP Pro, SP2

**OldGrayGary** · 01-19-2007, 12:30 PM

Hi wtkwtk

XP reinstallations are a bit trickier than Win9x reinstalls, as you have discovered. Did you use your WinXP Pro CD to reinstall (it has to be the exact same version as that installed on your system = for example, don't use an OEM disk to repair a retail XP version, don't use a Home edition to repair a Pro edition, don't use a Pre-SP1 edition to repair an SP2 version, etc.). For a thorough explanation of the many things to watch for, along with links and explanations to help fix the rough spots of reinstalling XP, see Michael Steven's well-regarded pages --- http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

Note: all reinstallation procedures advise running thorough malware scans beforehand, as reinstalling does nothing to remove infections.

Stay up-to-date on your Critical Updates, too. Delaying these just leaves your system open to attack longer & increases your vulnerability.

If you decide to just start over, save your data (and scan that data for infections before restoring it later), and run a clean install. If your XP Pro disk is pre-Sp2, it can help to download SP2 beforehand - plus any recent-version drivers, and recent updates for your antivirus/antimalware programs. This might end up being the safer & quicker repair - especially if your system as it is now has malware infections corrupting files, and since your user profiles/Registry settings are a bit topsy turvy.

If you wish to save the current installation, you'll likely have to:
1) Scan thoroughly for malware, and follow removal procedures.
2) Get up-to-date on your Critical Patches & Service Packs again
3) Get your driver versions up-to-date
4) Reinstall your favorite programs under the new user profile created during your last XP-repair.
5) Move your personal data from the earlier user profile's "Documents and Settings" folders into your new user profile's "Documents and Settings" folders.
6) Run a Registry Cleaner to tidy up what is likely a messy Registry (CCleaner works well --- http://www.download.com/CCleaner/300...-10315544.html )

Best of luck
. . . Gary

01-18-2007, 12:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
wtkwtk Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 3 OS: XP	Strange Problem after reinstalling windows k so my pc was runnin slow, at first i tryed windows update, that installed find but didnt help the problem so I decided to reinstall windows thru a boot disk, after doing this and selecting the repair option, so i wouldnt lose my files on the pc XP reinstalled itself, My pc is now running as fast as it should be, only problem being, My desktop and user settings have gone, however if i go to C:\Documents and Settings\Old User Name\Desktop, The files and everything I had there, is still there, Everything I had installed in program files, is still there aswell but most applications/games either, get a error saying not installed properly, crash my comp, or just not work at all, a couple of things work, like firefox(tho all my bookmarks are gone), If i go to add/remove programs, none of the stuff that shows up in program files is there at all, Everything that was on MY HD is still there, just in diffrent places, I have tryed creating a username same as the old one but that didnt do anything, So do I have to uninstall everything and reinstall it again? or is there a way i can fix this? Thanks My system is as follows dunno if it makes any diff but yea.. AMD ATHLON XP 3200+ 2.2ghz 1GB of ram Radeon 9250 XP Pro, SP2

01-19-2007, 12:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
OldGrayGary Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Woodland Hills, CA Posts: 1,987 OS: Windows 98se/2000/XP/Vista	Hi wtkwtk XP reinstallations are a bit trickier than Win9x reinstalls, as you have discovered. Did you use your WinXP Pro CD to reinstall (it has to be the exact same version as that installed on your system = for example, don't use an OEM disk to repair a retail XP version, don't use a Home edition to repair a Pro edition, don't use a Pre-SP1 edition to repair an SP2 version, etc.). For a thorough explanation of the many things to watch for, along with links and explanations to help fix the rough spots of reinstalling XP, see Michael Steven's well-regarded pages --- http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm Note: all reinstallation procedures advise running thorough malware scans beforehand, as reinstalling does nothing to remove infections. Stay up-to-date on your Critical Updates, too. Delaying these just leaves your system open to attack longer & increases your vulnerability. If you decide to just start over, save your data (and scan that data for infections before restoring it later), and run a clean install. If your XP Pro disk is pre-Sp2, it can help to download SP2 beforehand - plus any recent-version drivers, and recent updates for your antivirus/antimalware programs. This might end up being the safer & quicker repair - especially if your system as it is now has malware infections corrupting files, and since your user profiles/Registry settings are a bit topsy turvy. If you wish to save the current installation, you'll likely have to: 1) Scan thoroughly for malware, and follow removal procedures. 2) Get up-to-date on your Critical Patches & Service Packs again 3) Get your driver versions up-to-date 4) Reinstall your favorite programs under the new user profile created during your last XP-repair. 5) Move your personal data from the earlier user profile's "Documents and Settings" folders into your new user profile's "Documents and Settings" folders. 6) Run a Registry Cleaner to tidy up what is likely a messy Registry (CCleaner works well --- http://www.download.com/CCleaner/300...-10315544.html ) Best of luck . . . Gary __________________