Filed under: Windows Repair Software
I want to know what the “repair” option will do to my computer??
January 18, 2010
3 thoughts on “I want to know what the “repair” option will do to my computer??”
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Clean Registry and Optimize PC
Repair will try to refresh your install of XP pro, it WILL reset some settings and might make SOME software non-functional, but it will not erase any files that aren’t in your %windir% directory (and even some of those that are) which is typically C:\Windows or wherever you installed it to… note: it may, however make access to your my documents folders more difficult, you may need to make a new user, but your previous files will not be deleted, just accessing them requires the correct credentials, so it may lock you out, because those folders are protected, but it does NOT delete any files that were in there…
no idea, but if I had to guess, I would say it goes in and only reinstalls the part of windows it thinks is broken. Definitely won’t lose data (just like a full reinstall), might have to reinstall your software.
It’s a reinstallation of Windows. You will not lose your programs or data. Here’s the process from Microsoft:
How do you perform a reinstallation of Windows XP, sometimes called a repair installation?
Configure your computer to start from the CD-ROM drive. For more information about how to do this, refer to your computer’s documentation or contact your computer manufacturer. Then insert your Windows XP Setup CD, and restart your computer.
1. When the Press any key to boot from CD message is displayed on your screen, press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP CD.
2. Press ENTER when you see the message To setup Windows XP now, and then press ENTER displayed on the Welcome to Setup screen.
3. Do not choose the option to press R to use the Recovery Console.
4. In the Windows XP Licensing Agreement, press F8 to agree to the license agreement.
5. Make sure that your current installation of Windows XP is selected in the box, and then press R to repair Windows XP.
6. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete Setup.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/tips/doug92.mspx
See this Microsoft article as well:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315341&Product=winxp
Here’s another site with some additional perspective:
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm