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| Thread ID: 81638 | 2007-08-02 08:27:00 | Is it possible to install XP without deleting everything on the HDD? | Fishy (10540) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 575529 | 2007-08-02 08:27:00 | I've got some stuff on a HDD (NOT an OS) that I want to keep but I ran out of DVD's, and I can't transfer the 30gb of files to my other HDD because that only has 8gb left. I was wondering if it's possible to install XP on the drive that only has files on it and no OS without deleting the files that are currently on it. So without formatting it, because it doesn't need formatting anyway, theres nothing but files on it. Is this possible? I sure hope so. Cheers. |
Fishy (10540) | ||
| 575530 | 2007-08-02 08:30:00 | If you don't need to format then yes, just run the install. | pctek (84) | ||
| 575531 | 2007-08-02 08:36:00 | Sorry I know your probably very knowledgeable but I just want to confirm before I do it. So when I put in my XP cd will it ask me whether I want to format or not and I just click no and voila all my crap will not be deleted? | Fishy (10540) | ||
| 575532 | 2007-08-02 08:55:00 | I never heard of it being done before, but it sounds risky to me. If you could partition the drive and put the files into one partition and XP onto the other you'd be a lot safer. | Greg (193) | ||
| 575533 | 2007-08-02 09:02:00 | We did a reinstall this way: we created a fake account to sort all the documents and programs out afterwards. | pcuser42 (130) | ||
| 575534 | 2007-08-02 09:05:00 | I never heard of it being done before, but it sounds risky to me. If you could partition the drive and put the files into one partition and XP onto the other you'd be a lot safer. Partitioning the hard drive with the files still on it is easily as risky. Buy some more DVD's or risk losing the lot. Plus XP prefers a clean disk to start on. |
echothreezero (6612) | ||
| 575535 | 2007-08-02 09:10:00 | I am with echothreezero here, go out & buy some more DVD's & backup all your data, and then you know your data will be safe :) | stu161204 (123) | ||
| 575536 | 2007-08-02 21:13:00 | Sorry I know your probably very knowledgeable but I just want to confirm before I do it. So when I put in my XP cd will it ask me whether I want to format or not and I just click no and voila all my crap will not be deleted? It will come to the screen where it says what partitions etc you have. You don't have to delete the existing ones at this point, nor do you have to format either. You can just install. But as everyone says, if its important back it up first. |
pctek (84) | ||
| 575537 | 2007-08-03 03:18:00 | Not a problem. Just don't delete the partition or format. You can also have XP change it to NTFS Filesystem later if you want. Choose the Partition that shows up and install it there. It creates a Windows Directory in the root directory and installs into that. |
Bantu (52) | ||
| 575538 | 2007-08-03 06:24:00 | Cheers pctek and Bantu will install tonight/tomorow. I won't create a partition I just won't format. Just one more question. How much space do I need on the HDD to put windows on? |
Fishy (10540) | ||
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