How do I install a new Windows OS on my old pc while retaining my old files?
824624
let your current version of windows load then put in the new windows cd and select upgrade
31733
If both of the PCs are desktop PCs, just take out the hard drive from your old PC and put it as secondary drive in your new PC. It should be automaticaly found and you can either keep it like that or copy all your files (like from one folder to another) and then move back the old drive. If you think you can't do this, you can also go to best buy or circuit city and for about $85 they will do it for you.
1005845
i wouldnt put anything from your old pc on it you have a new one just start fresh and use your old one aswell
582519
No. There is no eay way. Perhaps the easiest is to simply buy another hard disk (if you can actually install one in your hardware) and install a fresh copy of the operating system on it, making it the a new c drive, but this raises some particular issues. Some applications (and many operating systems) require that certain files (configuration stuff, for instance) be on the same drive from which the system has booted (or on which the application is installed). So changing to a new drive like this will involve some obscure issues dependent on not so obvious details of how this or that program (including the operating system) was designed and implemented. \n\n==========\nThere are some things you'll have to think about here, before you do anything at all. I'll assume you aren't going to get a new hard disk, and discuss the problem as you laid it out. Namely, reformatting the existing C drive and reinstalling your system on it. \n\nDo you really need to reformat? You may be able to reinstall Windows over itself, and if a damage Windows file is part of the problem, escape without the major pain of reformatting. \n\n========\nFirst, without the installation CD (or copies of all the files from it) you're sunk. I'm not sure from what you say whether you have a copy of the CD on your second drive or not. If you don't ... Trouble lies that way. \n\nSecond, You must backup everything you have on the C drive that is not reinstalled from the distribution disks. And you must be certain that whatever backup method you choose will be able to actually read the backup formatted files after the reinstallation. It is not unusual, sadly, for some backup programs to be unable to actually read in the backup files it creates. \n"Backup" includes the operating system (Microsoft has dropped support for 98 and for SE, so you would be well advised to update -- my suggestion is to 2000, but some folks are willing to settel for 2000 Lite -- ie, XP. Or even to make this your opportunity to switch to a vendor who poses fewer problems -- the main option as I write this is one of the kind_of_Unixen), Linux -- my favorite is the SuSE distribution). And "backup" includes application files as well. Identifying just which files these are, and where they are is not always easy. Clearly all your pictures and documents you've written and would qualify, but applications (and operating systems) usually have several configuration files, history files, backup files, index files, ... which it will save time to have copes of. But, if an application doesn't provide for saving these and reinstalling them over a fresh installtion of the application, ...  There will be problems here as well. You might have to reconfigure some or all of your applications (and the operating system too) after reinstallation. this is a pain, but may be unavoidable...\n\nThird, you must be certain that any new hardware you've installed will be recognized by the Windows boot routines at reinstallation time. It might be wise to start a reinstallation (with the intent of cancelling it essentially immediately) to test whether the BIOS will call up the Windows installation routines from wherever they are, and whether they will be able to find the new hardware. Since hardware support (ie, drivers and design troubleshooting) for 98SE has mostly been dropped, increasingly more hardware will not be supported for 98SE.  Without support, you'll have to write your own drivers -- not recommended.\n\nFourth, you must, when reinstalling, configure your software in ways which are compatible with how they used to be configured, lest there be odd (perhaps fatal) happenings from the incompatibilites. Some things don't matter -- like icon colors or the shape of the cursor, but some will.\n\nFifth, keep a record of what you did and why at each step of the way, starting before you begin backing up. Include all instructions (and options) and the immediate re
1093647
Buy a new harddisk\nUnplug the old one from the motherboard.\nInsert the new one.\nInstall Windows XP SP2.\nAttach the old harddisk to the 2nd channel.\nCopy data from the old one to the new one.\nUnplug the old harddisk.\nNow you have a backup as well as a WinXP without virus/spywares.
281733
If you are using it on another computer of your own, just plug it in as a slave drive and then if using Win XP, just go to My Computer and right click on the drive. Then select format and it will wipe it clean for you. \n\nIf you are just going to install windows on it then just format at windows setup.\n\nIf you are not going to be the user of this computer and want to protect your privacy use a tool from http://www.download.com to do a deep format - one in which data cannot be recovered.\n\nGood Luck
855461
Free trial of what?  If it is the operating system, you are likely going to have to do a system restore back to before you installed the new OS.  It may not let you though, that would mean that you would have to re-install the old operating system from the CD, if you have it.  It may or may not let you do it with the new one running, you might have to set it up from MS-DOS during the boot-up, or just restart the computer with the old OS CD in the drive, it may start on it's own.
818794
When you install a new mobo its best to start a new OS. I think you're windows disc will be fine
1025667
reformat the hard drive and install a full version of windows 98
735161
Install the OS again unless you know how to restore all the system files I would just stick to doing an install.
370224
you could use a program called VM virtual machine. this lets you install as many operating systems as you want without touching you file system.\n\nfor example: you could have windows XP installed in your computer with NTFS using all your available space. And create a virtual machine to run with this app that creates a file that emulates another hard drive.\n\nfor more information google it!!!
603838
1.  turn the computer on\n2.  insert your Windows XP installation CD.  Note that this must be a full installation CD... not the backup CD's you get from Dell or Gateway.\n3.  reboot your computer.  when prompted to press a key to boot from CD... press any key.\n4.  Follow the onscreen prompts to install windows\n5.  It will ask you which partition you wish to install windows on... as this point you will have the option of deleting the partition.  Choose the option to delete the existing partitiong which will be named "C:"\n6.  follow the prompts to confirm deletion.  YOU WILL LOSE ALL DATA.  make backups of anything you want to save\n7.  you will be returned to the "choose a partition" screen.  instead of having a C: partition you will now see a listing for "Unpartitioned space".  choose the unpartitioned space.\n8.  Setup will prompt you to enter how large you want the partition to be.  enter in the size in Megabytes you want the new partition to be.  1024 Megabytes = 1 Gigabyte.\n9.  Choose the option to do a full formet.  NOT the quick format.  Depending on the size of the parition your making you may want to go out and have lunch ;).\n10.  when the partition is finished formating choose the new C: option in the "choose a partition" screen.\n11.  follow the prompts to re-install windows.
868791
If you have an installation disk for Windows, you should be able to format your computer and make a fresh installation of Windows in place of your existing one.\n\nThis will delete all your settings and current files, and will be replaced with an original copy of Windows. So you should backup all your files onto a CD before you proceed.\n\nYou can't reverse this process, but it will do the job, and will give you a clean install of Windows to work with.\n\nIf you have a Dell or other branded computer, it may have a utility which can clean reinstall Windows for you.
1003962
Move your important information from drive whitch windows installed to another drive. now install the legal copy.
548781
If you don't have factory reinstall discs, and don't want to re-install windows then you need PowerQuest Partition Magic 8.0.\n\nUsing this software you can partition hard drive and format the new partition in any format you want without any risk to your files provided you have enough hard drive space left.\n\nYou can download trial version by searching on google. This is what I did with my Compaq laptop to install linux OS without re-installing windows XP.\n\nOnce the new partition is ready, copy your personal files as a backup on it.\n\nP.S. In case of hard drive failure, you won't be able to retreive anything from any of the partitions.
923675
if u have  a windows xp bootable disk, then insert it and it will give u an option to format it. cuz if u format the c drive, which i think contains ur windows, u may need the windows disk to reinstall windows on it.
422602
Backup all your information, format the HD and reinstal OS. Probably the easiest way.