How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP

INTRODUCTION

This article describes how to perform an in-place upgrade, or reinstallation, of Microsoft Windows XP. This is also named a repair installation. It reinstalls Windows XP to the same folder. You may want to perform an in-place upgrade if your installation of Windows XP must be repaired. Such a repair installation may be required if one of the following conditions is true:

·        You cannot start Windows XP in Safe Mode.

·        The problem is caused by a recently installed Microsoft software update, and you cannot solve the problem in any other way.

·        There is a registry problem that cannot be solved by using other tools such as System Restore.

·        You must use the Windows Setup program to enumerate Plug and Play devices again, including the hardware abstraction layer (HAL)

 

To reinstall Windows XP, use the appropriate method in the "More information" section.

MORE INFORMATION

Note You may want to disconnect from the Internet during the installation. Disconnecting from the Internet during the installation helps protect you from malicious users. You may also want to enable the firewall in Internet Explorer. For more information, see the "Enable or disable Internet Connection Firewall" topic in Windows XP Help.

Before you perform an in-place upgrade

*       If you perform an in-place upgrade of Windows XP, all existing restore points are removed and a new system checkpoint restore point is created after the in-place upgrade is completed. Do not perform an in-place upgrade if you may have to use System Restore to restore your computer to a previous state.

 

·        Do not use a repair or in-place upgrade to try to resolve a problem with a user account, password, or local profile. To determine if the problem is related to a user account, password, or local profile, create another user account (if you can), and then log on to that account to see if the problem is resolved.

·        Do not use a repair or in-place upgrade to resolve a problem with third-party programs, files or registry entries.

·        Do not use a repair or in-place upgrade if you suspect disk problems.

·        Do not use a repair or in-place upgrade if you suspect a problem with a third-party device, and the latest device drivers are currently installed for the device.

 Note: In order for the repair process to work correctly it is necessary for the version of Windows on the CD to match the version of Windows on the computer (including service pack level).  For example you need an XP Pro SP2 CD to repair a Win XP Pro SP2 computer.  You cannot use an XP Pro CD to repair a XP Home computer or an XP Pro SP1 CD to repair a XP Pro SP2 computer.

Method 1: Reinstall Windows XP by using Windows XP

To reinstall Windows XP by using Windows XP, follow these steps:

  1. Start your computer.
  2. Insert the Windows XP CD in your computer's CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive.
  3. On the Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP page, click Install Windows XP.
  4. On the Welcome to Windows Setup page, click Upgrade (Recommended) in the Installation Type box (if it is not already selected), and then click Next.
  5. On the License Agreement page, click I accept this agreement, and then click Next.
  6. On the Your Product Key page, type the 25-character product key in the Product key boxes, and then click Next.
  7. On the Get Updated Setup Files page, select the option that you want, and then click Next.
  8. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to reinstall Windows XP.

Method 2: Reinstall Windows XP by starting your computer from the Windows XP CD

To reinstall Windows XP by starting your computer from the Windows XP CD, follow these steps:

  1. Insert the Windows XP CD into your computer's CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, and then restart your computer.

     
  2. When the "Press any key to boot from CD" message appears on the screen, press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP CD.

    Note Your computer must be configured to start from the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive. For more information about how to configure your computer to start from the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, see your computer's documentation or contact your computer manufacturer.
     
  3. You receive the following message on the Welcome to Setup screen that appears:

This portion of the Setup program prepares Microsoft Windows XP to run on your computer:

To setup Windows XP now, press ENTER.

To repair a Windows XP installation using Recovery Console, press R.

To quit Setup without installing Windows XP, press F3.

Press ENTER to set up Windows XP.

  1. On the Windows XP Licensing Agreement screen, press F8 to agree to the license agreement.

     
  2. Make sure that your current installation of Windows XP is selected in the box, and then press R to repair Windows XP.

     
  3. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to reinstall Windows XP. After you repair Windows XP, you may have to reactivate your copy of Windows XP.

     

After you perform an in-place upgrade or repair installation, you must reinstall all updates to Windows.