Repair Install-Affect Current Programs

[George Emslie]

Is there a chance when I load the new OEM XP Home on my current XP Home
installation following the Repair process to get my 2 machines activated,
the Repair process will not affect the programs I have loaded on each
machine. Is there a better chance the Repair process will cause me to have
to reload all of my programs? :(

Thanks for your help!

George

[R. C. White]

Hi, George.

I'm not sure I followed your convoluted sentence. ;^{

But "the Repair process" can have at least a couple of meanings. I usually
use this phrase to mean that we boot from the WinXP CD-ROM and press R to
start the Repair process. This usually does only a few basic front-end
things, like repair or replace the MBR and system files. This should not
affect applications and data at all.

If you mean a "repair reinstallation", also known as an "in-place upgrade",
the answer is a little more complex. I've never lost any apps and data with
an in-place upgrade, but in the KB article that tells how to do it, MS says
that such loss is a possibility, so backup first. If this is what you mean
by "the Repair process", then read this:
How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;q315341

You know, of course, that for two machines, you can use a single WinXP
CD-ROM but you will need separate licenses for each machine. And that there
are different OEM versions; do you mean the "generic" OEM version, such as
you might get with a new motherboard, or the version that you would get from
an OEM like Dell, Gateway or HP? Many of those are locked to the specific
machine and you'll have to follow instructions from your specific Original
Equipment Manufacturer. Once an OEM copy of Windows leaves Microsoft, the
OEM is responsible for supporting that copy.

You didn't mention WHICH OEM version you have, so all we can say is that
SOME of our "generic" advice will apply to you and some won't.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX

Microsoft Windows MVP

"George Emslie" > wrote in message
...
> Is there a chance when I load the new OEM XP Home on my current XP Home
> installation following the Repair process to get my 2 machines activated,
> the Repair process will not affect the programs I have loaded on each
> machine. Is there a better chance the Repair process will cause me to
have
> to reload all of my programs? :(
>
> Thanks for your help!
>
> George