My computer got the “registry cannot load the hive” blue screen of death tonight. I have XP Pro and would like to use the Recovery Console to repair, but I am thwarted because I can’t get into the Console (it doesn’t like my password).
So I am thinking I have to reinstall XP. However, when I get to the Setup screen, the message says (approximately) “It’s a bad idea to install Windows over an existing Windows install. You will lose all your settings, user accounts, applications, and your My Documents folder will be overwritten and you will lose all those files, too.”
I’ve had to install Windows over Windows many a time, without ever losing a file, but I never saw that particular warning before. The only difference this time is that I’m booting from the install CD (just like you would in a fresh install) and there happens to be an existing install of the exact same O.S. already on the system.
So, can I proceed, or do I really run the risk of losing all my existing files? I doubt it, but I can’t afford to be wrong. Any insight/assistance would be appreciated.
Data recovery is probably the greatest concern. It is not normally a DIY job. If you can take the machine to the source (mfgr.) or a good PC repair shop/person they can usually recover data bu not settings etc.
Recovering data is always suggested, just in case.
A reinstallation may overwrite the MyDocuments Folder but I am not absolutely sure. It will overwrite the entire Windows Folder. It should not harm the other folders on the drive. You will have to reinstall application software after a reinstallation. I just did this in XP Home and I had the option to re-install or repair. You have to let the CD run through the point beyond the Recovery Console Option. Did you set an Administrator password? If not I think you just use the Enter key.
What version of Windows are you using? Also what are you worried about loosing? If you only care about the data files there are plenty of ways to get it.
I assume since you said recovery console your running Windows XP.
You can do a repair install, at the second promt (first after the terms and conditions) press “R” to start a repair install. It will load Windows on top of itself and keep your data intact. You will have to reinstall all the programs, but the data will still be there.
You can also put this hard drive in another computer and just copy the data off.