Because I install and uninstall a great deal of software, and do a lot
of tweaking and modding, my operating system (win xp pro) has gotten
very bogged down (slow, crashy). Rather than figuring out why from
among hundreds of possible causes, I'm considering a fresh reinstall
of the OS, to bring back that perky, springy new computer feeling.

I do want to keep some information, though -- primarily data created
in various applications, particularly all Outlook data (contacts,
inboxes, etc.), and the various preferences/configurations for the
applications I use.

Is there a way to reinstall XP without deleting anything else on the
drive? I understand many (most) applications and peripherals will no
longer work correctly, but that's OK, I can reinstall them one by one
as needed. I just don't want to lose all the info I mentioned above.

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Clarification of Question by stupidsexyflanders-ga on 22 Apr 2003 05:39 PDT

First of what will likely be many clarifications: My copy of XP Pro is
standalone, i.e., it did not come preinstalled on my computer (OEM).

If you have a legal copy of winXP just insert the cd and run the
installation program. You will keep your configurations, personal data
and programs. You will not lose anything except the windows upgrades
that you did.

Just make a fresh install, you will have some data lost, like (in) My
Documents and your outlook express. If you want to save some of your
data, just go to you C:\ drive and make a top level folder of your own
name and drag your files there. I've done this before. ( you are right
about the programs, you will still have them, but not the registry
entries to make them run)
You should be fine if you do the fresh (not upgrade) installation
withOUT formatting.
Hope this works

Instead of fudging up your work machine, you might want to consider
using a product such as VMWARE, which will allow you test all you want
without having to reinstall and risk losing data

www.vmware.com

Hi stupidsexyflanders,

Before reinstalling, I'd try letting XP make an attempt at a repair.
Insert the CD as if you are indeed doing an "over-the-top" install,
and say NO to using the recovery console. Then, the install CD will
search for any OS's already installed. When it finds yours, it will
offer you a repair. AFter the repair, the computer automatically
reboots. I have done this twice with great results.

If the repair does not work, you can just do the same thing but say no
to the repair and do the over-the-top install. I'm a big fan of doing
the least invasive measures first...
--Cynthia

I really doubt that re-installing is what you need to do.  I would
open up MS Config by clicking Start > Run and typing "msconfig" and
pressing enter.  Click on the startup tab and then un-check some of
services from loading when the computer starts. This will definitely
speed the computer up.

Buy a small hard disk.  Install as a secondary.  Move any data you
want to keep to the new hard disk, say D:.  And then format C: and
re-intall a fresh copy of WinXP.  I keep all my program data,
downloads, Outlook data on a large second hard disk.  This keeps it
safe when the XP System disk crashes or needs re-installing.