Reinstall XP Without Losing Any Software Or Settings

This technique lets you completely and nondestructively rebuild, repair or
refresh an existing XP installation while leaving already-installed
software alone (no reinstallation needed!). It leaves user accounts,
names, and passwords untouched; and also takes only a fraction of the time
a full, from-scratch reinstall does. And unlike a traditional full
reinstall, this option doesn't leave you with two copies of XP on your
hard drive; or delete an exiting copy. Instead, you end up with just your
original installation, but repaired, refreshed, and ready to go.

It's XP's most powerful rebuild/repair option; and yet Microsoft chose to
hide it behind seeming dead ends, red herrings, and a recycled interface
that makes it hard to find and (at first) somewhat confusing to use. Go
figure.

We've saved this technique for last in our discussion of the various XP
repair/rebuild options because the fixes we've previously discussed are
like first aid--- the things you try first. For instance, see this
discussion on removing limitations on XP's Recovery Console (
http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=187000225 ),
turning it into a more complete repair tool; or this discussion on the
Recovery Console's little known boot data "Rebuild" command (
http://www.informationweek.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=185301251 )
that can cure many boot-related problems. (There's also lots more on the
Recovery Console here: http://tinyurl.com/p7fnr )

But when the Recovery Console techniques don't work and you're facing the
prospect of a total reformat/reinstall, STOP! Try this no-reformat
reinstall technique, and you just may get your XP setup running in a
fraction of the time and with a fraction of the hassle of a grand mal wipe-
and-restore.

You'll find complete, step-by-step instructions with abundant screen shots
waiting for you here:
http://www.informationweek.com/windows/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=189400897

With this information, you should almost never have to face a dreaded
start-over, from-scratch reformat/reinstall of XP!