Repair Installation vs Complete Reinstall

from WinCustomize Forums
ok so i got a new mobo (ASRock 775i65g) replacing my old one (ASUS K8N). Everyting else (except the CPU) is the same.

I can either:

a) Just do a repair installation to redetect chipset drivers (which im planning to do either way to get backups)

b) Just completely reinstall WinXP

thoughts?
5,699 views 11 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

The first question I always ask:

"Is there any reason not to do a clean install"

If the answer is 'no', then I do the clean install. I can always feel confident that the computer will have the correct drivers, registry entries, and progams that I want (or a friend wants) installed - with no excess baggage.

My 2 cents.

Sins of a Solar Empire II
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I concur with Corky. With a new mobo/different BIOS a clean install is the better option. A while back I had to do a mobo replacement (same CPU, everything) and the repair install I was advised to do ran like a hairy goat....as in not at all well. A clean install resolved that issue, no "excess baggage"..
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
Gonna hafta go with the consensus here. If you have another computer to backup important files, I would do so if you haven't already.

Good luck!
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Definitely a clean install. Excess, especially in the registry, can slow it down and impede performance.
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Time for a clean install, Windows accumulates all sorts of junk over time, so It's a good opportunity for a clear out.

Make sure you've downloaded all the drivers you need before you start and you have them safe on a disc. Backup up all your data - twice. If you have any games, back up your game saves. If you have any skins or themes back those up too. And then there's e-mail...

You should be back up and running, lean and clean in no time at all    

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
What they all said!
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
yep i agree what they said you should listen to them threi.


heres the kicker...i reinstalled XP a month before my old mobo died
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
heres the kicker...i reinstalled XP a month before my old mobo died


Don't ya just hate when that happens! Thats a bummer Threi...but I'd still do a clean install.
Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top
Time is the only reason to try a fix (after recovering the data). It is a pain to do a clean install with all the apps, but as the consensus says, it is the best way to go. And the time is a "pay me now or pay me later" thing. If you do a repair, you will have to do a clean install in the future to clean out the gunk.