Reinstalling Windows XP with different Disk?

When you reinstall Windows, it will automatically delete ALL of the files on your computer no matter which disk you use. Be Careful!

Make sure that you backup all of your necessary files before you reinstall. You will also need to reinstall ALL your software after you install Windows, so make sure you have those disks.

Also, make sure that you have copies of all your device drivers before you reinstall Windows. This is especially important for your network card. If you do not have the drivers for your network card on disk, you will NOT be able to connect to the internet in order to download them.

If you can not even boot into Windows at the moment (making it impossible to backup your files), I recommend using a Linux LiveCD to gain access to your files (see http://www.ubuntu.com ).

If it is for a full install you can do it, if it a restore you can't

You cannot install windows xp with a different disc, if it is oem (meaning if the disc came from a different computer).

Yes you will lose your files, that is what an reinstall does no matter what, it will format the hard drive and reinstall windows. If you lost the cds to your computer, you can contact the manufacture for replacements and they will either be free or a whole lot cheaper then one you would buy in the store. OEM disc normally aren't more then 65 dollars.

Ask a computer engineer to help with that problem.

Repair install = no.

Format and clean install = yes.