windows xp reinstall

[rolex]

I may have missing or corrupt system files If I reinstall windows XP over my current version, will this cure the problem?

[chris watton]

it should do yes, but, to be honest, if your PC's playing up quite bad, and you've had it unchanged for a year or two, it may be worth doing a Hard drive format and full reinstall, (assuming you still have the serial key for XP), and, assuming all your hardware is 100% ok, your PC should be as good as new
(remember to back up all your important stuff first though!)

Have you tried a system restore?

>> Edited by chris watton on Thursday 29th July 20:03

[LaurenceFrost]

Windows XP repair (reinstall) is always going to be problematic. The XP service pack files are installed in a seperate directory, but I'm not sure that the XP restore can account for this!

Format and reinstall from scratch is the safest thing to do. As has already been said though, back up EVERYTHING you need.

[warmfuzzies]

try running the system file checker first, start-run, then type "sfc /scannow" without the quotes obviously, it will then fix any system files that have been replaced by non MS ones or non original ones.

Kevin

[rolex]

Cheers, people,I have tried Kevins idea first. Time will tell if its cured the intermittant hangup.