Hi, I have just re-installed windows XP Home on my laptop having been advised to do so by the manufactuer due to Windows not loading when the machine was turned on. The re-installation went tickity boo apart from the fact that I've managed to install a parallel version instead of creating the new installation as the only one on my hard disk. This means that of the 80GB on my hard drive, 35 is taken up with the previous Windows which is still there and all the files that were contained within it. I would like to be able to boot to this new and uncorrupted version of Windows but have most of the files which were contained in the old one. Basically, transfer from the old to the new. I'm quite happy to re-install programs and stuff but the thing is, from my 'new' desktop which contains absolutely nothing, I can't get them in the add/remove programs list to do so. I could go in through explorer but from what I know just deleting things isn't a great idea. Can anyone tell me how to get the old windows into the new? Many Thanks from a stressed out old fart who could do without the hassle of his own stupidity.

Hi, Your best option is going to be to backup all your personal files, music, video, pictures etc. Then carry out a clean installation of Windows. Tinkering with boot.ini files etc to try and remove the second copy of Windows is giing to be risky. hth Ceri

All you needed to do was a "repair installation" of XP http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/...

Just perform the repair install to the original XP installation as jam stated.I made these instructions for myself but use them if they make sense. If the repair goes OK you can simply delete the windows folder of the parallel install, and edit boot .ini file, all instructions below. Repair Install A Repair Install will replace the system files with the files from the XP CD that is used for the Repair Install. It will leave your applications and settings intact. Windows updates will need to be reapplied. SP2 will also need to be re-applied if you are using an SP1 OS/CD. NOTE=Factory supplied Restore Disks will not work to do a Repair Install.( Manufactures will most times have a partition set aside for a repair install, you will need to check your manual for this option.) If possible, Before doing the rapair install copy the wpa.dbl file to a floppy and after the repair copy/paste the file to the C:\windows\system32 folder, This will save doing a re-activation of the OS. ( only if no Major Hardware changes are made.) 1=Set BIOS to boot from the CD/ROM as first boot device, With OS/CD in the drive restart the computer. 2=When the prompt to "Press any key to boot from CD/ROM appears (Do so now as you have only seconds).(Ignore when prompt appears on any reboot) 3=Windows setup, Loads files. 4=You will see Windows XP home or Pro setup. 5=To setup windows press "Enter." 6=Press F8 to accept license. 7=To repair selected Windows Installation press "R." 8=Copies files to the Hard drive. 9=Computer will Re-Boot 10=follow the on-screen instructions.. 11=Enter the "product Key" 12=The computer will re-boot again during the install, do not use "the press any key" command at the prompt or you get to do it all over again. 13=Follow on screen instructions. Edit Boot.Ini file Go to start/Run and type "msconfig", Open "Boot.ini" , highlight the new OS, click on "check all boot paths" and remove the entry for the new windows setup. .