Sometimes re-installing Windows is the best way to fix certain problems. But this does not mean you will lose everything. Most of the time all of your settings, email, programs, and users are left intact. Much of this is dependant on the state of the computer before you start re-installing. If you are not familiar with installing an OS, I do not recommend trying this on your own.

Sometimes there is no other option but to start from scratch and re-install everything.  you should have all of the program disks, driver disks, and the product key (usually attached to the computer) BEFORE you start.  If you have access to the Internet, I would recommend downloading the latest drivers and program patches also.  These files can be save to a USB drive or burnt to a CD for quick access.

After re-installing you MUST download and install all the Windows Updates again.

There are many free tools that will allow you to create an install disk with the latest Windows Service Packs already installed. This process is called "slipstreaming". It will cut down the amount of time you have to spend downloading and installing all the patches with Windows Update.

It is also important to re-install using the disk that came with your computer.  If your computer is older, it may have come with a disk that has a previous Service Pack. The installation process may not let you re-install with the older version. You may need to create a "slipstream" disk before you start.

Once again, I do not recommend doing this if you are not familiar with installing and OS.  Having a good backup will always help bring back what may be missing no matter which course of action had to be taken.   The installation process can take a couple of hours or more, so be sure to plan for this.

CCS can assist in this process. We has had great success reinstalling without losing any data. Like I mentioned above, this all depends on what the initial cause of the problem is.  Take note that this procedure will not remove any spyware or viruses, unless you re-install from scratch. If you need to get rid of an infection, data can be lost, unless it has been backed up before the malware was acquired.

If you need help with this process please feel free to email me or call 800-672-4806

Have a Great Weekend
-Bryan