If you have to reinstall, you will lose everything. If you can do a repair instead for Windows XP, it is much cleaner... You will definitely have to re-download all service packs, updates, etc. for Windows. Depending on how you do it, you may save all of your data files in My Documents, but I would recommend copying all data to a removable drive, disk, second partition, etc. This is just added insurance.
Yea, what i do is this.. partition them HDs.. my OS and only my OS resides on my C DRIVE, All else is setup on other partitions, this way if i need to reformat, i only loose my OS< which is ok... yea...you will loose all updates, patches ect.. when reinstalling from XP cd...
Tho it is a pita, it is recommended that you reinstall, or even format your OS drive at least once a year. Alot of unnesscary files and junk tend to gather, plus you find out just how much unwanted programes and not needed games and stuff you dont need...
dont forget about your contacts and address books also.. Simple Google for how to back up these things, and you will come across very ez tutorials and tips on how to easily save this important stuff..
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