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View Full Version : OS change, no files lost?


spoonybard
May 3rd, 2003, 20:29
Simple question. Is it possible to switch to an OS without losing any files?

In my case, it's from Windows XP to Windows 2000.

Thanks.
Bruce
May 3rd, 2003, 21:02
Yes, but in your case, no, well kinda sorta, but probably not how you'd want.

You can't downgrade an OS.

You could backup all your files though, format the drive, load Win2k, then reload all your files.
northwind
May 5th, 2003, 20:29
Agreed. Downgrading on Windows is pretty hard. Also, backing up your software installations might not go so well since they will probably be incompatible with the new OS.

I recommend you just stay with XP. To much of a hassle to switch and honestly, theres nothing no big difference except for a little bit of a stability issue as well as security.
Robert
May 5th, 2003, 20:33
Originally posted by northwind
Agreed. Downgrading on Windows is pretty hard. Also, backing up your software installations might not go so well since they will probably be incompatible with the new OS.
.


I didn't know it was EVEN possible to downgrade.
_Street_Fighter
May 6th, 2003, 05:45
its possible to downgrade. my dad had win2k on his comp, but win98 wouldnt work on it. when we tried to install it, the cd kept hanging. we called our warranty people and they replaced the whole hard drive and cdrom drive again and then they formatted the h/d and put in the win98 cd and it worked =P

it should work, but in my case i had a bad cdrom drive...

- SF
Robert
May 6th, 2003, 07:20
Originally posted by _Street_Fighter
its possible to downgrade. my dad had win2k on his comp, but win98 wouldnt work on it. when we tried to install it, the cd kept hanging. we called our warranty people and they replaced the whole hard drive and cdrom drive again and then they formatted the h/d and put in the win98 cd and it worked =P

it should work, but in my case i had a bad cdrom drive...

- SF


That's not Downgrading. That's Backuping your data, formating, installing the new OS (Win98) and restoring your data.
_Street_Fighter
May 6th, 2003, 14:55
Originally posted by Robert
That's not Downgrading. That's Backuping your data, formating, installing the new OS (Win98) and restoring your data. ummmm... i thought you were saying that it wasnt possible to go back to a different system... i see what you mean now =P

- SF
CareBear
May 7th, 2003, 17:05
The only way to revert back to an older Windows seems to be if you upgraded from Win98: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;303661

Even if it was possible it's still best to just bite through and backup and then reinstall everything.