How can I re-install Windows without losing all of the data on my computer?

Question

I had a virus on my computer. I followed steps I found online to remove the virus, which seemed to work. Unfortunately, about a week after I removed the virus, my computer just crashed. I can't even get it to load up and the Geek Squad people told me Windows had someone been un-installed. They also said that just re-installing it could wipe my computer clean. How can I re-install Windows without losing everything on my computer?

Additional Details

Just to clarify... I do not have Windows currenlty on my computer. When I turn it on, I cannot get past the black Windows screen. Therefore, how can I back up this data if I cannot even get into my drives?

I was specifically told by Best Buy that they can back up the data, it will just cost between $100-150 for them to do it, or they said I could do it myself. I want to know how I can do it myself.

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

i have reinstalled win witout osng anything.you lose everything when you reformat the drive.

Answer 2

The only way would be doing a windows repair, but it windows is no longer on your computer then that will not work. So if possible I suggest backing up your data onto flash drives or external hard drive. They're very handy I have all my important data on both my comptuer and external hard drive, just in case my computer does ever crash.

But this site may be helpfull to you.
http://www.cybertechhelp.com/forums/inde…

Answer 3

Pretty much what everyone is saying in simple terms is that you cannot get your data back. All you can just do now is reinstall windows and start fresh. Good luck.

Answer 4

One way that you could get access to your hard drive without Windows would be to use Ubuntu(http://www.ubuntu.com). Ubuntu is an operating system like Windows and Mac, but is free. Not only is it free but you can try it out without installing it, which is what you use inorder to access your hard drive.

1) go to http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download and download the .iso file

2) burn the .iso onto a new CD-R

3) Insert the CD into the computer, and restart it

4) Ubuntu CD should load, don't press anything and let it start up (you don't want to accidently install it)

5) Once the desktop is loaded, you should see something that looks like a cross between windows and mac

6) On the top bar, go to "Places" and look for you hard drive

7) Once you've opened up the hard drives folder, you can drag and drop things that you want to back up on to an external hard drive or usb

Its not gonna be the easiest thing to do, but it beats paying $100-$150. Hope this helps and wasn't too confusing. Maybe someone else has an easier way.

Answer 5

ola! i dont know this either.