Tell me more ×
Super User is a question and answer site for computer enthusiasts and power users. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 1 down vote favorite

I have several major driver problems that over the past weeks and months are insurmountable, and there is precedent for them on web message boards over the past year: no sound available anywhere in Windows (and accompanied by lurching, low framerates on YouTube vids), and more recently a BSOD that hits after a few minutes of usage (less so when in Safe Mode).

I want to reinstall Windows 7 and hope that fixes the problems. The pre-setup statement in so many words says that data files will be unaffected. But my question is this: If I have a lot of other programs and dirs sitting immediately inside the C: drive like Eclipse, Boost, CGAL, MinGW, etc., will the Windows 7 reinstall wipe those directories out?

share|improve this question

2 Answers

up vote 3 down vote accepted

If you are even getting BSODs in Safe Mode, it could be hardware failure and not just drivers (as Safe Mode does not touch/use custom drivers).

However, if you do an upgrade installation, it will leave your files and programs untouched. It will simply reinstall Windows system files over the top of your current installation.

share|improve this answer
I'm pretty sure it isn't hardware, since I'm getting the exact same sound failure/staggered framerates after changing out the notebook system board, and the BSOD happens only with one particular HD containing the OS in question, although I certainly wouldn't rule out the SSD HD hardware. The BSOD, though, only started a few days ago (around the time of a Windows Update, but I have no idea how coincident). Thanks for your reply. – user33666 Oct 12 '10 at 19:12
@user33666 what are the contents of the BSOD? – William Hilsum Oct 12 '10 at 19:49
up vote 1 down vote

Not if you do a system upgrade...You could get a fresh operating system by "upgrading" Windows 7 to Windows 7...This way, you can keep all of your programs, documents, videos, pictures and other data, etc...

EDIT: Yes, It is possible to upgrade the same OS over again. I went partway through the Upgrade process to make sure, and yes, it looks like it could work...

share|improve this answer
1  
I really appreciate both of your answers. I'm planning on giving it a try after this Malwarebytes scan finishes. I'm writing this during it. – user33666 Oct 12 '10 at 19:14
hope it works out... :) – studiohack♦ Oct 12 '10 at 19:16

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.