How to Reinstall Software

It is sometimes necessary to reinstall software. Operating systems and application software can fail for a large variety of reasons. Reinstalling is similar to the initial process of installing software but with minor differences.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Reinstall Your Software

1. Make backup copies of all your important files and downloaded programs. Copy these to a removable storage device such as a CD or a flash memory card. If you are reinstalling your operating system, you may lose everything you have installed or saved. Your backup copies ensure that your files and programs are not lost. Check hidden folders and archives for other important files.
2. Disable your screen saver and close any open applications. Open applications will use up some of the resources needed for the reinstallation. If your screen saver is activated, your computer will be forced to pause every time it appears.
3. Change the setting for hibernation mode. You will need to deactivate this feature if you have set your system to go into hibernation after a certain amount of time. Otherwise, if the software takes a long time to reinstall, the hibernation mode will activate and possibly corrupt the installation.
4. Examine the software program CD you plan to reinstall. Make sure it is free of scratches. Scratches on the CD may cause the program to halt during installation, which may create more problems.
5. Place the CD in the CD-ROM drive. If you are reinstalling your operating system, manufacturers usually recommend that you reboot your system to begin the process. If you are reinstalling an application CD, then an autorun dialog box will appear.
6. Select the appropriate button to begin reinstalling the software. Follow the instructions given to complete the process successfully.
7. Be aware that during the reinstallation process, the program may find files originally created during the initial installation of the application. A dialog box may appear asking if you would like to keep or overwrite these files. You should keep the files if they contain important information.
8. Check your system when you have finished reinstalling the program. Start the application to make sure that it installed properly. If you reinstalled your operating system, find out if your programs were saved. Any programs that may have been lost should be reinstalled.
9. Return your screen saver and hibernation utilities to their original settings.

Tips & Warnings

• Contact your software manufacturer if you get messages that some needed files are missing during reinstallation. Completing installation without these files could be hazardous to your computer.

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