If I reinstall XP will I lose my wireless lan network and internet

simonsayers · 01-23-2009, 06:19 AM

A friend of ours set up our wireless LAN network. MY pc had the internet set up like normal, then we got a laptop so we needed a wireless internet. We got a router and everything.

Im having XP troubles atm . My partion is unknown (in the windows xp cd set up) so I assume my data is long forgotten now. If I reinstall XP over this partion, I know it will wipe my current install, but will this delete the wireless internet and LAN.

Im very tentative about doing this because I have NO idea how to set up networks and lan and such, and If I lose the internet I am up **** creek, the laptop and the internet is my only life line atm.

Does the wireless lan communicate with the PC in order for it to work? My PC is up the fritz atm and the net still works , so If I reinstall XP do you think it will just detect with the new XP install? or it will all be wiped and have to be reinstalled/set up.

ATM my PC doesnt boot at all, not even in safe mode, recovery console doesnt work so Im just going to reinstall XP on the unknown partion

Hefemeister · 01-23-2009, 06:32 AM

You will have to reinstall all of your drivers including the wireless drives. Then you will need to know if your friend encrypted your wireless network and what the key is to reconnect to it.

You could also try a repair install if you wish.

carnageX · 01-23-2009, 08:46 AM

It won't affect the router at all, so your laptop should stay connected w hen you reformat the desktop. Like Hefemeister said, if its encrypted you'll have to know the key to get back on after you reinstall the drivers for your desktop, but you can easily find what this is from your laptop.

forrestcupp · 01-23-2009, 09:01 AM

If you need to reset the encryption key, you should be able to get to your router's settings by plugging your computer directly into the router (rather than trying wirelessly), opening your web browser (Firefox or IE), and typing your router's IP address into the address bar. Usually that's how you get to the router's settings. From there, you can change the passkey.

If you don't know your router's IP address, open the command prompt and type ipconfig. The numbers next to 'Default Gateway' are the router's IP address. It will be something like: 192.168.1.1

But they are right, you'll have to install the wireless and network card drivers first. And it's always possible that your friend didn't set up encryption. If that's the case, it will just work after you install the drivers, but you won't be secure and anyone can get onto your wireless network.

simonsayers · 01-23-2009, 10:37 AM

The wireless net has a WEP key and I need to enter that to use the net (if its another PC trying to use the net). I know the wep key so i can jus connect again with the key?

will the network card and routher auto detect like windows does when it finds new hardware? i dont have any drivers or nothin.

So you think itll be ok to reinstall then? hope so

Hefemeister · 01-23-2009, 10:49 AM

what computer or motherboard do you have? you will need the drivers from the manufactures website to reinstall on your system. Also keep in mind you will have to reinstall all of your programs and put back any backup data for it will all be gone. If you are really worried about reinstalling everything you can try a repair install first. A clean install would be better but sometimes it is not the best option.

simonsayers · 01-23-2009, 11:14 AM

i tried a repair install but during the xp setup (near the desktop stage not the BIOS style setup screen) I had many copy errors with lots of important files.

I managed to run XP, install sp3, now it doesnt boot at all. safemode hangs at MUP.sys

I tried a repair install and my partition is now unknown. SO i assume its gone. so reinstallin is only option

Hefemeister · 01-23-2009, 11:16 AM

Is your xp disk damaged (scratched)?

simonsayers · 01-23-2009, 01:20 PM

na, new disc

carnageX · 01-23-2009, 03:24 PM

If you're getting copy errors, could be: bad cd-rom drive, bad RAM, or maybe even a bad HDD.

TO test the HDD: boot off of the XP disc, press R to enter recovery console. Choose the partition to scan, and type: chkdsk /r
May take a while to scan/repair.

To test the RAM: download Memtest86+ from Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool and burn the ISO to a disc (if you don't have ISO burning software, get ImgBurn from The Official ImgBurn Website and burn using that). Boot off of the CD and let it run for a minimum of 4 hours.

CD-ROM: just use a different CD-Rom drive if you have one laying around; or borrow one from a friend.

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