installing windows xp

will installing windows xp again in my computer hurt it without uninstalling
the present installation first? i get an error message when i try to
download adobe flash player saying that i need to associate a file so that it
will download but i have no idea what file to associate it to from the
folders options in the control box...and i thought i would just reinstall the
whole windows xp home edition....would this help does anyone think?

Greetings,

Of course a full re-install would probably solve this. You could try a repair installation
but since a repair install retains your registry the problem could still remain.

If you've backed up all your files onto another disk drive, CD, or whatever the XP installer
will actually give you the option to remove the previous install and completely format the
drive (wipe it clean) if that's what you're asking. This may be a bit drastic. You might be
able to solve the problem by giving us the exact error message you're seeing and posting it
on the applicable newsgroup (this one is for Windows Live Messenger).

--
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger/MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2006 Jonathan Kay.
You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.
--

"bluesue" <> wrote in message
news:2582B4DD-B3BC-4BE0-A377-...
> will installing windows xp again in my computer hurt it without uninstalling
> the present installation first? i get an error message when i try to
> download adobe flash player saying that i need to associate a file so that it
> will download but i have no idea what file to associate it to from the
> folders options in the control box...and i thought i would just reinstall the
> whole windows xp home edition....would this help does anyone think?