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:?: Question: How do I know if the process was a clean install vs reinstall.

Situation: Older computer with WinXP upgrade. Poor performance so wanted to do a clean install. The first couple of times I tried it the process asked for the Win98 CD but I threw it out weeks ago (I know that was a mistake - now) but do have the product key page and boot disk that came with the computer. Last night, I as able to delete the two partitions (8 MB and 24 GB - didn't mean to keep two when I did the intial upgrade), and formated the unpartitioned area (about 30+ minutes) and then the install process completed (about 30+ minutes).

BTW, the programs on the drive prior to the process are no longer there.

So was it a clean install?

Thanks,
Joe

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Short answer: very likely a clean install. As observed, an in-place (over‑the‑top) upgrade normally preserves the Program Files and user profiles; when those are gone the setup has almost always written a fresh Windows image to the partition.

Checks to confirm

  • Check the creation date of the C:\Windows folder (right‑click -> Properties) — it should match the recent install time.
  • Look at C:\Program Files and C:\Documents and Settings for old application folders and profile names; their absence is a strong indicator of a clean install.
  • Open Disk Management (Start -> Run -> diskmgmt.msc) to verify the current partition layout and that the partition was reformatted.
  • Review Control Panel -> Add or Remove Programs and Device Manager for missing OEM utilities or drivers; an upgrade would generally leave those entries intact.

If recovery of data or settings is desired

  • Stop writing to the disk. Continued use lowers recovery chances.
  • Use a bootable recovery tool or a second system to run file/partition-recovery utilities (examples: TestDisk/PhotoRec, Recuva, commercial recovery services). Deleted partitions and a subsequent Windows install reduce success rates but recovery is sometimes possible if sectors were not overwritten.
  • For mission‑critical data, consider professional recovery — they can image the drive and work from a copy.

Next practical steps

  • Reinstall Dell drivers and utilities for the XPS 600, run Windows Update, and reinstall applications from original media/backups.
  • Keep a current backup and retain any OEM or older-OS media and product-key stickers for future reinstalls.

For , the pattern described lines up with a clean install; the checks above will confirm it.

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Other information
Dell XPS 600, 25 GB HD, WinXP (upgrade), RAM 500+,

Member Avatar for Catweazle

It sounds like you'vre done a clean install. If it was an 'over the top' install the installed programs would still be there!

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