What happens with Critical Updates when Windows is overinstalled?

I recently had to install Windows 98se over my existing installation. Since then I have been having some strange problems with software that was OK prior to the overinstallation. This indicates to me that something has been warped in Windows' memory.

So....

What happens to the existing critical updates when you take the Windows installation back to a time prior the installation of the critical updates?

Since critical updates cannot be uninstalled, it seems logical that the updates modify the content of various *.dlls *.exes etc. and when Windows is overinstalled these modifications would be lost. Or do the version control algorithms protect against such activity?

Its hard for me to believe that the version control algrithms would be active during an installation of any kind, since that would void the main reason for the installation... Fixing the problem with system software.

Since my overinstallation I have not been requested to approve any of the old critical updates for Windows 98se. This leads me to believe that the critical update process is controlled through a data file somewhere on my system and that this file possibly does NOT get reset during a overinstallation (or reinstallation for that matter).

I've been uable to locate any references to re-installation of Windows and the handling of Critical Updates on Microsoft's site. Who knows if I used the correct search phrases!!!

What do you know?

 

Update history

Rod,

In your windows directory you'll find a file called qfecheck.exe (it has a light bulb as an icon), it will tell you which updates windows is aware of. Of course, you could also go to Windows Update or BigFix.com and see what they list as needed in your machine. Look at a small file and see if it's on your QFE list.

There's another file called system file checker (Sfc.exe, I think - it has a folder icon with a blue check mark) in your windows system folder that will tell you if you have any corrupted files.

Normally an over-installation, as you so aptly named it, copies the settings it finds in the registry (which means if the prob is in the registry, it's still there after the redo), but just as often the (what M$ calls alien or non M$) programs need to be reinstalled as the reg settings may be unique to the software and beyond M$'s knowledge.

If your probs seem to be with a specific program, rather than something global
you should re-install that specific software.

If instead, the prob seems to be OS related, and after doing all the above, you may need to strip your disk and do a fresh (stand-alone or OEM restore) installation. If this seems necessary, be sure to BACK UP CRITICAL FILES, DRIVERS, DATA, E_MAIL ADDYS etc! LB