Assuming you are wanting to re-install a new copy of Windows on top of the old one, you don't have to do more than the data backups that you should be doing anyway. A simple Windows re-install does not delete your data.

If, on the other hand, you want to wipe the entire partition and re-generate it, then not only would you have to move to safety everything that was not part of the OS, you would have the problem of re-installing it all to work with the new OS. Not to be done lightly.

I would do the simple re-install without wiping in the first instance and see if that fixes whatever is the problem with your current version. I have to say that some of the Windows 7 auto-updates in the last week have been very buggy, and there are many things in the systems I use that since the updates don't work as they should. For example, simple clicking on a link in an email doesn't work. In addition to all the Win7 problems, there has been at least one faulty update with Adobe reader.

Good luck!

Yes, thats what I'm finding as well. I am having weird issues that I cannot for the life of me, understand what happened.
Okay, let me ask this again. I don't want to mess up. Do I simply insert my Original Windows 7 disk, I will see the option to install it again without wiping out all my other stuff?

I disagree with installing on top.. You might end up keeping the problems you have. 15years as IT technician and recordist, I always format before installing an OS.
If all the music projects and other data are on different drives. Just format the C: drive and reinstall everything. Yeah, the sad thing is most VSTi need to be reinstalled entirely. but you won't have doubts about starting back with a clean OS installation.

Also, once everything is back to normal and ready to work, may I suggest you do an image of the C drive on an other disk. That way you can revert to that stable point any time. Or just install on a new drive right away(keeping the other in the meen time), once ready, copy it to the old one and you can just swap the drives and continu to work if a problem arise!

damn, but thanks for the advice.

I'm the same way, every couple of years I reinstall everything from scratch after completely wiping the OS hard drive, then spend a few hours reinstalling all the software I need. But after I make sure all the files that I want to keep are on a separate drive, I usually disconnect it manually before the new installation because I'm paranoid like that. I just know one of these days I'm going to forget which drive letter has the files on it or windows is going to assign new drive letters and confuse me or evil spirits are going to get into my motherboard and make a mess of things. But that's just me.

I re installed windows xp twice on my laptop and it took me about 12-14hours each time, to re install, optimize, and then enter all the authorizations and what have you. But I did the whole re format of the c drive which contained no audio data, and backed up the whole thing as it was before I started. Yea that sucked a lot, so I make sure I had a television and some brews close by. Good luck Chris.

did the op try a system restore to a date before you started seeing issues?
usually thats the first thing i try when, say, windows 7 stops receiving midi over usb.

second, perhaps 100$ on a new zillion terrabyte drive, then slave the old one to the new one

next would be OS reinstall. while it doesnt delete any data, your registry is reset so about 50% of your software will need reinstalled.

i would never wipe a drive, its just not necessary given the risks.

Josh, while your approach is a valid option, I respectively say, I'm not in agreement with all you're saying.
Yes a system restore is a nice option IF you know when it became unstable. If the system became lasy after a long time of installing and uninstalling stuff or by catching malwares or virus. It's no use. You can't use a restore point without an exact date in mind...

A second drive is a great idea that I already suggested, but my idea was to take more time to install everything on a new drive and make sure it's perfect before using it in production. Then, once perfect, you can make an image of the new install on the old drive and keep it as a backup. (A swap the drive and work option)

Now for wiping a drive. Unless you want to make a low level format (which is not necessary) no wiping (format) can damage your drive. If you're affraid of losing data, it's because you saved some stuff on the C drive which I never do and so the OP if I understood correctly.
Why format is good. When you reinstall you replace the system files, a part of the registery but traces of unwanted software may still be there. I'm not saying you can't get away with it. But believe me, my last job was computer support and 40% of people which we installed windows on top of an old install came back still having problems. With an activity so critical as recording for customers, would you take any chance ? I wouldn't ! ;)

But, it's just me, I'm a professional IT technician :)

Josh, no hope for a restore point that i would trust. My CP is still running okay, but I can tell its getting lazy ( I like that term ;) ). I'm planning to wipe it out and start over when things slow down. That sounds like the most sure way around it all. Total pain indeed.