Can't Delete Partition.

[Guest]

I need to do a new install of XP Home and when I get to the partition screen, I try and delete the exisiting partition and it says that files are needed in that partition for installation and it cannot be deleted. I have tried several times to re-install XP but all the files transfer over to the new install and I'd really like a clean hard drive. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

 

[Malke]

I need to do a new install of XP Home and when I get to the partition
screen, I try and delete the exisiting partition and it says that
files are needed in that partition for installation and it cannot be
deleted. I have tried several times to re-install XP but all the files
transfer over to the new install and I'd really like a clean hard
drive. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

Is your computer an HP or Compaq and you are trying to delete the
special restore partition? If this isn't the case, then post back
detailing exactly how you are trying to do your installation.

Malke

 

[John Barnett - MVP]

Dan how are you trying to delete the partition? If you are booting up
windows xp to the desktop and then using computer management/disk management
to delete the partition then this may be the reason why you are getting the
error message. After all XP is still running, it can't delete itself while
running.
The best way is to boot up using your windows xp cd. Let the setup run and
load the files to memory. As the install progresses setup will search your
drive for other versions of windows. Obviously it will find a copy of xp.
You have two options, Repair or install new copy. Choose install new copy.
At this stage you will be asked where you want to install the new copy. A
screen will appear with drive C: highlighted. Now from here you need to read
the screens carefully because you will now have the option to continue or
Delete the current partition. Press D to delete the highlighted C: partition
followed, on the next screen, by L (but please read the instructions before
proceeding). After deleting the partition you next need to Create a new
partition. Again read the instructions on the screen. You will need to press
C to create a partition. Next screen will allow you to insert the size in MB
of the partition you want. After creationg the new partition another screen
will suggest thast the partition be formatted. The default will probably be
NTFS. If you don't want this type of file system then highlight the FAT32
file system instead. Incidentally don't use the quick format. Use the
standard format instead. After formatting setup will continue to install xp.
I haven't yet put the details of deleting and creating partitions on my web
site, but you may find some other interesting hints and tips.
www.freelanceit.glowinternet.com

Click on the WinXP faq button and choose from the menu

Hope this helps

John Barnett - MVP
Associate Expert
www.freelanceit.glowinternet.com

I need to do a new install of XP Home and when I get to the partition

screen, I try and delete the exisiting partition and it says that files are
needed in that partition for installation and it cannot be deleted. I have
tried several times to re-install XP but all the files transfer over to the
new install and I'd really like a clean hard drive. Any thoughts? Thanks in
advance.

 

[Alex Nichol]

need to do a new install of XP Home and when I get to the partition screen, I try and delete the exisiting partition and it says that files are needed in that partition for installation and it cannot be deleted.

You do it as part of a reinstall of the system after booting the XP CD
direct. Enter Setup, and after the license agreement take New Install.
When it asks you to confirm where, hit ESC; select and delete the
current partition and make a new RAW one to be formatted at the next
stage

The important point is the delete. Without that it will just go ahead
and make a new install over the top of the old one