Is is safe to delete partitions?

  • Thread starter Thread starter buli
  • Start date Start date
B

buli

Hi ,
I want to make a clean install Windows XP Media Center,and i already
have Windows XP Proffesional.
So when i want to install it i get a window from where i can delete all
partitions.but its saying that deleting these files can be
dangerous.....so what i want to know is is it really safe to delete all
partitions??
Or can it cause any damage to my computer?
 
buli said:
Hi ,
I want to make a clean install Windows XP Media Center,and i already
have Windows XP Proffesional.
So when i want to install it i get a window from where i can delete all
partitions.but its saying that deleting these files can be
dangerous.....so what i want to know is is it really safe to delete all
partitions??Or which ones i can delete and which ones are not safe to delete?
Click to expand...
I thing there was like 3-4 partitions.
 
buli said:
Hi ,
I want to make a clean install Windows XP Media Center,and i already
have Windows XP Proffesional.
So when i want to install it i get a window from where i can delete all
partitions.but its saying that deleting these files can be
dangerous.....so what i want to know is is it really safe to delete all
partitions??
Or can it cause any damage to my computer?
Click to expand...

if you are going to do a clean install, you need to format and create new
partitions. The danger...All your files and old system will be lost and
replace by the new system...that is why if you have important files you need
to save to reinstall back again
Read this two articles from windows:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/winxp/install.mspx

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313348/
 
You don't need to delete the partitions just to reinstall Windows XP. You can
format the particular partition where you want to install Windows XP and
continue safely. Deleting the partitions could only be dangerous if you have
valuable data on your HDD. Recreating the partitions only if you want to
resize them.

Hope this help, let us know!

--
Tip of The Day
=========
Add SHOW / HIDE Recycle Bin option in "Folder Options". Learn how to at:

http://www.mindurbrain.zippyfreehost.com/
 
MS says 'Windows XP erases your hard disk drive using a
process called formatting and then copies the setup files. '
but I recall when I did it 4 yrs ago only C is erased where
the OS is. D thru H on my PC werent affected. Make sure ur
current C is big enuf- say 6GB

To be safe, I imaged all partitions just in case install
went badly. 'Proper planning prevents piss poor performance'
Those with data (not apps, TIFs,..) are only old partitions
usable in new OS .

So u end up saving everything u can 4 1 reason or the other.

HTH-Larry

Hi ,
I want to make a clean install Windows XP Media Center,and i already
have Windows XP Proffesional.
So when i want to install it i get a window from where i can delete all
partitions.but its saying that deleting these files can be
dangerous.....so what i want to know is is it really safe to delete all
partitions??
Or can it cause any damage to my computer?
Click to expand...


Any advise given is my attempt to show appreciation for all
the excellent help I've received here but I'm no MVP so it
may only apply NUGS (Normally, Usually, Generally, Sometimes :)
 
RajKohli said:
You don't need to delete the partitions just to reinstall Windows XP. You can
format the particular partition where you want to install Windows XP and
continue safely. Deleting the partitions could only be dangerous if you have
valuable data on your HDD. Recreating the partitions only if you want to
resize them.

Hope this help, let us know!

--
Tip of The Day
=========
Add SHOW / HIDE Recycle Bin option in "Folder Options". Learn how to at:

http://www.mindurbrain.zippyfreehost.com/
Click to expand...

reading to fast he wants to do a clean installation of media center

Hi ,
and when he got the window during the installation asking about formating
the drive he is lost about what to do
So when i want to install it i get a window from where i can delete all
 
:
:
: "buli" wrote:
:
: > Hi ,
: > I want to make a clean install Windows XP Media Center,and i already
: > have Windows XP Proffesional.
: > So when i want to install it i get a window from where i can delete all
: > partitions.but its saying that deleting these files can be
: > dangerous.....so what i want to know is is it really safe to delete all
: > partitions??
: > Or can it cause any damage to my computer?
: >
:
: if you are going to do a clean install, you need to format and create new
: partitions. The danger...All your files and old system will be lost and
: replace by the new system...that is why if you have important files you
need
: to save to reinstall back again
: Read this two articles from windows:
:
: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/winxp/install.mspx
:
: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313348/

Do you want just Media Center or do you want Media Center and Pro?
Do you have more than one partition?
 
It doesn't matter. If you want do want to a clean install you don't need to
recreate partitions.

LFR, just answer a simple question, why someone will delete all his
partitions and recreate them with the same similar size.

Buli, I will still advise to you that before you make any step first backup
all your data to any removable media like CD-RW then start the Clean
Installation process.

Let us know!

-----------------
Tip of The Day
=========
Add SHOW / HIDE Recycle Bin option in "Folder Options". Learn how to at:

http://www.mindurbrain.zippyfreehost.com/
 
Thanks for your replays!
I have no important data on my PC cause its a new one.
So if i delete all partions i will delete only data which is from the
current OS and data/programs which i created by my own? No important
data like system files or something else which is importand for the pc
to work ,will be deleted??

And someone asked how many partitions you have: 3-4,i don't remember
exactly cause i have it in another pc.
And i want to install media center edition(not pro).
 
Create and deleting partition is the basic process. I am asking you that do
you want to resize the partition e.g. suppose you have 80GB hard disk with 4
partitions on it, each of 20GB. Now, do you want to resize any or all of your
partition? If yes, then you can continue with deletion process and create new
partitions as required. Further, if you don't want any data from your hdd
then you can still choose the format method. If you want only a single OS
like MSE then I will suggest you to install it on C drive. You don't need to
run any third partition utility to recreate or format partition.

Hope this help, let us know!
--
Tip of The Day
=========
Add SHOW / HIDE Recycle Bin option in "Folder Options". Learn how to at:

http://www.mindurbrain.zippyfreehost.com/
 
RajKohli said:
I am asking you that do
you want to resize the partition e.g. suppose you have 80GB hard disk with 4
partitions on it, each of 20GB. Now, do you want to resize any or all of your
partition? If yes, then you can continue with deletion process and create new
partitions as required
Hope this help, let us know!
--
Tip of The Day
=========
Add SHOW / HIDE Recycle Bin option in "Folder Options". Learn how to at:

http://www.mindurbrain.zippyfreehost.com/
Click to expand...

No,i don't want to resize partitions,is it something i have to do in
case i delete the existing partitions,or...?I know i should create one
new partition and format it(for the Windows which i will install),but
do i have to create new ones? If yes why?
 
I have two hard drives C and D.
If i delete all partitions(and craete just one for OS) will i than have
just one hard disk or will have two hard disks(C and D)?
Im really new in this partition thing and its the first time that i'm
installing an OS.So i'm quite afraid that i may take a bad step and
ruin everything!
 
May be your pronunciation is not correct. Do you have two hard disk in your
PC or
one hard disk with two partitions?

First of all, I would like to say that either you need to recreate the
partitions are not is very much depends on your use. Say, if you have a
single hard disk of 80GB or 2 hard disks of 40GB each then it depends on you
that how many partitions you want. So, first you decide that what you
actually want from your HDD space.

I assume that you have one hard disk with two partitions. There is nothing
to worry about Creating New Partitions and Deleting Old one, if you don't
need any data on them.

Suppose, you have an 80GB Hard Disk with 2 Partitions. C is 40GB and D is
40GB. If this is the configuration then I will suggest you to continue with
format procedure. If you have C with 20GB and D with 60GB then you need to
resize the partitions. If you don't know the exact size of partitions the
still continue with setup.

What you actually need is: A bootable Windows XP MCE CD. Insert the CD and
boot from it. In the setup process you will be asked to delete / create or
format the partitions. Setup will also show you the preconfigured partitions.
If the size are already correct then continue the setup with format otherwise
delete the partitions and recreate them. What you will get either C or D or
both is depend on how you configure the size of your disk. E.g. if you have
80GB HDD and at the time of creating partitions, you give all the space the
single partition then you will have only one drive.

On the other hand, if you have 2 hard disk with C and D drive then I will
still suggest you that you continue the setup without recreating the
partitions and after the setup complete you will have 2 drives C & D.

Before installation you can read the following article. Note down the points
and then continue.

http://www.lifehacker.com/software/...nd-install-windows-xp-from-scratch-157578.php

Hope this help, let us know!
--
Tip of The Day
=========
Add SHOW / HIDE Recycle Bin option in "Folder Options". Learn how to at:

http://www.mindurbrain.zippyfreehost.com/
 
Deleting a partition means that everything on that partition is gone.
What exactly are you going to do?
Take a hard drive out of another computer and install in a new computer?
Is the drive going to stay in the new computer?
What are you going to do with the drive that is in the new computer now?
Will the old computer still have on operating system?
--
Ronald Sommer

: Thanks for your replays!
: I have no important data on my PC cause its a new one.
: So if i delete all partions i will delete only data which is from the
: current OS and data/programs which i created by my own? No important
: data like system files or something else which is importand for the pc
: to work ,will be deleted??
:
: And someone asked how many partitions you have: 3-4,i don't remember
: exactly cause i have it in another pc.
: And i want to install media center edition(not pro).
:
 
How large are these hard disks? Do you intend to format as FAT32
or NTFS?

Do you have an original Windows XP disk, a Windows XP
SP2 Update CD, all programme disks, and all disks for hardware
containing firmware and drivers.

Do you have a report on all hardware with web links for software
updates and drivers and web addresses for software updates?

Have you taken backup copies of all data files, your address book
and favourites?

Do you know how to recreate your personal settings and
preferences?

Do you have a Master Plan of all the steps you need to take to
restore the computer to the way you want it?


--

Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England

Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
buli said:
I want to make a clean install Windows XP Media Center,and i already
have Windows XP Proffesional.
So when i want to install it i get a window from where i can delete all
partitions.but its saying that deleting these files can be
dangerous.....so what i want to know is is it really safe to delete all
partitions??
Or can it cause any damage to my computer?
Click to expand...

Deleting partitions will NOT damage your computer. It will only make
your old data lost forever, more or less.
 
With the computer i only got:"Windows XP SP2 Update CD"
So if i would like to reinstall the current OS(though i'm not planing
to do so,i will instal Windows MCE,im just curios to know),will this cd
be enough or not?
 
What is the computer make and model?


--

Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England

Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Back
Top