Reinstalling XP and now have 2

  • Thread starter Thread starter PJ
  • Start date Start date
P

PJ

I have recently re-installed Windows XP and ended up with
2 copies on my C drive.
The problems are
1) All my old software is still on the drive but it is
not recognised by the new windows. I can go into windows
explorer and see it and can even open it, but it does not
appear in the programs list (start-programs).
2) If i try to update any of the software over the web,
it does not recognise that I have the software installed.
3) My computer speed (scolling with a wheel mouse) is
very slow.
4) I keep getting error messages "complie error in hidden
module: XXXXXXXXX

If I look at the "C" drive I can see that there are
duplicated files ie documents and settings.

HOW DO I CLEAN THIS UP?????????

As we know XP does not let you re-format the disk, so
when you use the repair or re-install function on the CD-
Rom you end up with a second copy on your machine.
 
Sounds like you installed a copy over a copy already on,
in which case you will still have all the old files under
the old directory. If you had reformatted with XP, which
IS possible, you would have lost everything anyway. If
you did a second option repair with XP, the one after F8,
it doesn't put a second copy of XP on and you shouldn't
have these problems. You should still be able to access
all your documents, but the software won't run, it will
mostly need to be reinstalled. You might have some that
might still run if you go to their program folder and
find the exe and start them from there. I would suggest
if you want to clean up the mess completely, (and don't
feel bad, I did this too when I was a newbie and had XP
problems, I have 4 copies of XP on my old machine!) I
suggest you back up all your document files, your
mailboxes and address book if you use Outlook or OE,
received files, any jpegs you want to save, any saved
games if you play them, then make a boot disk, reformat C
and then do a clean install of XP and reinstall your
applications. If you don't have the disks that go with
the computer, make a note in device manager of type of
display device, modem, sound, and ethernet devices. You
may have to go searching for drivers and it helps to know
what you have without having to tear the machine apart.
Xp doesn't always find them all and these are usually the
culprits. I hate modem drivers! Good luck and hope this
helps
Wendie
 
PJ,

Visit the following site for help with your problem(s);

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/xpfaq.html#topmain
(select #18 for your problem with 2 installations on the same drive)

In regards to your statement that you can't format the disk, scroll the page
at the site listed above until you reach the entry titled "Format XP by
booting from the XP CD."
 
reinstall xp again except do a FULL FORMAT not the quick
one when it restarts and says "click any key to boot from
cd" hit it and format again a "full format"
 
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