Remove old O/S

[Guest]

I am trying to free up additional disc space on a lap top. I have upgraded
from Windows 98 to Windows XP Professional. I think the old system has been
disabled but is still on the hard drive. If I am correct, how can I remove
Windows 98 to free up the space?.

Rynnster

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I am trying to free up additional disc space on a lap top. I have upgraded
from Windows 98 to Windows XP Professional. I think the old system has been
disabled but is still on the hard drive. If I am correct, how can I remove
Windows 98 to free up the space?.

Rynnster

Try this:
1. Start a Command Prompt (Start / Run / cmd.exe {OK})
2. Type this:
set systemroot {Enter}
Make a note of the reply.
3. Type this:
dir /s c:\win.com {Enter}
Make a note of the reply.

If the results from Steps 2 and 3 are the same then your WinXP
system directory is the same as the Windows 98 directory. In
this case it is difficult to separate the two systems. Buy a new
disk and copy the system across - they are cheap!

If the results are different the do this:
- Rename to folder you found in Step 3 to xxx.Win98
- Wait a week
- If all is well, delete the renamed folder.

 

[Guest]

Thank you for your response. I did as you suggested. Step 1 produced the
response c:\windows. Step 2 produced the response c:\windows\system32.
I tried to rename the folder but when I clicked on the file rename folder
was not an option. I tried deleting the folder but was told it was not
allowed. Do you have any other thoughts as to how I can delete this file.

Thanks,
Rynnster

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

WinXP is most likely installed in the same folder where Win98
used to reside. However, the upgrade process would have removed
most of the Win98 files. What's left would take up very little disk
space. Your best bet is to clone your existing disk to a new and larger
disk.

It's just as well that WinXP prevented you from deleting the
System32 folder. If you had managed then your system would
now be crippled!

 

[Guest]

Thank you again. I guess I have been saved from my own stupidity. If it is
not a lot of space being used I will just leave it alone. My desire to free
more disk space remains. I have a 6 gb hard drive of which 4 gb is being
used. Other than the operating system the only applications installed are
Office and Close Combat. I have defraged, done disk clean up, and removed the
service pack 2 uninstall file. Any suggestions on where else to look for
opportunities to free space?

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

You best option is still to move Windows to a larger disk. Here
are a few other options:
- Launch IE and reduce the space used for Temporary Internet Files.
- Empty the Recycle bin.
- Start a Command Prompt and execute these commands:
del /s /q c:\*.tmp
del /s /q c:\*.dmp
rd /s /q "%temp%" (this will probably create an error message)
md "%temp%" (this will probably create an error message too)
rd /s /q c:\temp (this may raise an error message)
md c:\temp
- Launch Windows Explorer, make it show all hidden and system files,
then delete all update folders in c:\Windows (they start with "$").
- Disable the WinXP restore facility.
- Disable the hibernation feature if you have one.
- Move the paging file to another drive if you can.

If this was my PC then I would not bother with any of these measures,
because large disks are so cheap.

 

[Guest]

Thank you again for the help you have provided. I will explore the
possibility of a new disc.

Rynnster

 

[Guest]

Thanks for resonding. I will look into your suggestion, though I have to tell
you I feel a little intimadated, since I am not all that familiar with the
workings of the computer.

Rynnster