Uninstalling 2nd OS

D

Dermot

I tried to clean install XP over Win ME, but the first
Operating System was not deleted. Now in the boot menu, I
have a choice of XP or windows. How can I delete the old
OS? I don't want to format the hard drive and re-install
XP, as on a previous attempt to install XP, I got an error
message 'inf file txtsetup.sif is missing'. I had to copy
the i386 folder to the hard drive and run setup from
there. Should I partition a small d drive and copy the
folder there before formatting c? I'm not really confident
using dos. Thanks for any help!
 
C

Carey Frisch [MVP]

I would suggest starting over from scratch and perform the installation
of Windows XP correctly. Apparently, you now have the undesirable
configuration of having two operating systems installed on the same partition.

The Windows XP CD is bootable and contains all the tools necessary
to partition and format your drive. Follow this procedure and allow
Windows XP to partition and format your drive:

NOTE: It would be best to physically disconnect all your peripheral hardware
devices, except the monitor, mouse and keyboard, before installing XP.

1. Open your BIOS and set your "CD Drive as the first bootable device".

===> Accessing Motherboard BIOS
===> http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

2. Insert your Windows XP CD in the CD Drive and reboot your computer.
3. You'll see a message to boot to the CD....follow the instructions.
4. The setup menu will appear and you should elect to delete all the existing
Windows partitions, then create a new partition, then format the primary
partition (preferably NTFS) and proceed to install Windows XP.

5. Clean Install Windows XP
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

[Courtesy of Michael Stevens, MS-MVP]

6. ==> Immediately after installing Windows XP, turn on XP's Firewall.
==> http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

7. After Windows XP is installed, visit the Windows Update website
and download the available "Critical Updates".

8. After installing the critical updates, be sure and visit the support website
of the manufacturer of the computer to download and install any
available Windows XP compatible drivers, such as video adapter
and audio drivers.

9. If you happen to run into any installation difficulties, use the following resources:

How to Troubleshoot Windows XP Problems During Installation
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;310064

Troubleshooting Windows XP Setup
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_setup.htm

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Kelly Theriot]

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


| I tried to clean install XP over Win ME, but the first
| Operating System was not deleted. Now in the boot menu, I
| have a choice of XP or windows. How can I delete the old
| OS? I don't want to format the hard drive and re-install
| XP, as on a previous attempt to install XP, I got an error
| message 'inf file txtsetup.sif is missing'. I had to copy
| the i386 folder to the hard drive and run setup from
| there. Should I partition a small d drive and copy the
| folder there before formatting c? I'm not really confident
| using dos. Thanks for any help!
 

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