Windows XP does not allow reformating and partitioning

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ned Beck
  • Start date Start date
N

Ned Beck

Hi,
I have problem with XP computer which will not start.
I got black screen with the message that some files are lost and need to be
reinstalled.From that point it was possible to do clean install only with 6
startup discs because Windows XP refused to start with CD instalation
disc.It went good to the point of choosing partition. When I wanted to
delete partition on C drive I got message that windows need some instalation
files from there so it refused to do it. At the end I got "clean instalation
" with 30 GB of old files on it. Previously I tried to delete these files
by putting this drive in second computer and deleting it but they are still
there after succesfull delete! I tried also to format this drive as a second
drive on other XP machine but it was not possible.
Does anybody knows about some program which can do that? Something like DOS
disks which works on Windows XP so it can be formated and partitioned as
from Windows 98?

Thank You in advance.
Nedzad
 
Thank you for quick response
i have already tried that but without success.
Any other idea ? Please!!!
 
Hi, Ned.

What is the make and model of your computer? Did it come with WinXP
pre-installed? Some OEMs customize WinXP; if you have one of those, you may
need to contact the OEM for instructions. Or read the manual.

When you try to boot from the WinXP CD-ROM, what happens? Step by step,
including error messages - verbatim?

It sounds like your problem may be happening before your computer gets far
enough to try to boot WinXP Setup.

Please throw away your Win98 boot disk! Or at least hide it so that you
won't be tempted to use it ever again. You don't need it for this project.
WinXP Setup is quite capable of deleting existing partitions and creating
and formatting new ones as a part of the installation process. Just as
Jupiter Jones said.

If you need to preserve existing applications and data, you might try an
"in-place upgrade", as described in this KB article:
How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;q315341

As soon as the reinstall is completed, get your firewall and virus working
again and visit Windows Update to get the latest Service Pack and fixes to
protect you from viruses and such.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP
 
Ned;
What exactly happens?
Is your motherboard BIOS configured to boot from CD?
Are you deleting the partitions?
You should not need the floppies.
 
Hi,
My motherboard BIOS is configured to boot from CD and it was not possible to
do it without 6 boot floppies first. I tried to delete partition on C drive
but I got message that it is not possible because some files needed for
Windows setup are there.I know that I should not need floppies because I
used to do it before without problems.
My computer is HP 1.4 GHz.with 256 MB RAM. and 40 GB hard drive.After "clean
Windows XP instalation I got 10 GB free space and 30 GB taken by old files.
I have no idea what is going wrong.
Please help!
 
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