Re: Can't delete partition

From: Donald McDaniel (orthocrossNOSPAM_at_cablespeedDOTcom.invalid)
Date: 08/20/04 

Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2004 09:41:45 -0700

On Fri, 20 Aug 2004 08:48:28 -0700, "Erik" <erik@prp.com> wrote:

>I am trying to put XP Professional on a computer that has
>2000 Pro on it. I want to do a clean install and wipe
>off everything from the computer and start over with XP
>Pro. In 2000 Pro, I would delete all of the partitions
>during setup and then I would just have the one
>installation. When I tried to do that this time, it gave
>me the comment "Setup is unable to perform the requested
>operation on the selected partition. This partition
>contains temporary Setup files that are required to
>complete the installation". Since it won't delete the
>partition, I now have Windows 2000 Pro and XP Pro both on
>the computer. Is there any way to get rid of the 2000
>Pro installation, and all of the files on that
>installation, that I haven't tried? Thanks

The XP CD is bootable. You can use it to boot your machine just like
you would use a floppy to boot your system.

Start over, and use the XP CD to boot your computer:
Go into the System Bios, and make sure that yur first boot device is
the CD drive, then put the XP CD in the drive and turn your machine
off, then back on (don't forget to save your changes in the BIOS
before you leave the BIOS setup program).

If you have correctly set the Boot sequence in the BIOS, you should
get a message telling you to press a key to boot from CD. QUICKLY
press a key (within 5 seconds or so. If you don't press a key in
time, any other installation of Windows will start. If this is the
case, just reboot your machine (press the "Reset" button if you have
one, other wise, turn it off, wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on),
and at the message, immediately press a key. Repeat this until you
get it right and the XP CD boots).

The XP installer will start. Once in the installer, you will be given
the option to delete current partitions, create new ones, format the
new partitions, and install XP. Read the setup instructions
carefully, and follow their directions.

This is the only way you will be able to recover the space taken up by
the Windows 2000 installation, and if you have by chance installed XP
on the same partition as Windows 2000, it is the only way you will be
able to unscramble the mess on your HD.

Don't forget to delete the partition containing Windows 2000. In
fact, delete all partitions, then create a new one for XP, then format
it. Make sure you back up any files you don't want to lose, since
deleting the partitions will destroy all data on them.

Donald L McDaniel
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