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Two copies of WinXP - One Computer
Showing all messages in thread #1044331118
Windows XP Annoyances Discussion Forum
The following are all of the messages in this thread (7 in all), shown in chronological order. Click any message subject to view that message by itself or to view the thread hierarchy.
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Two copies of WinXP - One Computer
Monday, February 3, 2003 at 7:58 pm
Posted by Jaime
(2 messages posted)
Here's the problem in a nutshell:
For whatever reason, WinXP was acting really ate up, and over time, eventually got
to where it was non-usuable. At first, it wasn't so bad, but you could significantly
notice a decrease in speed. Soon, the toolbar that rests at the bottom of the screen
wouldn't respond, and eventually, no icons on my desktop would respond at all. Before
it was unable to function, I ran a virus checker and swept the whole computer, so
that apparently wasn't the problem.
Anyway, I'm not that literate when it comes to Windows XP, and I asked a friend of
mine to come take a look at my computer. General troubleshooting-wise...he tried
everything to fix it. Nothing would work. Eventually he decided that it would be
best to completely format the computer, which was no problem because I had all my
important files backed up on CD-RW's anyway.
He, like me, was pretty inexpierenced when it comes to Windows XP, and after a variety
of methods trying to uninstall and format the damn thing, he gave up. He tried it
numerous times from the DOS-prompt and I think a few ways before the operating system
even loaded. Nothing. It wouldn't work for whatever reasons.
Anyway, he eventually tried to re-install WindowsXP, thinking that a re-installation
would overwrite the old one, and we could restore my system without losing my files
currently on there. Instead of fixing the problem, this added to it. Now, the new
installation works PERFECTLY, without a flaw, however, the old installation is still
on the computer, and the computer asks me which OS I want to use. The old installation
still has my old files and folders, but it's still refuses to respond and just isn't
going to give in. I want desperately to get it off my computer completely.
Is there a way I can do this? Also, another question, when my friend was messing
around with it, trying to format it, the Boot Drive switched to G:, my other slightly
smaller drive I have in my computer. I need to make this go back to C:, and rid
my computer of the older XP installation. Is this possible? We tried in DOS, we
tried formatting it all different kinds of ways while XP was running, nothing happened.
It just didn't work. We even tried formatting it from the system resources screen
under Administrative Tools and it just wouldn't work. I don't care what it takes
as far as my files are concerned, I just want to get rid of the other installation.
How do I do this? Can I do this?
I would like to keep this version on the computer, but if it takes getting rid of
it to get rid of the other version, so be it. Please, if you can help me at all,
respond to this post or e-mail me at jsutherland@s-mail.com . I would really apprieciate
any help you could give me.
To let you know a little more about the situation, here's a little more info. :::::
This problem with the other operating system progressed, and got worse over time,
so I assumed it was a virus, however, I swept it and it didn't show any virus findings.
Also, I have a virus detector on the new installation and it doesn't show any viruses,
wouldn't it show it if there was one on the other OS too?
After all these problems started occuring (or maybe before, I didn't really pay attention),
my computer wouldn't connect to the internet. I have Road Runner, and I remember
it would work for a few days after the problems started occuring, and then, if I
was lucky enough for my computer to respond to me clicking on the Internet Explorer
Icon, it would bring up a page indicating that it couldn't find a connection.
Other than that, if you need to know anything else to help me fix this problem, let
me know. I really need to get this taken care of, and I thank you ahead of time
for all your help.
[Reply or follow-up to this message]
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re: Two copies of WinXP - One Computer
Monday, February 3, 2003 at 8:31 pm
Posted by Tom Swanson
(5553 messages posted)
For your information and future sanity. Virus are not the only invasive force at
work, there are numberous worms, trojans, hijackers, keylogers, spyware, ad infinitum.
Install Spybot as well as a good AV. Both Norton and McAffee offer online virus scans
which are very thorough. Make contact with them now. It doesn't take long and may
save what's left. Find Spybot on google or search this forum.
If you have a Windows 98 or even ME, you would boot to your CD and Fdisk & re format
your C: drive. You may want of repartition and start over with the entire disk
depending on what kind of results come from purification activity.
On Monday, February 3, 2003 at 7:58 pm, Jaime wrote:
>Here's the problem in a nutshell:
>
>For whatever reason, WinXP was acting really ate up, and over time, eventually got
>to where it was non-usuable. At first, it wasn't so bad, but you could significantly
>notice a decrease in speed. Soon, the toolbar that rests at the bottom of the screen
>wouldn't respond, and eventually, no icons on my desktop would respond at all.
Before
>it was unable to function, I ran a virus checker and swept the whole computer, so
>that apparently wasn't the problem.
>
>Anyway, I'm not that literate when it comes to Windows XP, and I asked a friend
of
>mine to come take a look at my computer. General troubleshooting-wise...he tried
>everything to fix it. Nothing would work. Eventually he decided that it would
be
>best to completely format the computer, which was no problem because I had all my
>important files backed up on CD-RW's anyway.
>
>He, like me, was pretty inexpierenced when it comes to Windows XP, and after a variety
>of methods trying to uninstall and format the damn thing, he gave up. He tried
it
>numerous times from the DOS-prompt and I think a few ways before the operating system
>even loaded. Nothing. It wouldn't work for whatever reasons.
>
>Anyway, he eventually tried to re-install WindowsXP, thinking that a re-installation
>would overwrite the old one, and we could restore my system without losing my files
>currently on there. Instead of fixing the problem, this added to it. Now, the
new
>installation works PERFECTLY, without a flaw, however, the old installation is still
>on the computer, and the computer asks me which OS I want to use. The old installation
>still has my old files and folders, but it's still refuses to respond and just isn't
>going to give in. I want desperately to get it off my computer completely.
>
>Is there a way I can do this? Also, another question, when my friend was messing
>around with it, trying to format it, the Boot Drive switched to G:, my other slightly
>smaller drive I have in my computer. I need to make this go back to C:, and rid
>my computer of the older XP installation. Is this possible? We tried in DOS, we
>tried formatting it all different kinds of ways while XP was running, nothing happened.
> It just didn't work. We even tried formatting it from the system resources screen
>under Administrative Tools and it just wouldn't work. I don't care what it takes
>as far as my files are concerned, I just want to get rid of the other installation.
> How do I do this? Can I do this?
>
>I would like to keep this version on the computer, but if it takes getting rid of
>it to get rid of the other version, so be it. Please, if you can help me at all,
>respond to this post or e-mail me at jsutherland@s-mail.com . I would really apprieciate
>any help you could give me.
>
>To let you know a little more about the situation, here's a little more info. :::::
>
>This problem with the other operating system progressed, and got worse over time,
>so I assumed it was a virus, however, I swept it and it didn't show any virus findings.
> Also, I have a virus detector on the new installation and it doesn't show any viruses,
>wouldn't it show it if there was one on the other OS too?
>
>After all these problems started occuring (or maybe before, I didn't really pay
attention),
>my computer wouldn't connect to the internet. I have Road Runner, and I remember
>it would work for a few days after the problems started occuring, and then, if I
>was lucky enough for my computer to respond to me clicking on the Internet Explorer
>Icon, it would bring up a page indicating that it couldn't find a connection.
>
>Other than that, if you need to know anything else to help me fix this problem,
let
>me know. I really need to get this taken care of, and I thank you ahead of time
>for all your help.
[Reply or follow-up to this message]
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re: Two copies of WinXP - One Computer
Monday, February 3, 2003 at 11:37 pm
Posted by Anthony I Bejarano
(1683 messages posted)
You can delete the original Windows directory on the C: drive to recover the disk
space. It's possible to edit the boot.ini file on c:\ to eliminate the boot system
choice, but you run the risk of making both systems unbootable if you make an error
doing this. It's simpler to go to the Advanced Properties>Startup in the System
applet (in the Control Panel) and reduce the wait time from 30 seconds to 1. If
you want to try to restore the old system check my answer to a similar question a
few messages after yours. If you still want to reformat and start over you must
choose to delete the c: partition and reformat it in the options when booting the
XP CD and choosing a new install.
On Monday, February 3, 2003 at 7:58 pm, Jaime wrote:
>Here's the problem in a nutshell:
>
>For whatever reason, WinXP was acting really ate up, and over time, eventually got
>to where it was non-usuable. At first, it wasn't so bad, but you could significantly
>notice a decrease in speed. Soon, the toolbar that rests at the bottom of the screen
>wouldn't respond, and eventually, no icons on my desktop would respond at all.
Before
>it was unable to function, I ran a virus checker and swept the whole computer, so
>that apparently wasn't the problem.
>
>Anyway, I'm not that literate when it comes to Windows XP, and I asked a friend
of
>mine to come take a look at my computer. General troubleshooting-wise...he tried
>everything to fix it. Nothing would work. Eventually he decided that it would
be
>best to completely format the computer, which was no problem because I had all my
>important files backed up on CD-RW's anyway.
>
>He, like me, was pretty inexpierenced when it comes to Windows XP, and after a variety
>of methods trying to uninstall and format the damn thing, he gave up. He tried
it
>numerous times from the DOS-prompt and I think a few ways before the operating system
>even loaded. Nothing. It wouldn't work for whatever reasons.
>
>Anyway, he eventually tried to re-install WindowsXP, thinking that a re-installation
>would overwrite the old one, and we could restore my system without losing my files
>currently on there. Instead of fixing the problem, this added to it. Now, the
new
>installation works PERFECTLY, without a flaw, however, the old installation is still
>on the computer, and the computer asks me which OS I want to use. The old installation
>still has my old files and folders, but it's still refuses to respond and just isn't
>going to give in. I want desperately to get it off my computer completely.
>
>Is there a way I can do this? Also, another question, when my friend was messing
>around with it, trying to format it, the Boot Drive switched to G:, my other slightly
>smaller drive I have in my computer. I need to make this go back to C:, and rid
>my computer of the older XP installation. Is this possible? We tried in DOS, we
>tried formatting it all different kinds of ways while XP was running, nothing happened.
> It just didn't work. We even tried formatting it from the system resources screen
>under Administrative Tools and it just wouldn't work. I don't care what it takes
>as far as my files are concerned, I just want to get rid of the other installation.
> How do I do this? Can I do this?
>
>I would like to keep this version on the computer, but if it takes getting rid of
>it to get rid of the other version, so be it. Please, if you can help me at all,
>respond to this post or e-mail me at jsutherland@s-mail.com . I would really apprieciate
>any help you could give me.
>
>To let you know a little more about the situation, here's a little more info. :::::
>
>This problem with the other operating system progressed, and got worse over time,
>so I assumed it was a virus, however, I swept it and it didn't show any virus findings.
> Also, I have a virus detector on the new installation and it doesn't show any viruses,
>wouldn't it show it if there was one on the other OS too?
>
>After all these problems started occuring (or maybe before, I didn't really pay
attention),
>my computer wouldn't connect to the internet. I have Road Runner, and I remember
>it would work for a few days after the problems started occuring, and then, if I
>was lucky enough for my computer to respond to me clicking on the Internet Explorer
>Icon, it would bring up a page indicating that it couldn't find a connection.
>
>Other than that, if you need to know anything else to help me fix this problem,
let
>me know. I really need to get this taken care of, and I thank you ahead of time
>for all your help.
[Reply or follow-up to this message]
|
re: Two copies of WinXP - One Computer
Monday, February 3, 2003 at 11:48 pm
Posted by Anthony I Bejarano
(1683 messages posted)
The other message was titled "serious errors messages in Windows XP". Four after
yours.
On Monday, February 3, 2003 at 7:58 pm, Jaime wrote:
>Here's the problem in a nutshell:
>
>For whatever reason, WinXP was acting really ate up, and over time, eventually got
>to where it was non-usuable. At first, it wasn't so bad, but you could significantly
>notice a decrease in speed. Soon, the toolbar that rests at the bottom of the screen
>wouldn't respond, and eventually, no icons on my desktop would respond at all.
Before
>it was unable to function, I ran a virus checker and swept the whole computer, so
>that apparently wasn't the problem.
>
>Anyway, I'm not that literate when it comes to Windows XP, and I asked a friend
of
>mine to come take a look at my computer. General troubleshooting-wise...he tried
>everything to fix it. Nothing would work. Eventually he decided that it would
be
>best to completely format the computer, which was no problem because I had all my
>important files backed up on CD-RW's anyway.
>
>He, like me, was pretty inexpierenced when it comes to Windows XP, and after a variety
>of methods trying to uninstall and format the damn thing, he gave up. He tried
it
>numerous times from the DOS-prompt and I think a few ways before the operating system
>even loaded. Nothing. It wouldn't work for whatever reasons.
>
>Anyway, he eventually tried to re-install WindowsXP, thinking that a re-installation
>would overwrite the old one, and we could restore my system without losing my files
>currently on there. Instead of fixing the problem, this added to it. Now, the
new
>installation works PERFECTLY, without a flaw, however, the old installation is still
>on the computer, and the computer asks me which OS I want to use. The old installation
>still has my old files and folders, but it's still refuses to respond and just isn't
>going to give in. I want desperately to get it off my computer completely.
>
>Is there a way I can do this? Also, another question, when my friend was messing
>around with it, trying to format it, the Boot Drive switched to G:, my other slightly
>smaller drive I have in my computer. I need to make this go back to C:, and rid
>my computer of the older XP installation. Is this possible? We tried in DOS, we
>tried formatting it all different kinds of ways while XP was running, nothing happened.
> It just didn't work. We even tried formatting it from the system resources screen
>under Administrative Tools and it just wouldn't work. I don't care what it takes
>as far as my files are concerned, I just want to get rid of the other installation.
> How do I do this? Can I do this?
>
>I would like to keep this version on the computer, but if it takes getting rid of
>it to get rid of the other version, so be it. Please, if you can help me at all,
>respond to this post or e-mail me at jsutherland@s-mail.com . I would really apprieciate
>any help you could give me.
>
>To let you know a little more about the situation, here's a little more info. :::::
>
>This problem with the other operating system progressed, and got worse over time,
>so I assumed it was a virus, however, I swept it and it didn't show any virus findings.
> Also, I have a virus detector on the new installation and it doesn't show any viruses,
>wouldn't it show it if there was one on the other OS too?
>
>After all these problems started occuring (or maybe before, I didn't really pay
attention),
>my computer wouldn't connect to the internet. I have Road Runner, and I remember
>it would work for a few days after the problems started occuring, and then, if I
>was lucky enough for my computer to respond to me clicking on the Internet Explorer
>Icon, it would bring up a page indicating that it couldn't find a connection.
>
>Other than that, if you need to know anything else to help me fix this problem,
let
>me know. I really need to get this taken care of, and I thank you ahead of time
>for all your help.
[Reply or follow-up to this message]
|
re: Two copies of WinXP - One Computer
Tuesday, February 4, 2003 at 4:26 am
Posted by Derrell Simpson
(2 messages posted)
If you boot to the winXP cd, during the install process it will ask you if you want
to format the drives. Do this and it will completely remove the previous installation.
You can then choose which drive to install the new OS to. Hope this helps!
DS
On Monday, February 3, 2003 at 8:31 pm, Tom Swanson wrote:
>For your information and future sanity. Virus are not the only invasive force at
>work, there are numberous worms, trojans, hijackers, keylogers, spyware, ad infinitum.
>Install Spybot as well as a good AV. Both Norton and McAffee offer online virus
scans
>which are very thorough. Make contact with them now. It doesn't take long and may
>save what's left. Find Spybot on google or search this forum.
>
>If you have a Windows 98 or even ME, you would boot to your CD and Fdisk & re format
>your C: drive. You may want of repartition and start over with the entire disk
>depending on what kind of results come from purification activity.
>
>
[Reply or follow-up to this message]
|
Thanks guys!!! One more ?
Tuesday, February 4, 2003 at 11:31 am
Posted by Jaime
(2 messages posted)
Using your suggestions, I created a Windows98 bootdisk from bootdisk.com and made
sure it had format.exe, so that I would be able to format the computer. The DOS
prompt came up, and I was able to format it with no problems. Thank you very much.
Also, whever I formated it, the System drive switched back over to C:, eliminating
that problem as well.
I have one more question though...what are the drawbacks of formatting your hard
drive? Obviously you lose all your files, but does it harm your computer in anyway,
damage internal hardware or anything like that?
On Monday, February 3, 2003 at 7:58 pm, Jaime wrote:
>Here's the problem in a nutshell:
>
>For whatever reason, WinXP was acting really ate up, and over time, eventually got
>to where it was non-usuable. At first, it wasn't so bad, but you could significantly
>notice a decrease in speed. Soon, the toolbar that rests at the bottom of the screen
>wouldn't respond, and eventually, no icons on my desktop would respond at all.
Before
>it was unable to function, I ran a virus checker and swept the whole computer, so
>that apparently wasn't the problem.
>
>Anyway, I'm not that literate when it comes to Windows XP, and I asked a friend
of
>mine to come take a look at my computer. General troubleshooting-wise...he tried
>everything to fix it. Nothing would work. Eventually he decided that it would
be
>best to completely format the computer, which was no problem because I had all my
>important files backed up on CD-RW's anyway.
>
>He, like me, was pretty inexpierenced when it comes to Windows XP, and after a variety
>of methods trying to uninstall and format the damn thing, he gave up. He tried
it
>numerous times from the DOS-prompt and I think a few ways before the operating system
>even loaded. Nothing. It wouldn't work for whatever reasons.
>
>Anyway, he eventually tried to re-install WindowsXP, thinking that a re-installation
>would overwrite the old one, and we could restore my system without losing my files
>currently on there. Instead of fixing the problem, this added to it. Now, the
new
>installation works PERFECTLY, without a flaw, however, the old installation is still
>on the computer, and the computer asks me which OS I want to use. The old installation
>still has my old files and folders, but it's still refuses to respond and just isn't
>going to give in. I want desperately to get it off my computer completely.
>
>Is there a way I can do this? Also, another question, when my friend was messing
>around with it, trying to format it, the Boot Drive switched to G:, my other slightly
>smaller drive I have in my computer. I need to make this go back to C:, and rid
>my computer of the older XP installation. Is this possible? We tried in DOS, we
>tried formatting it all different kinds of ways while XP was running, nothing happened.
> It just didn't work. We even tried formatting it from the system resources screen
>under Administrative Tools and it just wouldn't work. I don't care what it takes
>as far as my files are concerned, I just want to get rid of the other installation.
> How do I do this? Can I do this?
>
>I would like to keep this version on the computer, but if it takes getting rid of
>it to get rid of the other version, so be it. Please, if you can help me at all,
>respond to this post or e-mail me at jsutherland@s-mail.com . I would really apprieciate
>any help you could give me.
>
>To let you know a little more about the situation, here's a little more info. :::::
>
>This problem with the other operating system progressed, and got worse over time,
>so I assumed it was a virus, however, I swept it and it didn't show any virus findings.
> Also, I have a virus detector on the new installation and it doesn't show any viruses,
>wouldn't it show it if there was one on the other OS too?
>
>After all these problems started occuring (or maybe before, I didn't really pay
attention),
>my computer wouldn't connect to the internet. I have Road Runner, and I remember
>it would work for a few days after the problems started occuring, and then, if I
>was lucky enough for my computer to respond to me clicking on the Internet Explorer
>Icon, it would bring up a page indicating that it couldn't find a connection.
>
>Other than that, if you need to know anything else to help me fix this problem,
let
>me know. I really need to get this taken care of, and I thank you ahead of time
>for all your help.
[Reply or follow-up to this message]
|
re: Thanks guys!!! One more ?
Tuesday, February 4, 2003 at 1:59 pm
Posted by Ricer46
(22013 messages posted)
Other than losing all existing data, there is no harm done in formatting a hard drive.
It is just writing to the drive, which is normal operation.
On Tuesday, February 4, 2003 at 11:31 am, Jaime wrote:
>Using your suggestions, I created a Windows98 bootdisk from bootdisk.com and made
>sure it had format.exe, so that I would be able to format the computer. The DOS
>prompt came up, and I was able to format it with no problems. Thank you very much.
> Also, whever I formated it, the System drive switched back over to C:, eliminating
>that problem as well.
>
>I have one more question though...what are the drawbacks of formatting your hard
>drive? Obviously you lose all your files, but does it harm your computer in anyway,
>damage internal hardware or anything like that?
>
[Reply or follow-up to this message]
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