During a recent trouble shooting incident in which I ended up with two valid
and working versions of Windows XP on a Dell Workstation on two different
Partitions (C and D). I now need to remove the OS on the partition second
partition (D). I have read several posts about editing the OS selection
screen during startup but I want to actually remove the OS install without
adversely affecting the install on the C drive or sending the system into a
death spiral.
Nepatsfan - 28 Nov 2006 19:41 GMT
0FDC5295-776D-40DC-8F63-21AAA7C79222@microsoft.com,
> During a recent trouble shooting incident in which I ended
> up with two valid and working versions of Windows XP on a
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> install on the C drive or sending the system into a death
> spiral.
The simplest solution is to do the following:
Boot into the XP installation on your C drive.
Backup your Boot.ini file just in case something goes wrong.
Next, open My Computer and right click on your D drive.
Select Format from the menu.
You can select Quick Format if you want.
Note: Formatting will erase all the files on this drive. If
there are any files and/or folders you wish to retain make sure
you back them up to a reliable location first.
Once you've formatted the D drive go to Start -> Run and enter
msconfig in the Open box.
Click OK.
In the System Configuration Utility, click on the BOOT.INI tab.
On the BOOT.INI tab, hit the "Check All Boot Paths" button.
You should see a message asking if you want to remove an
incorrect path.
Answer yes.
That should remove the reference to D.
FYI, your Boot.ini file should end up looking similar to this,
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows
XP Professional Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
Note: Substitute Home for Professional if that applies to your
system.
Good luck
Nepatsfan
Andrew E. - 28 Nov 2006 20:59 GMT
Boot to xp cd,recovery,press 1 For C: Press enter for password,type:DiskPart
In DiskPart,delete the partition (D:),create one if desired,press ESC
key,type:
FORMAT D: /FS:NTFS Recovery will format & you can use for storage,or type:
EXIT
> During a recent trouble shooting incident in which I ended up with two valid
> and working versions of Windows XP on a Dell Workstation on two different
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> adversely affecting the install on the C drive or sending the system into a
> death spiral.
Ayush - 30 Nov 2006 15:02 GMT
Replied to [Andrew E.]s message :
-----------------------------------------------------------
> Boot to xp cd,recovery,press 1 For C: Press enter for password,type:DiskPart
> In DiskPart,delete the partition (D:),create one if desired,press ESC
> key,type:
> FORMAT D: /FS:NTFS Recovery will format & you can use for storage,or type:
> EXIT
There is no need to do this.

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Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]
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Ayush - 30 Nov 2006 15:00 GMT
Replied to [Chris McClain]s message :
-----------------------------------------------------------
> During a recent trouble shooting incident in which I ended up with two valid
> and working versions of Windows XP on a Dell Workstation on two different
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> adversely affecting the install on the C drive or sending the system into a
> death spiral.
1. Boot in "C:\"
2. Format D
Choosing between NTFS and Fat32:
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/c
hoosing_between_ntfs_fat_and_fat32.mspx?mfr=true
http://www.theeldergeek.com/ntfs_or_fat32_file_system.htm
3. Click Start > Run > Msconfig
Boot.ini tab > Click "Check all boot paths" button
Follow the steps to delete the invalid entry
Click Apply
Click "Check all boot paths" (Yeah, once again )
It should say:
"It appears that all BOOT.INI lines for Microsoft operating systems are OK"
Click OK > No need to restart now.

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Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]
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