Windows Problem

c18kay

Hi there, not sure if this is where I should be posting this thread to.

The problem I have is that I recently formatted my computer, which I have done many times before without any problems, however on this occasion I was installing Windows XP instead of the Windows 98 that was previously on it.

After formatting it and installing Windows XP it has now split my hard drive into two, one large and one small. The large one has the recently installed Windows XP on it and the smaller drive has the previously installed windows 98. Every time I start my PC it gives me the option to select which version I want to use and it is now VERY slow to use.

Does anyone know how to make the computer think that it is one drive again?

Thank you very much in advance as this is really starting to get to me :help:

Christopher

HalOfBorg

Redo the installation, and in the early part of it, when it asks you WHERE you want to install XP to - use the options listed to delete BOTH partitions. Then reinstall XP - and use the entire UNPARTITIONED SPACE.

If it asks if you want to REPAIR the installation - OR use the RECOVERY CONSOLE - ANSWER NO.

I mention those because I do not remember the EXACT order XP Install gets to these options.

kryyst

Hal speaks the truth.

You could also format the win98 partition edit your systemboot order so that it's not looking for win98 and then use something like partition magic to reclaim the partition. However I'm guessing your win98 partition is the primary partiton on the drive. Plus since you just installed XP you are better off to do what Hal said, format and start over.

c18kay

Thanks for the speedy reply guys I really do appreciate it.

I'm not too sure how to format using Windows XP as I have always done it when Windows 98 was previously installed. I have tried using a Windows 98 start up disk but that still doesn't let me.

Sorry to be a pain but could yoou give me a bit of details on how to do this or maybe a link that could help.

Thanks and sorry again

Christopher

kryyst

Reboot with the windows xp cd in the drive. It'll start to boot from the cd. If you'll have to check your bios settings to make sure that boot from cd is the first in the list before boot from hard drive.

So it'll boot from the windows xp cd and start the install. It will detect that you already have an OS installed on your computer and ask if you want to repair it. Hit now and move on to continue installation.

Then it will come up and show the partitions on your hard drive (c and d drive) delete both the partitions using the screen prompts and make a new partition, format it ntfs and you are good to go.

It will (I forget exactly when) it will again detect that you have XP installed on your system and ask if you want to repair it. Just tell it 'no' and to continue on with the installation.

That's really all there is to it reboot with the cd ignore to the repair prompts delete the partitions and install it.

c18kay

Thank you lads for the great help. The partitions have been deleted and drive formatted and Windows XP is currently being installed as I type this message.

Thanks again

Christopher

GnomeWizardd

yea that would def do the trick BUT of course i do have a 60 gig ive got from a HP machine that I even did a low level format after partitioning the drive 4 diff times and still get dual boot for xp and get this Whistler!

kryyst

GnomeWizardd wrote:

yea that would def do the trick BUT of course i do have a 60 gig ive got from a HP machine that I even did a low level format after partitioning the drive 4 diff times and still get dual boot for xp and get this Whistler!

Is there a second partition on the driver or is it just a boot loader? If it's a bootloader (which is my guess) reboot with a win98se cd or a boot floppy that has fdisk on it and just do an fdisk /mbr that should get rid of it. If it's a boot loader that is.