Weird! "Drive C:" inside of boot partition, "C:\"

Leonardo

Yeah, really. In the C:\ partition, the Windows XP boot drive/partition, I've got a "Drive (C)" folder, with many duplicate files and folders as boot partition itself? Here's what happened: I was futzing around with hardware inside the case after having turned the computer off, but had forgotten to turn off the power. I guess there was a short and it damaged the Windows installation beyond repair (tried both Windows repair installation and Thrax's famous Eight Command fix). Well, having a fresh backup on hand, I installed the drive in another computer and restored it from the backup using Acronis. I won't distract you with the settings mistake path I took.

Windows operates perfect, insofar as I can tell. I would though, like to clean up the drive and get rid of the redundant files and also move any active files, should there be any, into the C:/ drive itself. I tried just deleting. Some files will delete, many others are protected as if they are part of the active operating system.

What can I do? Screenshot is attached.

Tex

It sounds like some of the files are still being used Leo. Just for fun use registry crawler or something and serach in your registry for entries that come from that directory

Leonardo

Thanks for the advice. I installed Registry Editor, opened it...and have no idea how to use it. I can do registry edits if there step by step instructions - but freestyle? I'm not proficient. For instance, to search for a "word." There are many thousands of words in the registry - not quite sure if that would mean anything to me. I'll read the contents in the help file so more. Maybe a enlightenment will happen.

Tex

Just search for the name of that weird second directory Leo. Leave off the drive letter and use just the directory name. It seems like stuff may still be running off it since you can't delete it. If you were sure it was not being used in the registry somehow with old crap running off it I can probably tell ya how to delete it then as its just got screwed up permissions.

Cowboy

Leonardo

OK, I'll get back with some data shortly.

Thrax

I believe it's just a shortcut or mount point. Burn it or back it up for good measure, then delete it.

Tex

But his problem is he can't delete it. Thats the problem Thrax. He tried and keeps getting errors. So the files are in use or the permissions are mucked up don't ya think?

Cowboy

Leonardo

Alright, the name of the weird directory is "Drive(C)"

I performed three searches of the default keys (HKEY_UERS and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE) opened by Registry Crawler:

1) search for "(C)". Found only 46 instances, all of which were "(c)" as in copyright symbol, or had something to do with Real Networks (which I consider weeds anyway)

2) search for "Drive". brought 17000 entires almost entirely consisting of the words "drivers", or "driver" or "floppy drive", or the CD/DVD "drive"; There were about 100 or entries for "drive" - best I could make out they were hardware parameters, not partition descriptions.

3) search for "Drive(C)" (exactly as appears in Windows Explorer) brought up zero entries.


You know, there is a risk free way we could experiment with this, Tex. I could make a clone of the effected drive and just run off of it. We could do whatever we want without worrying about it. Let me know. I'm game.

Tex

ok

Leonardo

Alright, let me make that clone, install it, and I'll get back with you. Are you able take phone calls today?

Tex

LOL! Yeah sort of. I am watching the Cowboy games at a friends at the lake.

But if you get the sucker backed up Leo its easy to delete it. Or at least so easy it will not help much with a phone call from Alaska. But sure... you know I will be there if you need me man.

Cowboy

Leonardo

I am watching the Cowboy games at a friends at the lake.

I wouldn't want to disturb your basketball game.

Just starting the cloning in about five minutes + wife is calling me to lunch. It'll be about an hour. OK?

Tex

Basketball game? Ok that was cruel Leo!

Tex

Leonardo

Random - I don't keep up with football at all. I have no idea whether the Cowboys are doing well or not.

Tex

I only meant saying it was basketball....

Leonardo

OK, but I really think the Cowboys are the bestest evar!

OK, ready to proceed. I'm operating on the clone right now.

Leonardo

I'm watching the thread on another computer right next to the cloned machine, so there won't be break in commo...unless Mother Nature calls or the Cowboys lose and you kick your computer in frustration...

Leonardo

Tex and I got it taken care of. Apparently none of the files were being accessed for anything. It was just a matter of setting permissions in the Security properties, then I was able to delete all the files except one, a Macromedia Flash file, "Flash9.ocx."