2 Windows XPS Installed

Hi , I re-installed windows XP after getting loads of blue screens and errors. Ivenever done it before but i seem to have to xps installed. When the laptop boots theres two xp options to boot and my hardrive which is only small is nearly full!

Im unsure of what to do , I really need to free up space so some help would be good

Cheers

 

You have installed windows xp into a new partition. You now need to delete the old partition to free up some space.

This free tool will do the job but be carefull that you don't delete the wrong partition.

http://gparted.sourceforge.net/

Screen freezes can be caused by various different problems so your actions of re-installing may not have corrected the problem.

Let us know if the problem persists, if all is well please mark the post as resolved in the drop down box from 'Thread Tools' in the bar just above the first post.

 

fitzi74

Although markmadras may well be correct I'm more inclined to beleive that you've installed a second installation on the same partition as the original.

Hopefully I'm not too late but you shouldn't really be messing around with partitioning tools unless you are very sure of what you're doing.

Let's try some safer methods first. Please copy the code below and paste it into notepad

Code:

attrib -s -h \boot.ini
copy \boot.ini mybootini.txt
attrib +s +h \boot.ini
start mybootini.txt

Save this file on your desktop as getboot.cmd.

Doubleclick on getboot.cmd and a new file (mybootini.txt) will be created on your desktop and opened in notepad.

Please post the contents of this file in your next reply.

Once done we'll know what's happened. PS you can safely delete getboot.cmd and mybootini.txt from your desktop.

 

Thanks for the quick replys! Luckily i havnt done anything yet. The reinstallation has fixed my freezing problems, if i tried to install the new itunes it would freeze but now it doesnt... anyway here you go

[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 Home Edition" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect /noexecute=optout
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS= "Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptOut
C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT= "Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons

 

Hi fitzi

Apologies for the delay. Are you comfortable using disk manager?

I'm inclined to suggest a wipe and reinstall if this is a fresh installation but before I do I'd like to know what your current setup is (ie No of drives/partitions, data you'd like to keep, what media you used to do the reinstall etc)

Simply put,

1) Do you have a CD/DVD of XP or did you use a recovery partition on the drive?
2) Would wiping your system cause any serious problems or do you have your data/software backed up?

Whilst we're at it could you please complete your system details in case you require assistance with drivers etc.

If this is your main system it would be helpful if you add your system details to your profile. Please click on the link and follow those instructions it could save some time when resolving this or further issues.

A common error is to forget to show your system details in your profile

If you do add your system specifications be sure to do the above

 

I might be able to use disk manager yes depends how complicated it gets!

No it was saved on my hardrive not sure its still there after wiping? My CD/DVD/ doesnt work by the way.

I dont know would it ha ? I can get my data backed up on my housemates TB hardrive no worries!

Completed to best of my knowledge.

cheers

 

OK, Once again I'm sorry for the delay (having computer issues here myself)

Ignore your external drive for the moment (actually perhaps best disconnecting if you have important data).

My main concern is you may have overwritten your recovery partition, in disk manager can you describe the two? (hopefully more) partitions on your 42.5? GB drive.

Size/free space/assigned letters etc.

 

Heres a screenshot for you

 

Anything?

 

OK, looks like widfire is still having trouble. My first post was incorrect, having looked at the screenshot you have got 2 windows XP's installed on the same partition, not ideal.

I assume you have backed up all the important stuff so the best solution IMO is to go for a format and a clean installation of XP. All the instructions are in this guide which goes right back to basics.


http://lifehacker.com/157578/geek-t...ard-drive-and-install-windows-xp-from-scratch

Let us know how you get on.

 

I've just been back to this thread and realised you have no working cd drive.(I should have read that earlier).

That complicates things a little but as long as you have access to a desktop computer and can buy the appropriate hard drive adapter these instructions will get you out of your predicament.

http://www.techtroupe.com/os/windows-xp/how-to-install-windows-xp-on-a-laptop-with-no-cd-drive/

 

That looks quite complicated .. but is it possible if i bought a bigger external hardrive to install programs on my laptop but using the space of the external hardrive ?

 

Thanks Mark, Yes I was more or less offline. Hopefully situation resolved now.

fitzi, I know it's been a couple of weeks but I would strongly urge you to obtain recovery discs (from PB or follow link for Acer) and an external usb DVD drive.

We need to make sure we can get your system up and running from a factory restore before dealing with the mess you currently have.