deleting and Partitioning winXP

[Kasper Madsen]

Hi NG
I have a problem. Ive just bougt a computer, with WinXP already installed. I
would like to partition my harddrive, but it doesnt work. Ive tried to
install Winxp again but it wont let me partition the harddrive when i do,
and it wont overwrite, it just asks me if i want to intsall one more OS, and
says that it might cause some errors.
And this brings me to the next problem: Everytime i turns on the computer it
asks me if i want to install xp og go to Windows XP Home Edition. The cd is
not in the cd-drive. How do i delete windows and start over, or is there a
better solution?
Mvh Kasper Madsen

[Brucey]

On the garbage pile, "Kasper Madsen" > posted on
Thu, 3 Jul 2003 11:22:00 +0200, threw the following:

|>Hi NG
|>I have a problem. Ive just bougt a computer, with WinXP already installed. I
|>would like to partition my harddrive, but it doesnt work. Ive tried to
|>install Winxp again but it wont let me partition the harddrive when i do,
|>and it wont overwrite, it just asks me if i want to intsall one more OS, and
|>says that it might cause some errors.
|>And this brings me to the next problem: Everytime i turns on the computer it
|>asks me if i want to install xp og go to Windows XP Home Edition. The cd is
|>not in the cd-drive. How do i delete windows and start over, or is there a
|>better solution?
|>Mvh Kasper Madsen
|>

IF POSSIBLE make a system boot disk (a WIN 98 one) and in ur BIOS set it to
boot from Floppy.

When u do that, start ur PC WITH CD Support. Once it does it's bits and
pieces and takes u to the command prompt, type in format c:

Once that is done, type in fdisk and partition it from that. :o)

hth.

--
B®u©ey
homepage is:- www.bruceyweb.co.uk
fave tune: Sean Paul - Gimme the light
fave quote: "I was going to Copyright moo but the cows beat me to it!"

[Kasper Madsen]

Hi Bruce
I cant get into the bios. Im pressing esc when im starting up the system,
but it does not help? Now ive tried to install winxp again from the cd, but
now i just have to choose what name i want to log in with. I mean what user.
I really wish i knew how to delete everything and start over.
"Brucey" > skrev i en meddelelse
...
> On the garbage pile, "Kasper Madsen" > posted on
> Thu, 3 Jul 2003 11:22:00 +0200, threw the following:
>
> |>Hi NG
> |>I have a problem. Ive just bougt a computer, with WinXP already
installed. I
> |>would like to partition my harddrive, but it doesnt work. Ive tried to
> |>install Winxp again but it wont let me partition the harddrive when i
do,
> |>and it wont overwrite, it just asks me if i want to intsall one more OS,
and
> |>says that it might cause some errors.
> |>And this brings me to the next problem: Everytime i turns on the
computer it
> |>asks me if i want to install xp og go to Windows XP Home Edition. The cd
is
> |>not in the cd-drive. How do i delete windows and start over, or is there
a
> |>better solution?
> |>Mvh Kasper Madsen
> |>
>
> IF POSSIBLE make a system boot disk (a WIN 98 one) and in ur BIOS set it
to
> boot from Floppy.
>
> When u do that, start ur PC WITH CD Support. Once it does it's bits and
> pieces and takes u to the command prompt, type in format c:
>
> Once that is done, type in fdisk and partition it from that. :o)
>
> hth.
>
> --
> B®u©ey
> homepage is:- www.bruceyweb.co.uk
> fave tune: Sean Paul - Gimme the light
> fave quote: "I was going to Copyright moo but the cows beat me to it!"

[Brucey]

On the garbage pile, "Kasper Madsen" > posted on
Thu, 3 Jul 2003 11:17:58 +0200, threw the following:

|>> |>Hi NG
|>> |>I have a problem. Ive just bougt a computer, with WinXP already
|>installed. I
|>> |>would like to partition my harddrive, but it doesnt work. Ive tried to
|>> |>install Winxp again but it wont let me partition the harddrive when i
|>do,
|>> |>and it wont overwrite, it just asks me if i want to intsall one more OS,
|>and
|>> |>says that it might cause some errors.
|>> |>And this brings me to the next problem: Everytime i turns on the
|>computer it
|>> |>asks me if i want to install xp og go to Windows XP Home Edition. The cd
|>is
|>> |>not in the cd-drive. How do i delete windows and start over, or is there
|>a
|>> |>better solution?
|>> |>Mvh Kasper Madsen
|>> |>
|>>
|>> IF POSSIBLE make a system boot disk (a WIN 98 one) and in ur BIOS set it
|>to
|>> boot from Floppy.
|>>
|>> When u do that, start ur PC WITH CD Support. Once it does it's bits and
|>> pieces and takes u to the command prompt, type in format c:
|>>
|>> Once that is done, type in fdisk and partition it from that. :o)
|>>
|>> hth.
|>>
|>Hi Bruce
|>I cant get into the bios. Im pressing esc when im starting up the system,
|>but it does not help? Now ive tried to install winxp again from the cd, but
|>now i just have to choose what name i want to log in with. I mean what user.
|>I really wish i knew how to delete everything and start over.
|>

I think F8 or F6 when booting up allows u to get to dos prompt. But not
100% sure on that.

--
B®u©ey
homepage is:- www.bruceyweb.co.uk
fave tune: Sean Paul - Gimme the light
fave quote: "I was going to Copyright moo but the cows beat me to it!"

[Donald McDaniel]

Brucey wrote:
> On the garbage pile, "Kasper Madsen" > posted
> on
> Thu, 3 Jul 2003 11:22:00 +0200, threw the following:
>
>>> Hi NG
>>> I have a problem. Ive just bougt a computer, with WinXP already
>>> installed. I would like to partition my harddrive, but it doesnt
>>> work. Ive tried to install Winxp again but it wont let me partition
>>> the harddrive when i do, and it wont overwrite, it just asks me if
>>> i want to intsall one more OS, and says that it might cause some
>>> errors.
>>> And this brings me to the next problem: Everytime i turns on the
>>> computer it asks me if i want to install xp og go to Windows XP
>>> Home Edition. The cd is not in the cd-drive. How do i delete
>>> windows and start over, or is there a better solution?
>>> Mvh Kasper Madsen
>>>
>
> IF POSSIBLE make a system boot disk (a WIN 98 one) and in ur BIOS set
> it to boot from Floppy.
>
> When u do that, start ur PC WITH CD Support. Once it does it's bits
> and pieces and takes u to the command prompt, type in format c:
>
> Once that is done, type in fdisk and partition it from that. :o)
>
> hth.

Kasper, do NOT listen to this joker. If you want to install XP via DOS, the
PROPER procedure is
1) use fdisk to delete all NTFS partitions
2) use fdisk to create a NEW partition of at least 8 gig, on which XP will
be installed.
3) format that new partition
4) install XP on the newly created and formatted partition by logging on to
the install CD, then changing directories to \i386, then entering the
command "winnt" at the command prompt, followed by <ENTER>.

Remember, fdisk, THEN format, not the other way around

However, Microsoft has designed the installation CD in such a way that you
can boot with the install CD and do partition operations from within the
install CD, bypassing DOS completely(XP has no DOS layer). So the
MICROSOFT-supported method for installing XP is either through the 6-floppy
setup disks, or booting directly from the CD. To boot from the CD, enter
your BIOS setup program, then find the Boot options, and set the CD-drive to
be the FIRST boot device, then save and exit, then put the install cd in the
drive and turn the machine on. There will be a message to hit a key to boot
from the CD. Once in the setup program, you will be provided with methods
to first create, then format paritions.


--
Donald L McDaniel
Post All replies to the Newsgroup, so that all may be informed
================================================== =================

[relic]

As predicted, Donald McDaniel typed:
>
> Kasper, do NOT listen to this joker. If you want to install XP via
> DOS, the PROPER procedure is
> 1) use fdisk to delete all NTFS partitions

Of course, you're aware that it won't work with NTFS formatted logical drives
in an extended partition.

You want another try at the "PROPER" procedure? ...one that will work for all
variations.

--
- relic -
Resident Psychic: alt.os.windows-xp
If you think there is good in everybody, you haven't met everybody.

[Alex Nichol]

Kasper Madsen wrote:

>I have a problem. Ive just bougt a computer, with WinXP already =
installed. I
>would like to partition my harddrive, but it doesnt work. Ive tried to
>install Winxp again but it wont let me partition the harddrive when i =
do,
>and it wont overwrite, it just asks me if i want to intsall one more OS,=
and
>says that it might cause some errors.
>And this brings me to the next problem: Everytime i turns on the =
computer it
>asks me if i want to install xp og go to Windows XP Home Edition. The cd=
is
>not in the cd-drive.

The second point first - you started a second installation, and left it
incomplete. If you edit the hidden c:\Boot.ini file (Use the edit
button at System - Advanced after clicking Settings in Startup and Error
recovery) you should be able to delete the line referring to this,
though you will have some un-needed files hanging around

To partition the drive either you start from scratch, doing a completely
new install, cleaning off the hard disk (in Setup when New install asks
where, hit ESC and delete the current partition, to make a new one of
appropriate size) or use third party software. I would use is BootIT
NG, from http://www.BootitNG.com ($30 shareware - 30 day full functional
trial)

Download, to its own folder, extract from the zip, run the bootitng to
make a boot floppy.

Boot the floppy, Cancel Install, entering maintenance, then click on
Partition work. Highlight your present single partition and click
Resize

You can then make a second partition either there or after rebooting, at
Control Panel - Admin Tools - Computer Management, select Disk
Management and look lower right for the graphic of the drive. R-clci in
the free space and Create partition


--=20
Alex Nichol MS MVP (Windows Technologies)
Bournemouth, U.K.

[Donald McDaniel]

relic wrote:
> As predicted, Donald McDaniel typed:
>>
>> Kasper, do NOT listen to this joker. If you want to install XP via
>> DOS, the PROPER procedure is
>> 1) use fdisk to delete all NTFS partitions
>
> Of course, you're aware that it won't work with NTFS formatted
> logical drives in an extended partition.
>
> You want another try at the "PROPER" procedure? ...one that will
> work for all variations.

Well, relic, the poster wanted to install via DOS. I assumed he wanted to
format his partition as FAT or FAT32, since DOS cant create NTFS volumes.
Therefore, I gave him instructions for installing XP via DOS. And I gave
him proper instructions. Fdisk first, THEN format, not the other way
around. If YOU want to give him instructions for installing via the XP
Boot disks, or via the CD itself, go right ahead. I won't mind.

One thing I learned while taking Programming classes was that usually, the
same thing can usually be accomplished several ways, none of which are the
"ONLY" way.

--
Donald L McDaniel
Post All replies to the Newsgroup, so that all may be informed
================================================== =================

[Donald McDaniel]

relic wrote:
> As predicted, Donald McDaniel typed:
>>
>> Kasper, do NOT listen to this joker. If you want to install XP via
>> DOS, the PROPER procedure is
>> 1) use fdisk to delete all NTFS partitions
>
> Of course, you're aware that it won't work with NTFS formatted
> logical drives in an extended partition.
>
> You want another try at the "PROPER" procedure? ...one that will
> work for all variations.

By the way, I was correcting the yoyo named Brucey

--
Donald L McDaniel
Post All replies to the Newsgroup, so that all may be informed
================================================== =================

[relic]

As predicted, Donald McDaniel typed:
> relic wrote:
>> As predicted, Donald McDaniel typed:
>>>
>>> Kasper, do NOT listen to this joker. If you want to install XP via
>>> DOS, the PROPER procedure is
>>> 1) use fdisk to delete all NTFS partitions
>>
>> Of course, you're aware that it won't work with NTFS formatted
>> logical drives in an extended partition.
>>
>> You want another try at the "PROPER" procedure? ...one that will
>> work for all variations.
>
> Well, relic, the poster wanted to install via DOS. I assumed he
> wanted to format his partition as FAT or FAT32, since DOS cant create
> NTFS volumes. Therefore, I gave him instructions for installing XP
> via DOS. And I gave him proper instructions. Fdisk first, THEN
> format, not the other way around. If YOU want to give him
> instructions for installing via the XP Boot disks, or via the CD
> itself, go right ahead. I won't mind.
>
> One thing I learned while taking Programming classes was that
> usually, the same thing can usually be accomplished several ways,
> none of which are the "ONLY" way.

Fdisk may not be able to do the job if the drive has been set up with a
Primary and an Extended partition with Logical Drives in it and one of those
Logical Drives was formatted as NTFS. Fdisk can't remove the Logical Drive
since it can't see an NTFS formatted drive, therefore, fdisk can't delete the
Extended (non-DOS) partition.

There's two ways that work in any configuration. The best way to deal with it
is to boot on a Windows 2000 or Windows XP CD and follow the prompts for doing
an installation. When you are asked to select which drive you want to install
on, you will get an option to Delete/Create Partitions and to Format
Drives/Partitions. Delete the partitions and hit F3 to abort. Alternatively,
take the very first Repair Option (Recovery Console) and use the Diskpart
command.

Now you can set it up with the obsolete Fdisk command.

And, I was only pointing out that your "Proper" method also had a flaw since
you were quick to condemn another who, like yourself, simply "left something
out."

--
- relic -
Resident Psychic: alt.os.windows-xp
If you think there is good in everybody, you haven't met everybody.

[Kasper Madsen]

Thanks, everyone.
I got it working
Mvh Kasper

[Donald McDaniel]

relic wrote:
> As predicted, Donald McDaniel typed:
>> relic wrote:
>>> As predicted, Donald McDaniel typed:
>>>>
>>>> Kasper, do NOT listen to this joker. If you want to install XP via
>>>> DOS, the PROPER procedure is
>>>> 1) use fdisk to delete all NTFS partitions
>>>
>>> Of course, you're aware that it won't work with NTFS formatted
>>> logical drives in an extended partition.
>>>
>>> You want another try at the "PROPER" procedure? ...one that will
>>> work for all variations.
>>
>> Well, relic, the poster wanted to install via DOS. I assumed he
>> wanted to format his partition as FAT or FAT32, since DOS cant create
>> NTFS volumes. Therefore, I gave him instructions for installing XP
>> via DOS. And I gave him proper instructions. Fdisk first, THEN
>> format, not the other way around. If YOU want to give him
>> instructions for installing via the XP Boot disks, or via the CD
>> itself, go right ahead. I won't mind.
>>
>> One thing I learned while taking Programming classes was that
>> usually, the same thing can usually be accomplished several ways,
>> none of which are the "ONLY" way.
>
> Fdisk may not be able to do the job if the drive has been set up with
> a Primary and an Extended partition with Logical Drives in it and one
> of those Logical Drives was formatted as NTFS. Fdisk can't remove
> the Logical Drive since it can't see an NTFS formatted drive,
> therefore, fdisk can't delete the Extended (non-DOS) partition.
>
> There's two ways that work in any configuration. The best way to
> deal with it is to boot on a Windows 2000 or Windows XP CD and follow
> the prompts for doing an installation. When you are asked to select
> which drive you want to install on, you will get an option to
> Delete/Create Partitions and to Format Drives/Partitions. Delete the
> partitions and hit F3 to abort. Alternatively, take the very first
> Repair Option (Recovery Console) and use the Diskpart command.
>
> Now you can set it up with the obsolete Fdisk command.
>
> And, I was only pointing out that your "Proper" method also had a
> flaw since you were quick to condemn another who, like yourself,
> simply "left something out."

Just as long as you do the partitioning operations before you do the
formatting. That's pretty much what I was trying to get across. I'm sorry
you didnt like my words. Well, that's life..

--
Donald L McDaniel
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