Delete Partitions During XP Clean Install

Question

I'm trying to do a clean install of XP on my Dimension.  On the Windows XP Home Edition Setup page listing the partitions, it will not allow me to delete c: Partition 1.  The error message reads 'This partition contains temporary Setup files that are required to complete the installation.'  I would like the drive to have just one partition on it, there are currently four spaces with two partitions.  I unwittingly deleted the recovery partition on the first go around.  Thanks.

mombodog · Answer

Use this utiltiy to remove all partitions, boot from the cd you make, let the nuke program run for about 5 minutes, remove the cd from the drive, put in the XP cd, then power down the PC (Hold the power button in until it shuts down) , restart and start the installation.   http://dban.sourceforge.net/  download from the cd/dvd media

lmodestow · Answer

Thanks, I was able to solve the problem by simply booting from the CD.  Prior to that I had been inserting the CD and it auto ran, so I proceeded from there.  So far, so good.  I seem to be having difficulting with restoring my files, but that's another thread!

jmwills · Answer

Trouble restoring files?  You just deleted them all when you deleted the partition.

Windows General

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