Removing Corrupt OS after Re-Format

Question

A few weeks back, I was forced to format.  Thankfully, I'd recently installed a new slave HD and all my personal files are stored there, while the OS runs on the original HD.  Anyway, I re-formatted and re-installed Windows XP.  However, the first time I started it up it asked me to choose between two copies of Windows XP... I chose one, it wouldn't work, so chose the other which was the new one.  The other obviously being the corrupted one, which is why I'd formatted in the first place.  I thought I'd properly removed that old, corrupt OS, but apparently not.  Anywho, it offered me the option to edit some text file containing a command string to avoid getting the option of which OS to choose, and I did so.   In recent weeks though, I've begun to notice continued system problems.  Random freezing of various things, default errors shutting said programs down, what not.  So I finally realized that some partion or some such must still contain the old, or part of the old, corrupt OS.  My question is: how do I locate/confirm such a thing and more important, how do I remove it and secure this OS?   Oh and... is there anyway to save desktop themes to other HDs?  A slave, in this case?  I like my set colors, fonts, what not, and I'd like to save it from my OS drive to my Slave incase of future re-formats or what not.   Thanks!

oldtraveler · Answer

I believe I would get an image cloning system such as Norton Ghost, Acronis True Image, or BootIt NG. This will allow you to create exact images of your OS drive as often as you choose and thus enable you to restore to exactly that same condition in a matter of minutes complete with all installed programs, drivers etc.

Now if you insert your XP Installation disk and select "Format" and then new installation of XP (not repair) you should be able to get a new, clean XP OS without your problems. Now create an image using one of the above. New you will always be able to easily get a new, clean OS.

WilsonFrontier · Answer

I have a clean copy right now, but I also have a partial corrupt copy that didn't delete fully.  I'm just trying to get rid of that.  Though those programs do sound ideal for the future.

oldtraveler · Answer

If your corrupt OS is on a separate partition, you should be able to go to My Computer, highlight that partition, right click and select 'format'.

WilsonFrontier · Answer

Hmm.  I can't seem to locate it.  It might be on the same partition.  I'm not sure.

oldtraveler · Answer

If you know the name of any of the files on the corrupt system, you should be able to locate where it is by doing a search.

TomXPS · Answer

To fix you problem is simple. Not sure why it does not get removed when you re-format, but have had similar problem.

Open Control Panel->Double Click System->Select Advance Tab->Select Startup and Recover setting button->Click the Edit button.

Should be able to edit the file with the OS startup options. Just remove the one that is not working.

WilsonFrontier · Answer

[boot loader]timeout=30default=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' /fastdetect   Is what I found.   I had editted this previously.  But it has been acting as if it's still there, hence all the bugs.  I've done scans for adware, spyware, viruses, it's none of those.

Windows General

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