Hi,

This will be very difficult to do as you might end up deleting all the boot up files and be unable to boot at all.

I think your best option is to use your CD to reinstall XP and format the drive during this process.

Make sure to use the option to reformat "C" or you will end up with another copy.

Remember to back up everything you don`t want to lose from "C" first

I labeled it C under my C: drive. (i.e. C:C/windows/....) so its like a complete OS (executable upon startup) thats taking up 2 gbs of my HD.

MettleH3d,

You should be able to remove the one you don't want. First, remove it from boot.ini using "bootcfg", as described in this Microsoft article. Then, after you're sure everything's OK, you can delete the directory containing the "extra" copy that's no longer referenced in boot.ini.

Jim

I should warn you that doing these steps are very dangerous to your system if you don't back up important files so that first. Also once you do this all of the factory install stuff (including the Dell Diagnostics Hard Drive Partition will be gone)

 

Now the best thing you can do with this problem is delete all of the partitions except the one that is Label something like [Unknown] don't touch this if you want to keep the Dell Diagnostics Utility partition. I learned this the hard way so don't get rid of it. Reinstall the operating system and all software and drivers using teh Operating System CD (Drivers for HardWare are not included on this Disc), The Resource CD's to install applications and drivers and anyother software the came with your computer.

Make sure to use the option to reformat "C" or you will end up with another copy.

I dont need to format anymore since i found out the problem (my cd drive was acting funny and i thought it was a virus; firmware issues actually)

You should be able to remove the one you don't want. First, remove it from boot.ini using "bootcfg", as described in this Microsoft article. Then, after you're sure everything's OK, you can delete the directory containing the "extra" copy that's no longer referenced in boot.ini.

I will definitely try this but it kinda sounds too easy.  The other repliers make me skeptical of its simplicity.  This will delete that OS and will no longer appear in booting up the system?

I should warn you that doing these steps are very dangerous to your system if you don't back up important files so that first. Also once you do this all of the factory install stuff (including the Dell Diagnostics Hard Drive Partition will be gone)

Now the best thing you can do with this problem is delete all of the partitions except the one that is Label something like [Unknown] don't touch this if you want to keep the Dell Diagnostics Utility partition.

What files do i backup?  And what are partitions if you mind my asking?

Hi,

You should back up all of your data which you don`t want to lose.  Also any programs etc which are not on a CD for you to reinstall.  In other words, anything on "C" which is not on the Dell CDs will be lost

Partitions.

Partitions are divisions of the hard drive  You might have 1 hard drive divided into "C" and "D", or as many as you wish. Each one is called a partition.

Ths OS is usually installed on "C", so when you are reinstalling, you will lose all data and programs on "C", but anything on "D" will remain safe.

Dell Diagnostics is on a partition of its own, so be sure to keep it safe.

I labeled it C under my C: drive. (i.e. C:C/windows/....) so its like a complete OS (executable upon startup) thats taking up 2 gbs of my HD.

So you have these directories:

C:\windows and C:\C\windows, right?

It looks pretty straightforward to me. Clearly you need to decide which installation you want to retain, but the fact that one's installed in a directory named C should make that clear.

Jim

thanks for ur responses.

Yes, i want to keep C:windows and remove C:C/windows