Can't Delete Files

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Guest

I had to reinstall (as a clean install) a XP upgrade to solve some ip address
problems. It did solve those problems, but XP also made copies of files from
c: to e: (docs and settings, program files, windows). I can't delete those
files from e: as the error states that the file is use.

How can that be if I am originating my program loads from c:? How can I
delete these?
 
Squire said:
Try booting in safe mode to bypass Windows, then delete them.



In Safe Mode I get the same error messages: I can't because it is a required program or it is being used. I also can't reformat the drive for the same reasons.
Click to expand...
 
e:\documents and settings\christopher>pat
path=e:\windows\system32\;e:\windows;e:\windows\systems32\wbem;c:\windows;c:\windows\command;c:\windows\twain_32\scanwiz;c:\windows\twain\scanwiz
 
It sounds like your clean install is on E not C. Go to Start, Run and type:
msinfo32 <then click OK>

About midway down the System Summary page, it will tell you where the
currently running Windows is installed.

PattyL
 
Well, how about that, it is on e:
So, is my only option to reformat c: and reinstall XP hoping it will install
on c: this time?
 
Well, it seems inefficient to have those files (24gb worth) to reside on both
of my 40gb drives - more suggestions?
 
You can delete the \Windows and \Program Files folders from c: so that
you're not taking up the space on both drives. If you format the drive, you
will mess up the boot and have to fix that. There is no problem with
running Windows from E.

I would first rename the Windows and Program Files folders and run for a
while to be sure that nothing you are using is in this location. Once you
are confident that you don't need anything in these folders, you can delete
them. You can also modify the boot menu (assuming that it's showing two
installations of XP) and remove the option to start the one that you
deleted.

Right-click My Computer, then click the Advanced tab. Click Settings under
Startup and Recovery, then click Edit.

PattyL
 
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