Windows XP unable to uninstall and unable to format the c:\

  • Thread starter Thread starter Paul
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Paul

The PC locked up on my wife, and we couldn't get back in
to access her files. The only thing I could do was
reinstall Windows XP. Now when I boot up, I have the
option of two operating systems (only one of which
works). I now want to remove Windows XP and start fresh,
but there is no "uninstall" program. When I tried to
format C:, the system gives me a message stating I cannot
do it. Nothing else I've read in "Help" works. I did
read that I cannot uninstall XP if I upgraded from FAT32
to NTFS, but I didn't do that. Any suggestions as this is
driving me nuts?
 
Boot from the XP CD and during setup, you'll be offered the opportunity format your drive.
 
If installed on two separate partitions you'll be able to format both and
start over with the following procedure:
Assuming your system is set to boot from the CD-ROM drive, boot with the XP
CD in the drive. If it isn't or you are not sure, you need to enter the
system's BIOS. When you boot the system, the first screen usually has
instructions that if you wish to enter setup press a specific key, when you
see that, do so. Then you will have to navigate to the boot sequence, if
the CD-ROM drive is not first line, set it first in the boot sequence. Save
your settings and exit with the XP CD in the drive. The system will reboot.

A few screens into the boot process, if you see the message on the boot
screen to "Press any key in order to boot from the CD," do so.

After loading drivers and files, you should be taken to a screen with
the following:

To Setup Windows XP now, press ENTER.
To Repair a Windows XP Installation using Recovery Console press R.
To Quit setup without installing Windows XP, press F3.

In your case, press ENTER.

Agree to the License agreement by pressing F8.

You will then be taken to a screen with two options.

To repair the selected Windows XP installation press R.
To continue installing a fresh copy of Windows XP without repairing,
press ESC.

This will bring you to a partition map where you
can delete, create and format partitions.
Select the drive you wish to format, delete the partition, then create a new
partition, format as desired and continue with XP installation.
 
Hi, Paul.

If things ever get this bad again, instead of doing a "clean install" of
WinXP, follow Microsoft's instructions for an "in-place upgrade". This will
reinstall WinXP, but will preserve your installed applications and data.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;q315341

It's still a half-day project, because you will need to visit Windows Update
as soon as you get your firewall and antivirus back in place and get back
online. But at least, you won't have to reformat, wiping out whatever data
was on the HD in the process.

If you do a clean install, choose to reformat using NTFS. There is no
reason to cling to FAT32 unless you plan to install Win9x/ME on this HD.
NTFS is much more secure, both in the sense of security from unauthorized
access and in the sense of security from file system glitches.

RC
 
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