Dual Boot Both Win XP - Want to Remove Bad One

[don26812]

Hello,

So as not to be too embarassed, I won't say exactly how I got to this point or why, but I have two Win XP Pro Installs in the same partition. One, (the one I wanted to replace is using the \Windows folder and has all of my programs/data associated with it.

The reinstall (and good one) uses the \WINXP folder I had to name. No programs installed yet. Now I have a dual boot system that in the OS Choice DOS screen reads Windows XP Pro on both lines.

Both seem to share the same Program Files folder, but the programs aren't installed or present in the new install yet.Both seem to function ok.

I want to uninstall the bad/original Win XP Pro without messing up any data files if I can help it. Can I do this?In addition to other obvious reasons, I want to do this to regain the disk space from the original install in \Windows folder.

Assuming that I can uninstall without deleting data files, my next question follows. To keep things as simple and clean as possible, should I uninstall all of the programs in the first install version before removing that install of Win XP Pro? What is the impact if I don't? Can I mix and match? That is remove some and totally reinstall others (presumably over themselves) with out first removing their files through the Add/Remove Programs command in the original problematic WIN XP install.

I did see another thread where the steps for removing a Win XP install were given. However, I was reluctant to follow those instructions until I knew the answer to the above. After all, I got to this point doing something wrong in the reinstall process already.

Thanks in Advance,

Don
donstouder@comcast.net

 

[linney]

The first thing I hope you have done is save your valuable data. After that you can experiment as much as you like.

When you do a successful repair installation of XP it does destroy all the Windows Updates (including SP1 if that is not on the setup disk). Repairing windows itself by running it over itself. You will lose all your windows updates but your files will be untouched.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP (Q315341)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q315/3/41.asp

You can use the Qfecheck.exe tool and "SystemInfo" from a command prompt to check the state of any updates.

282784 - Qfecheck.exe Verifies the Installation of Windows 2000 and Windows XP Hotfixes

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;282784&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

826939 - Update Rollup 1 for Windows XP Is Available

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=826939

If anything your told goes "pear shape" you always have this for a fresh start.

HOW TO: Partition and Format a Hard Disk in Windows XP (Q313348)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q313/3/48.asp

Read the paragraph,
"How to Partition and Format Your Hard Disk by Using Windows XP Setup."


If you want to remove one of the Windows Startup options you will have to edit the Boot.ini file to remove one. This is a hidden and System file so check the boxes to show such files, or use the option in My Computer/ Properties/ Advanced/ Start Up and Recovery/ Settings/ System Start Up/ Edit.

HOW TO: Edit the Boot.ini File in Windows XP (Q289022)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q289/0/22.asp

Next you must decide which Windows folder to delete from your harddrive and hope that the remaining one continues to function. And see how the installed programs behave.

So many things can go wrong so be prepared for a complete format and install.

My advise is to do a clean install, anyway, and set up everything correctly including reinstalling your programs. Use your backup to replace your data. Anything else is going to leave you wondering if things are all right.

 

[don26812]

Thank you for the quick reply, Linney.

First, I wish I would have had your reply before starting; it would have made the process easier. But I guess I did not make myself clear.

I feel I have a clean install now. It resides on the PC using the the folder \WINXP instead of \Windows. All critical and suggested updates have been added. I am now ready to load applications. I believe my data is backed up.

My original problematic WIN XP Pro install is still in the same partition and uses \Windows folder. Both appear to be functional. I want to now remove the original WIN XP Pro and have the following questions:

1. I presume and assume that all data files will remain untouched. Correct?

2. Does a "Yes" answer include those in the My Documents and My Pictures folders?

3. How do I specifically remove the original Win XP install?

4. Since the Program Files folder appears to be intact but inop in the fresh install, should I uninstall all those programs in the original install or should I just reinstall the applications in the new Win XP and let the files be overwritten or whatever?

5. A related question is since they are not part of the new intall registry yet and must be reinstalled, can I just delete them without the uninstalling them in the old Windows install, since they will be replaced anyway?

There are probably a lot of programs files/folders I do not want any more residing there.

6. One last question is will there be any long term problem with having \WINXP as my \Windows folder?

I apologize if the answers to the above are embedded in your references, but the references seemed to be geared for showing someone how to do it right the first time. That is not me.

I am kind of in the middle and want to leverage the time I spent adding all of the XP updates to my new install.

Again TIA,

Don

 

[bcastner]

Uninstall the "good" second version, and repair the original "bad" version with all your programs and data.

Uninstall:

http://support.microsoft.com/defaul...port/kb/articles/q308/2/33.asp&NoWebContent=1

Adjust your directory path as appropriate.

Repair:

http://support.microsoft.com:80/support/kb/articles/q315/3/41.asp&NoWebContent=1

 

[don26812]

I understand, why you recommended going with the original install and repair/reconstructing it. But I had already tried that and it failed to clear up my problems, one of which was that the original install always failed on trying to add the latest security updates. This was even after the repair approach was tried.

Sorry I left that little bit out. So, now you see why I asked the questions the way I did, hopefully.

TIA

Don

 

[linney]

You could delete your old Windows folder. Your New Windows may object to deleting a folder called "Windows" but should allow it because it is not part of the Operating System. If not you may have to use the Recovery Console (to delete it outright). You may want to see if you can keep it in the Recycle Bin for a day or two, but size may come into play as the Bin is limited to 10% of a drive.

The fact that your new Windows folder is called "WINXP" will not be a problem as long as it was installed with that name by Windows.

The only data to be lost by the above will be that found in the old Windows folders.

Your Program Files folder is a bit messy (if I understand you) because some of the Windows Programs will be in there from your new install and working correctly mixed up with old third party programs (which can be either deleted and re installed or attempted to reinstalled over). In either case you will have to take some action to fix your third party programs so they become inserted in the new registry.
As to whether you uninstall or delete, depends whether you do the uninstall before you get rid of the old windows folder (including the old registry) or after.

My Documents and My Pictures folders will not be deleted if they are not in your old windows folder.

I wish you well but again emphasise that my preferred method would be a complete fresh install done properly.

 

[don26812]

Linney,

Thanks a lot for the reply and the hints. Your points are well taken as well as your recommended approach. If I understand you correctly, I will not be using any real program to uninstall the original Win XP install, but will be just erasing the Windows folder. This will make any programs in the Programs folder useless accept if they have been installed with the new Win XP and put in the same place as the old ones.

I am not sure what actually eliminates the DOS Op System choice message, but I guess I will find out. I have a feeling that I will end up doing the fresh install you suggest, because things won't work or something doing it my way.

Just to close this thread out, I will report back with a brief note that says how I ended up.

Thanks again,

Don

 

[linney]

From your Boot.ini file you will have to delete the line which is pointing to your removed operating system. It will be one of the two last lines. Make sure you get the right one.