To start from scratch. How do I . . . . .

[onlymel]

Hi, - - I want to do this purely as a learning process. (I have nothing to do and all day to do it in) so I want to convince myself that I can carry this out without any mishaps.

I want to have my computer as though I had just purchased it from the supplier. I presently have it set up as follows:

I have Windows 98 SE on one partition (C drive)
I have XP Home (upgrade) on the other. (D drive)
My hard drive is 40 gig and when I RIGHT clicked on my computer and selected “Disk Management” it indicated as follows:
C is primary partition 19.17 GB Fat32. Healthy boot.
D is Logical Drive 19.17 GB Fat32. Healthy boot.

Question is:

How do I go about configuring it all so as to end up with one formatted 40 gig hard drive just as though it was purchased yesterday?

There is no need to consider backing anything up. I did that this morning.

Please understand that I am not a whiz on computers so a step by step walk through without the jargon would be much appreciated please.

Thank you - - Mel in the U.K.

 

[pechenegs]

Just undo the changes you did in setting up the second partition? stick in the sytem restore disc which came with your computer or if you have it, put in the original windows 98SE disc? If you have a system restore disc this will restore your computer as it was when you first booted it up, if you have the Win 98SE disc then you'll have to put the software on yourself which should be on other software discs supplied by your supplier. Why you want to do this is beyond me!?

 

[onlymel]

I should have stated that both operating systems were purchased at re-tail outlets. Example, I DO NOT have a sytem restore disc. I was able to use XP upgrade because of being able to provide my Win 98 SE disc.

Mel.

 

[wolluf]

If you want a clean version of XP on the whole 40GB, straightforward.

1. Boot PC with the XP install CD (change bios setting to boot from CD first if necessary). Remember to hit a hit when prompted by the CD booting.

2. Choose new install & ignore any offers to repair existing installation. When it gets to bit where you choose partition to install into, use the tools to delete both existing partitions (select, hit D key, answer confirm prompts properly). Then use tools to create new partition using all space (hit C key) or just select unpartitioned space and hit enter. Format ntfs or fat32 as required, and installation will proceed normally (you'll have to supply key and answer a few questions)

You may end up with 3 items on boot menu (instead of one) - just edit boot.ini (you can access this from system properties) to remove unwanted 2. It should look like this:-

[boot loader]
timeout=1
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect

You'll need your qualifying 98 CD again as its upgrade during the install.

 

[onlymel]

wolluf: - Thanks for the info my friend. However, I want to end up with a CLEAN 40 gig hard drive. Just like it was when I bought the computer.

Regards, - Mel.