How do I delete an OS ???

Hi Guys,

I have a friend that was having major issues with his Windows XP. So, he re-installed the program. Now it is on his system twice. The new one he installed works great. The second one that is showing up as an option on start up shows that is is corrupted and does not work if you chose it. How do we delete the corrupt program???? Since it is still on his system isn't it taking up memory??? Any help as usual is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Cheri

 

As MA suggests you went past the point in the install process, when it detected that an OS was already on the partition, and ask if you want to delete the old one.

Here is a workaround. You have a C:\WINDOWS and a C:\WINDOWS.0 on your primary partition. The Boot.ini will tell which is the defaut directory.

Do the following:

START > RUN
type CMD
click OK

A Command Terminal will open, type the following:
CD .. Hit Enter
CD .. Hit Enter
EDIT C:\Boot.ini Hit Enter

You will see a file that looks something like this:

[boot loader] ​

timeout=30​

default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS​

[operating systems] ​

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect​

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS.0="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect​

Delete the Line that doesn't point to the same directory as the default line.

Reboot.

Delete the directory that is not the default WINDOWS Directory in the Boot.ini.

That should take care of it for your friend.

 

Ok, maybe I'm having a dumb moment right now and don't want to make you mad but I did not understand the instructions. Usually I do. Or maybe I just misunderstand. Do you want me to re-install the program again??? Will it overwrite both the one that is installed and working properly and the one that is in there that is corrupt??? Will it then be in there only once??? If you do not mind will you please explain further? I've learned a lot from you mainly about viruses etc. and I did at one time have to re-install Windows 2000 on my son's computer and did not have this problem. It completely cleaned his system and we started from scratch. But, I've never had two OS on a pc at the same time. I'm not sure how my friend did this and I'm just trying to help get one back on the pc instead of a bad one and a good one. Because he is saying that he does not have as much memory as he did before the re-install.

Thank you so very much for your patience with me,
Cheri

 

Thanks Shadow_Puter_Dude,

I understand that a little better. I'm going over there when he gets home from work to help install all the virus and spyware protection he needs. I'll try this and if I run into problems I'll re-post.

Thanks for your help,
Cheri

 

If you aren't sure which line to delete you can post a copy of the Boot.ini and I will show you which line to delete and then which directory to delete.

 

Sounds great. I'll let you know.

Thanks,
Cheri

 

Hi Shadow_Puter_Dude,


We just followed your instructions and below I have put what we found. I'm not sure which line to delete and do not want to delete the wrong one.

{boot loader}

timeout=30

default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINNT

{operation systems}

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)WINNT="Microsoft Windows XP Professional"

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional"

That's it. Now what do I do from here?????

Thanks a lot,
Cheri

 

@bowerscheri Yes delete the above line that D3m3nt3d suggests. Then reboot to make sure everything is working properly. If everything is working properly the you can go ahead and delete the WINDOWS directory.

 

Thanks guys,

I understand now which line to delete but you've thrown me when you said reboot and if everything works properly I can delete the windows directory. Which line is that?

As always I appreciate your helping guide me through these steps.
Cheri

 

XP is installed in the following Directories:

C:\WINNT the default directory in the Boot.ini
and
C:\WINDOWS after rebooting you will delete the entire directory, only if the system boots correctly.

 

if he dosent want any programs hes useing now i would reload xp fresh and clean out the whole dam comp its more likely infected

 

Got it!!!! Thanks for the help.

As far as his pc being infected, I'm positive it is. He's had a lot of problems with it. Bought it used and it's never worked properly. I offered a long time ago to take a look at it (not that I'm an expert like you guys but with all the help you've given me over that last few months I've gotten pretty good at the viruses and spyware issues) anyway, his male ego keep saying no. Finally, it got so bad that when he originally tried to reinstall XP over his exsisting one the thing ran for 2 days and never completely installed. So I went over and popped in my Windows 2000 Professional and proceeded to install it. Hoping it would clean his system and start fresh with this version. It installed properly and quickly. Then when he came home from work he called to say he was going to try and load the XP again. He did and this time it loaded properly. But, what was weird to me all his icons and everything came back. They did not work of course so he deleted everything and just reinstalled the programs he needed but I told him that some of the viruses he had may still be on there and they are. But, he did not get on the internet until I went back over and came directly to this site and started downloading the protection he needs. He has dial up so it took a long time. I got two installed and am going back later today to finish with the rest of what he needs. So, I don't think it will take much to get it virus and spyware free from here on out. I just wanted to be able to get rid of the corrupt version of xp that was on there.

You guys are great and I appreciate all the help.
Cheri

 

Your welcome, and come back again if you need more help.

 

Hey Shadow,


I do have another question. It's not related to the same issue but still figured I'd ask you. Guess, it's more like a couple of questions. One: Does a computer programer have a way of figuring out someone's password (ex. for their email like hotmail, yahoo, etc)? Two, if a program has been installed on a personal pc that allows someone to track all the activity on that pc, is there a way of finding out that this particular program is on the pc (intenionally, not spyware)? I know maybe out of the ordinary questions but I'm asking for another friend of mine. She thinks her husband (who is a computer programmer) has been in her email account and reading her emails. She asked me these questions and I think I know the answers but wanted another opinion.

Thanks,
Cheri

 

What is she doing that she doesn't want her husband to know about? Sounds more like an ethical problem than computer.

 

Question 1 - Yes, there are programs that can crack the passwords used for sites such as hotmail and yahoo. However it is usuallly easier and quicker for some one to install a key logger on to the computer to gather that information.

Question 2 - Yes, programs can be installed that monitor a persons activities while logged onto their profile. These progams usually show up as a running process in the task manager. If they are hidden processes programs like HijackThis will show them.

 

It's more like a trust and privacy issue. The individual in question has accounts that their spouse is monitoring ILLEGALLY. If that is even the case here.

 

LOL....PeterParker. She is not doing anything at all that he should not know about. It's a very long story but let's see how short I can make it. They've been married 12 years now. Had ups and downs of course but on the norm have a good relationship. She is from the US and he is from Australia. They lived here in the states until going on a year now and then they moved to Australia. She has been going through a difficult time (also they have 2 small children) with major depression (and I want go into the details of that) She and I have been close friends for over 30 years. So, she emails me and I email her. I get along with her husband and like him a lot and he calls me sometimes to chat about things and also emails me. The depression is taking a toll on both of them and he is getting worried about things so she just thinks he may be reading her emails just to see what she and I are emailing about. Trust is a factor and but not the way you were thinking. So, as you see it's just drama but not cheating issues. That's the gist of it anyway.

Also, I'm not anti guy or anything and don't always take her side on things. I talk to both of them and try help them see things from a different angle and why that person may be acting the way they are. I want the best for the both of them.

If makes you guys feel better the friend that I've been helping with his computer is my ex-husband. We get along fine and I get along with his wife and even help with the kids. So, I'm a good person that just wants everybody happy.... or at least as happy as possible. Why be any other way?????? : )

Ok, enough of the soap opera for today.............LOL !!!!

Thanks for the responses,
Cheri