Partition Cleaning problem

[Bob338]

Two minor but nagging problems.

The computer is a new build, ASUS M3N78 Pro mobo, Western Digital Caviar SE16 500GB HD. New build with great help from here.

I initially installed Windows XP, and then I had second thoughts. It was recommended to me I partition the drive and install Windows 7 for a trial. I thought I would after I had the OS and some other programs installed initially. I thought it was a great idea to have a dual boot machine. I partitioned and formated the HD believing everything would be wiped clean. After uninstalling programs, re formatting the hard drive, and partitioning, I decided to avoid the Beta version of 7, reinstalled XP in the other partition, Drive D, and will use Drive C for either the release version of Windows 7, or for storage. No problems so far.

In trying to utilize the C partition I found there is still some data, or some programs, on that partition. The only program that shows up when exploring the drive is something called RHD setup (1KB) yet in checking disk properties it shows 269 MB of used space and a number of compressed files. Disk Clean shows almost 1 gig of "stuff" on there. In trying to format that partition again in order to clean, hide or erase what's on there Windows takes me almost through the formatting process but a window pops up advising it can't be formatted. I'd like to clean that partition up completely and have everything erased off of it.

At boot-up I get an option of which OS system to boot from; both are Windows XP yet nothing happens if I utilize the Drive C option. I either have to hit the "Enter" key, choose the other XP option or wait 30 seconds more to boot up. I can't eliminate that option from the BIOS and that leads me to believe traces of the original installation of the OS are still on Drive C. If I use it I'm fearful it won't be erased and I'll not have full use of it, plus I want to eliminate that delay at boot-up. I’ve deleted everthing that shows up there but I’m unable to wipe that partition clean. Doing so I believe will clean up the boot problem. Formatting doesn’t do it.

How do I clean up that partition and eliminate that dual boot message for choosing which system?

Thanks.

[flanzig1]

Generally for dual boot, you should have the older OS on the C: drive, then install the secondary OS on a fresh partition.

[shadowpr]

It sounds like since it's still a new install, you might be better off starting over.

Reinstall windows xp, and when it asks you where to install, just delete all partitions, and that should then look like one large partition, and you can format and begin from there.

[glc]

If you don't mind starting from scratch, zero fill the drive. That will wipe everything.

www.dban.org

[Bob338]

Originally Posted by glc If you don't mind starting from scratch, zero fill the drive. That will wipe everything. www.dban.org

Yeah, I do mind. Too much already set up and it wouldn't be worth all the extra work; it's not that big a deal, just a nagging boo-boo. I was hoping I might be steered to a program to just wipe that partition, not the whole drive.

Can it be done off of the Recovery Console? I've never used it but I know it's there, and has a similar capability. I just don't know if that can wipe just the one partition.

[glc]

Even though you installed XP on D, it uses C for some boot files. You may want to rethink this, bite the bullet, and start over.