New XP install, old programs still on hard drive

[needhelp]

I dont understand this. I just did a new installation of XP. I was having trouble with the about blank virus thing and couldnt remove it. I chose the New installation rather than the Upgrade option when I started the install.
I was under the impression that XP would format the hard dirve if I did this and install a new installation of XP.
All went well with the installation and my old programs are not listed in start/all programs.
The only programs showing there are the ones Windows installs. And the only icon on my deesktop is the garbage bin.
Okay, so I thought I had formatted the hard drive and everything was new. But, when I go to my computer and click on programs folder, all my old programs are intact and functional.
How can this be if XP formats the hard drive during the new installation process. I thought all my programs would be lost.
The other thing is that when I boot up I now get an option to boot into Windows XP and a second choice to boot into Windows XP.
Does this mean I have 2 copies of xp on my computer. I havent been game to select the second choice of xp at bootup cos I dont want the about bland virus to return.
Is there a way I can get rid of the second choice option without stuffing things up and why wasnt my old program files deleted.

[bozo]

Are your old programs on the same partition as XP is on? If so then you did not get the drive formatted before you installed XP, and basically did an "over the top" install.

As far as the "Boot Menu" you are now seeing, you have to edit your "boot.ini" file, since it has duplicate entries. Right click "My Computer"...select "Properties>Advanced"...then in the "Startup & Recovery" select "Settings", then "To edit the startup file manually click edit. Click the "edit " tab. This will open the "boot.ini" file.
IMPORTANT...whenever I edit this file, I first save the original file to something different (bootbackup.ini). Then edit out the duplicate entry in the boot.ini file...make sure to "Save" the edited file.

[c_alvarado]

you have to delete all partitions and clear the MBR(Master Boot Record). Once you do that you should be in good shape.

[DynamicTech]

The hard drive was not formatted. It's been my experience installing XP, that you have to specify that you want your drive formatted. you can either:
a.) erase all the remaining files.
b.) redo the xp setup, paying careful attention to the screens. choose the new install and format your disk with NTFS.

[Panama Red]

Originally Posted by DynamicTech The hard drive was not formatted. It's been my experience installing XP, that you have to specify that you want your drive formatted. you can either: a.) erase all the remaining files. b.) redo the xp setup, paying careful attention to the screens. choose the new install and format your disk with NTFS.

You only get the format option IF you Delete existing partitons first as c_alvarado has suggested.

[needhelp]

Thanks guys,
For some reason I was under the impression that xp formatted the hard drive automatically when "new install" option is selected at the beginning of the setup procedure.
I selected that option and chose NFTS. The old program files are on the same partition as the OS. but not showing on start/all programs. Is there any quck fix to bring these programs onto the start/all programs or do I have to reinstall each program.

[GaryRouth]

I'm a little late replying . . .

. . . but if you haven't already re-done things, I'd recommend just deleting the current partitions and starting over. It's a bit cleaner, and you won't have to worry about any lingering infected files from the earlier XP installation. In cases of extremely infested systems, I usually recommend a zero-write - but yours doesn't sound quite that severe.

Don't reconnect to any networks (especially the Internet) until you have antivirus, antispyware, and firewall software installed and active. Then you'll go straight to Windows Update for the Security Patches.

Most programs don't take much time to install nowadays, so it's not so bad. [By the way - if MS Office is among them, visit Office Update for it's Security Patches as well].

It gives you a chance to get rid of things that were just hanging about, too: a bit of spring cleaning.

Best of luck
. . . Gary

[P.S. -- one more thing: scan any backups before restoring data to the fresh install - so that the previous infection doesn't sneak back in]

[needhelp]

Thanks Gary,
what is the best way to delete the current partition. during the installation setup? not too familar with NFTS

[GaryRouth]

You're right about using the tools during Setup = those are the easiest.

Option 1) Right after you boot from the Windows XP Installation CD, and agree to the license agreement, the screen for partitioning the disk appears. It's pretty straightforward, "D" deletes a partition and "L" confirms that. "C" creates a partition. Doesn't get much easier than that! However, I like to see screenshots beforehand for some things like this, so if you'd like a preview, the ElderGeek site has screenshots of the Setup screens http://www.theeldergeek.com/xp_home_..._-_graphic.htm

Option 2) On the other hand, if you have any serious questions about possible rootkit infections, you could use the hard disk tool from the hard drive's manufacturer's website to zero-write the drive. [The diagnostics download usually creates a bootable floppy or a bootable CD]. Then you'd proceed with your XP installation as if the drive was brand-new (which, in fact, is what a zero-write does, erase everything & test the drive's surface to re-certify that it is in good condition). All you'd have to do then is follow the Setup screen prompts. NTFS is the better choice for most modern systems, so choose NTFS when prompted (you haven't mentioned dual-booting with Win98se, which is about the only reason to consider FAT32, so don't bother with FAT32).

Then you can get back to enjoying your computer again.
. . . Gary

[needhelp]

Thanks Gary, much appreciated advice.


John