Attn computer dudes

[Berrik]

How do I uninstall a second copy of WinXP Pro? I had to install a second one to fix the problems with the first, and now I need to know how to get rid of it.

[Mafty Navue Erin]

Step 1:
1. Open your window.
Step 2:
2. Take out your hard drive.
Step 3:
3. Throw the hard drive hella far out into the window.
Step 4:
4. Retrieve the remains and slap it back to your PC.

;D ;D ;D

Ok, kidding aside...

You're in luck if you installed it in a separate partition, else....it'll involve more than formatting and editing the bootup parameters of your pc...

[Berrik]

Actually I installed it on the same partition. o.x

[Mafty Navue Erin]

Er...then you're in trouble. Putting both in the same partition means that in a way, the distinction between the two instances are blurred because they install some system files in default locations (ie. Program Files/Common/) and that tweaking one means you're also affecting the other.

I'd say your best solution is a complete format/reinstall...but that's just me, since I like clean partitions and all...

[Tavish]

What Mafty said is correct. This can potentially lead to problems, as you might imagine. Personally, I'd head off any issues you might have by doing so immediately, rather than waiting for a bad situation to develop.

If you choose to reformat, partition the drive. I have three partitions, even though I only have one operating system in use (Win2k), because it's easier to organize my data, and also allows me to install new OS if I feel like it.

[Berrik]

Actually, what happened is that when the second copy was installed, it made a second Windows dir (Windows.0) and loads all it's drivers and stuff from there. There's no overlap between the two.

[Danny Ereox]

i've had the same issue, i just deleted the other windows file, had no trouble with it then. only in boot system he askes wich WIN xp you want to use, you must find the one that is still on the harddrive.

[Frost Winterheim [In Suit]]

I can't really see what appears on your screen so it's hard for me to really judge. What I would suggest are two things:

- first, check your installed programs list. Usually, the extra operating system appears there since XP comes with an uninstall feature.
- the be all, end all solution here would be to reformat everything. Transfer all the important files in another partition then reformat the partition where you usually install your operating system.

Next time, when you have to fix problems with XP's system (which is pathetic for the most part after I was able to use Fedora Core 3 although the main computer at home still uses XP Pro Service Pack 2), use your installation disk. It already has a repair feature. I think you know this already. When you stuff it in your cd drive when booting, it boots from the installation disk and gives you the option of repairing the system.

[Rooster]

There is overlap. Tavish is correct on this regard.

Deleting the Windows directory that you're not actually working should help clean up a good deal of potential problems.

Formatting IS a good idea, since the cleaner your system is, the more stable it is.

Partitioning is also a good idea. Leave about 4-5 gigs for a "Just Windows" partition and put everything elsewhere. I go to the level of having separate partitions for games, programs, downloads, the system, music, coding stuff, my webserver, restore/install/patch files and e-books. But then, I'm crazy.

As for Danny's problem, he can solve that by editing his boot settings in System Properties (Start+Pause. Odd key combination, but it works. This is the Start key plus the key right of Scroll Lock.), Advanced tab, Startup and Recovery button. At the top is a list of boot options that you see at startup. Select the right one and uncheck Time to display operating systems.

This removes that screen and speeds your boot time a bit.

[Berrik]

A reformat is not an option. I have too much stuff and can't back it all up, and I don't want to lose it all.