Guest Ed Mc Posted August 12, 2007 Posted August 12, 2007 I have 2 hard drives in the same computer. Each has it's own copy of XP installed. It's a dual boot system. I would like to erase one drive and just use the disk for storage. Is this a simple task? My main disk is formatted NTFS. The one I want to erase is FAT32. Could someone give me a step by step procedure? Google gives answers for dual boot with different OS's. Thanks for any help.
Guest Pegasus \(MVP\) Posted August 12, 2007 Posted August 12, 2007 Re: remove dual boot "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message news:c46dnZYc8dDmoiLbnZ2dnUVZ_oaonZ2d@comcast.com... > I have 2 hard drives in the same computer. Each has it's own copy of > XP installed. It's a dual boot system. I would like to erase one drive and > just use the disk for storage. Is this a simple task? My main disk is > formatted NTFS. The one I want to erase is FAT32. Could someone give me a > step by step procedure? Google gives answers for dual boot with different > OS's. Thanks for any help. You need to supply much more information, e.g. - What is the drive letter for the unwanted installation? C:? D:? Other? - Which partition is active? C:? D:? Other? The command diskmgmt.msc will show you. - Where do the hidden boot files reside? C:? D:? Other? Their names are c:\ntldr, c:\ntdetect.com, c:\boot.ini (or d:\ntldr, d:\ntdetect.com, d:\boot.ini, etc). - Do you have a floppy disk drive?
Guest Ed Mc Posted August 12, 2007 Posted August 12, 2007 Re: remove dual boot Pegasus (MVP) wrote: > "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message > news:c46dnZYc8dDmoiLbnZ2dnUVZ_oaonZ2d@comcast.com... >> I have 2 hard drives in the same computer. Each has it's own copy of >> XP installed. It's a dual boot system. I would like to erase one drive and >> just use the disk for storage. Is this a simple task? My main disk is >> formatted NTFS. The one I want to erase is FAT32. Could someone give me a >> step by step procedure? Google gives answers for dual boot with different >> OS's. Thanks for any help. > > You need to supply much more information, e.g. > - What is the drive letter for the unwanted installation? C:? D:? Other? > - Which partition is active? C:? D:? Other? The command > diskmgmt.msc will show you. > - Where do the hidden boot files reside? C:? D:? Other? > Their names are c:\ntldr, c:\ntdetect.com, c:\boot.ini > (or d:\ntldr, d:\ntdetect.com, d:\boot.ini, etc). > - Do you have a floppy disk drive? > > the unwanted drive is E. I can only find boot.ini backup located on C and E drives. Can't find the other files. I have "Show hidden files " checked. The E drive is active. (C is "system"). I do have a floppy drive. Thanks for help.
Guest nass Posted August 12, 2007 Posted August 12, 2007 RE: remove dual boot "Ed Mc" wrote: > I have 2 hard drives in the same computer. > Each has it's own copy of XP installed. It's a > dual boot system. I would like to erase one drive > and just use the disk for storage. Is this a > simple task? My main disk is formatted NTFS. The > one I want to erase is FAT32. Could someone give > me a step by step procedure? Google gives answers > for dual boot with different OS's. Thanks for any > help. We need more info more than this, what the two operating system are?. My guess you run out of space and you want to format your Recovery Partition, Am I right?. HTH. nass
Guest Ken Blake, MVP Posted August 12, 2007 Posted August 12, 2007 Re: remove dual boot On Sun, 12 Aug 2007 10:12:49 -0700, Ed Mc <namvtn@noway.com> wrote: > I have 2 hard drives in the same computer. > Each has it's own copy of XP installed. It's a > dual boot system. I would like to erase one drive > and just use the disk for storage. Is this a > simple task? Sure. > My main disk is formatted NTFS. The > one I want to erase is FAT32. Could someone give > me a step by step procedure? G 1. Boot to the main NTFS drive. 2. Right-click on My Computer and choose Manage. 3. Click Disk Management. 4. In the lower pane, right-click on the drive you want to "delete" and choose format. Be aware that that causes the loss of everything on the drive, so if there's anything you need, back it up first. Then you will also want to disable the choice of booting to that drive. Run MSCONFIG, go to the boot.ini tab, and click "Check all boot paths." -- Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP Windows - Shell/User Please Reply to the Newsgroup
Guest Pegasus \(MVP\) Posted August 12, 2007 Posted August 12, 2007 Re: remove dual boot "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message news:ppmdnT9iErmezyLbnZ2dnUVZ_gudnZ2d@comcast.com... > Pegasus (MVP) wrote: >> "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message >> news:c46dnZYc8dDmoiLbnZ2dnUVZ_oaonZ2d@comcast.com... >>> I have 2 hard drives in the same computer. Each has it's own copy >>> of XP installed. It's a dual boot system. I would like to erase one >>> drive and just use the disk for storage. Is this a simple task? My main >>> disk is formatted NTFS. The one I want to erase is FAT32. Could someone >>> give me a step by step procedure? Google gives answers for dual boot >>> with different OS's. Thanks for any help. >> >> You need to supply much more information, e.g. >> - What is the drive letter for the unwanted installation? C:? D:? Other? >> - Which partition is active? C:? D:? Other? The command >> diskmgmt.msc will show you. >> - Where do the hidden boot files reside? C:? D:? Other? >> Their names are c:\ntldr, c:\ntdetect.com, c:\boot.ini >> (or d:\ntldr, d:\ntdetect.com, d:\boot.ini, etc). >> - Do you have a floppy disk drive? > the unwanted drive is E. I can only find boot.ini backup located on C > and E drives. Can't find the other files. I have "Show hidden files " > checked. The E drive is active. (C is "system"). I do have a floppy drive. > Thanks for help. We're getting a little closer. The boot files are, of course, on your hard disk. If they weren't then Windows would not boot! To locate them, do this: - Click Start/Run/cmd {OK} - Type these commands: attrib c:\nt*.*{Enter} attrib c:\*.ini{Enter} attrib e:\nt*.*{Enter} attrib e:\*.ini{Enter} type c:\boot.ini type e:\boot.ini - Report all the results.
Guest Dave Candi Posted August 12, 2007 Posted August 12, 2007 Re: remove dual boot "Ken Blake, MVP" wrote: > On Sun, 12 Aug 2007 10:12:49 -0700, Ed Mc <namvtn@noway.com> wrote: > > > I have 2 hard drives in the same computer. > > Each has it's own copy of XP installed. It's a > > dual boot system. I would like to erase one drive > > and just use the disk for storage. Is this a > > simple task? > > > Sure. > > > > My main disk is formatted NTFS. The > > one I want to erase is FAT32. Could someone give > > me a step by step procedure? G > > > > 1. Boot to the main NTFS drive. > 2. Right-click on My Computer and choose Manage. > 3. Click Disk Management. > 4. In the lower pane, right-click on the drive you want to "delete" > and choose format. > > Be aware that that causes the loss of everything on the drive, so if > there's anything you need, back it up first. > > Then you will also want to disable the choice of booting to that > drive. Run MSCONFIG, go to the boot.ini tab, and click "Check all boot > paths." > > -- > Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP Windows - Shell/User > Please Reply to the Newsgroup |Ed if you have problems with removing the boot menu on startup which is often the case use bootcfg. Goto the command prompt and type bootcfg /? this will list all the options that command offers. I'm not sure it deletes the o.s itself though but a good format will do that as somebody mentioned before. good luck >
Guest Pegasus \(MVP\) Posted August 12, 2007 Posted August 12, 2007 Re: remove dual boot "Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.am.invalid.domain> wrote in message news:0rkub39co5kifoks8i5okd0m5b2blp5oup@4ax.com... > On Sun, 12 Aug 2007 10:12:49 -0700, Ed Mc <namvtn@noway.com> wrote: > >> I have 2 hard drives in the same computer. >> Each has it's own copy of XP installed. It's a >> dual boot system. I would like to erase one drive >> and just use the disk for storage. Is this a >> simple task? > > > Sure. > > >> My main disk is formatted NTFS. The >> one I want to erase is FAT32. Could someone give >> me a step by step procedure? G > > > > 1. Boot to the main NTFS drive. > 2. Right-click on My Computer and choose Manage. > 3. Click Disk Management. > 4. In the lower pane, right-click on the drive you want to "delete" > and choose format. > > Be aware that that causes the loss of everything on the drive, so if > there's anything you need, back it up first. > > Then you will also want to disable the choice of booting to that > drive. Run MSCONFIG, go to the boot.ini tab, and click "Check all boot > paths." > > -- > Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP Windows - Shell/User > Please Reply to the Newsgroup I think this poster's problem requires a little more attention because it appears that the installation he wishes to remove happens to reside on the active volume. Formatting it without taking prior precautions might make the machine unbootable.
Guest Ed Mc Posted August 12, 2007 Posted August 12, 2007 Re: remove dual boot Pegasus (MVP) wrote: > "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message > news:ppmdnT9iErmezyLbnZ2dnUVZ_gudnZ2d@comcast.com... >> Pegasus (MVP) wrote: >>> "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message >>> news:c46dnZYc8dDmoiLbnZ2dnUVZ_oaonZ2d@comcast.com... >>>> I have 2 hard drives in the same computer. Each has it's own copy >>>> of XP installed. It's a dual boot system. I would like to erase one >>>> drive and just use the disk for storage. Is this a simple task? My main >>>> disk is formatted NTFS. The one I want to erase is FAT32. Could someone >>>> give me a step by step procedure? Google gives answers for dual boot >>>> with different OS's. Thanks for any help. >>> You need to supply much more information, e.g. >>> - What is the drive letter for the unwanted installation? C:? D:? Other? >>> - Which partition is active? C:? D:? Other? The command >>> diskmgmt.msc will show you. >>> - Where do the hidden boot files reside? C:? D:? Other? >>> Their names are c:\ntldr, c:\ntdetect.com, c:\boot.ini >>> (or d:\ntldr, d:\ntdetect.com, d:\boot.ini, etc). >>> - Do you have a floppy disk drive? >> the unwanted drive is E. I can only find boot.ini backup located on C >> and E drives. Can't find the other files. I have "Show hidden files " >> checked. The E drive is active. (C is "system"). I do have a floppy drive. >> Thanks for help. > > We're getting a little closer. The boot files are, of course, > on your hard disk. If they weren't then Windows would > not boot! To locate them, do this: > - Click Start/Run/cmd {OK} > - Type these commands: > attrib c:\nt*.*{Enter} > attrib c:\*.ini{Enter} > attrib e:\nt*.*{Enter} > attrib e:\*.ini{Enter} > type c:\boot.ini > type e:\boot.ini > - Report all the results. > > Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600] © Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp. C:\Documents and Settings\Edward>attrib c:\nt*.* A SHR C:\NTDETECT.COM A SHR C:\ntldr C:\Documents and Settings\Edward>c:\*.ini The system cannot find the path specified. C:\Documents and Settings\Edward>attrib c:\*.ini SH C:\boot.ini C:\Documents and Settings\Edward>attrib e:\nt*.* File not found - E:\nt*.* C:\Documents and Settings\Edward>attrib e:\*.ini File not found - E:\*.ini C:\Documents and Settings\Edward>type c:\boot.ini [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 Home Edition" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(2)\WINDOWS="xp2" /? C:\Documents and Settings\Edward>type e:\boot.ini The system cannot find the file specified. C:\Documents and Settings\Edward> Does this help?
Guest JS Posted August 12, 2007 Posted August 12, 2007 Re: remove dual boot One thing you can try first is to disconnect the cable to the second drive and see if you are able to boot from the drive you wish to keep Windows on. If you can accomplish this (boot to Windows) without problems then you know it's safe to delete the contents of the second drive. As to how to delete/repartition the second drive I wait until you report back. JS "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message news:c46dnZYc8dDmoiLbnZ2dnUVZ_oaonZ2d@comcast.com... > I have 2 hard drives in the same computer. Each has it's own copy of > XP installed. It's a dual boot system. I would like to erase one drive and > just use the disk for storage. Is this a simple task? My main disk is > formatted NTFS. The one I want to erase is FAT32. Could someone give me a > step by step procedure? Google gives answers for dual boot with different > OS's. Thanks for any help.
Guest Pegasus \(MVP\) Posted August 12, 2007 Posted August 12, 2007 Re: remove dual boot "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message news:WNGdncCDNs9K_CLbnZ2dnUVZ_u_inZ2d@comcast.com... > Pegasus (MVP) wrote: >> "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message >> news:ppmdnT9iErmezyLbnZ2dnUVZ_gudnZ2d@comcast.com... >>> Pegasus (MVP) wrote: >>>> "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message >>>> news:c46dnZYc8dDmoiLbnZ2dnUVZ_oaonZ2d@comcast.com... >>>>> I have 2 hard drives in the same computer. Each has it's own copy >>>>> of XP installed. It's a dual boot system. I would like to erase one >>>>> drive and just use the disk for storage. Is this a simple task? My >>>>> main disk is formatted NTFS. The one I want to erase is FAT32. Could >>>>> someone give me a step by step procedure? Google gives answers for >>>>> dual boot with different OS's. Thanks for any help. >>>> You need to supply much more information, e.g. >>>> - What is the drive letter for the unwanted installation? C:? D:? >>>> Other? >>>> - Which partition is active? C:? D:? Other? The command >>>> diskmgmt.msc will show you. >>>> - Where do the hidden boot files reside? C:? D:? Other? >>>> Their names are c:\ntldr, c:\ntdetect.com, c:\boot.ini >>>> (or d:\ntldr, d:\ntdetect.com, d:\boot.ini, etc). >>>> - Do you have a floppy disk drive? >>> the unwanted drive is E. I can only find boot.ini backup located on >>> C and E drives. Can't find the other files. I have "Show hidden files " >>> checked. The E drive is active. (C is "system"). I do have a floppy >>> drive. Thanks for help. >> >> We're getting a little closer. The boot files are, of course, >> on your hard disk. If they weren't then Windows would >> not boot! To locate them, do this: >> - Click Start/Run/cmd {OK} >> - Type these commands: >> attrib c:\nt*.*{Enter} >> attrib c:\*.ini{Enter} >> attrib e:\nt*.*{Enter} >> attrib e:\*.ini{Enter} >> type c:\boot.ini >> type e:\boot.ini >> - Report all the results. >> >> > Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600] > © Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp. > > C:\Documents and Settings\Edward>attrib c:\nt*.* > A SHR C:\NTDETECT.COM > A SHR C:\ntldr > > C:\Documents and Settings\Edward>c:\*.ini > The system cannot find the path specified. > > C:\Documents and Settings\Edward>attrib c:\*.ini > SH C:\boot.ini > > C:\Documents and Settings\Edward>attrib e:\nt*.* > File not found - E:\nt*.* > > C:\Documents and Settings\Edward>attrib e:\*.ini > File not found - E:\*.ini > > C:\Documents and Settings\Edward>type c:\boot.ini > [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 Home > Edition" > /noexecute=optin /fastdetect > multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(2)\WINDOWS="xp2" /? > > C:\Documents and Settings\Edward>type e:\boot.ini > The system cannot find the file specified. > > C:\Documents and Settings\Edward> > > Does this help? Yes, it helps, although the answers you supply appear to be at variance with your previous report that drive E: is the active partition. You should now take up JS's suggestion and disconnect the cable to the disk where partition E: resides and report if WinXP Home still boots normally.
Guest JS Posted August 12, 2007 Posted August 12, 2007 Re: remove dual boot I also should mention to check you applications load OK while your at it. I think Pegasus and I are basically thinking along similar lines so I follow that post as well. Idea is that if the drive you want to keep XP on (I'll call it the main drive) is OK then I'd take a slower and probably over cautious approach in that my next step would then be to disconnect the main drive, connect the drive the you want to remove Windows from (it should now be the only drive connected) and boot from the Windows CD and do basically a clean install but when you reach the point about choosing the location to install you will select 'D' option to delete the partition. The reason I choose the long way is that there is no way you can accidentally delete Windows on the drive you wish to keep. Then after you have deleted the partition you can shutdown the PC, connect both drives, boot to Windows and use Disk Management to create a new partition on the second drive and format it. But I'm getting ahead of my self. JS "JS" <@> wrote in message news:%23CGl%23iR3HHA.600@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... > One thing you can try first is to disconnect the cable to the second drive > and see if you are able to boot from the drive you wish to keep Windows > on. If you can accomplish this (boot to Windows) without problems then > you know it's safe to delete the contents of the second drive. > > As to how to delete/repartition the second drive I wait until you report > back. > > JS > > "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message > news:c46dnZYc8dDmoiLbnZ2dnUVZ_oaonZ2d@comcast.com... >> I have 2 hard drives in the same computer. Each has it's own copy of >> XP installed. It's a dual boot system. I would like to erase one drive >> and just use the disk for storage. Is this a simple task? My main disk is >> formatted NTFS. The one I want to erase is FAT32. Could someone give me a >> step by step procedure? Google gives answers for dual boot with different >> OS's. Thanks for any help. > >
Guest Ken Blake, MVP Posted August 12, 2007 Posted August 12, 2007 Re: remove dual boot On Sun, 12 Aug 2007 21:25:34 +0200, "Pegasus \(MVP\)" <I.can@fly.com> wrote: > > "Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.am.invalid.domain> wrote in message > news:0rkub39co5kifoks8i5okd0m5b2blp5oup@4ax.com... > > On Sun, 12 Aug 2007 10:12:49 -0700, Ed Mc <namvtn@noway.com> wrote: > > > >> I have 2 hard drives in the same computer. > >> Each has it's own copy of XP installed. It's a > >> dual boot system. I would like to erase one drive > >> and just use the disk for storage. Is this a > >> simple task? > > > > > > Sure. > > > > > >> My main disk is formatted NTFS. The > >> one I want to erase is FAT32. Could someone give > >> me a step by step procedure? G > > > > > > > > 1. Boot to the main NTFS drive. > > 2. Right-click on My Computer and choose Manage. > > 3. Click Disk Management. > > 4. In the lower pane, right-click on the drive you want to "delete" > > and choose format. > > > > Be aware that that causes the loss of everything on the drive, so if > > there's anything you need, back it up first. > > > > Then you will also want to disable the choice of booting to that > > drive. Run MSCONFIG, go to the boot.ini tab, and click "Check all boot > > paths." > > > > -- > > Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP Windows - Shell/User > > Please Reply to the Newsgroup > > I think this poster's problem requires a little more attention > because it appears that the installation he wishes to remove > happens to reside on the active volume. He said he has two physical drives. I read it as his wanting to remove the installation on the secondary drive. Do you see something I don't? > Formatting it without > taking prior precautions might make the machine unbootable. > -- Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP Windows - Shell/User Please Reply to the Newsgroup
Guest Pegasus \(MVP\) Posted August 12, 2007 Posted August 12, 2007 Re: remove dual boot "Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.am.invalid.domain> wrote in message news:ee0vb3p3h59tamm7d8jkhlp1pu7lv7k2ip@4ax.com... > On Sun, 12 Aug 2007 21:25:34 +0200, "Pegasus \(MVP\)" <I.can@fly.com> > wrote: > >> >> "Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.am.invalid.domain> wrote in message >> news:0rkub39co5kifoks8i5okd0m5b2blp5oup@4ax.com... >> > On Sun, 12 Aug 2007 10:12:49 -0700, Ed Mc <namvtn@noway.com> wrote: >> > >> >> I have 2 hard drives in the same computer. >> >> Each has it's own copy of XP installed. It's a >> >> dual boot system. I would like to erase one drive >> >> and just use the disk for storage. Is this a >> >> simple task? >> > >> > >> > Sure. >> > >> > >> >> My main disk is formatted NTFS. The >> >> one I want to erase is FAT32. Could someone give >> >> me a step by step procedure? G >> > >> > >> > >> > 1. Boot to the main NTFS drive. >> > 2. Right-click on My Computer and choose Manage. >> > 3. Click Disk Management. >> > 4. In the lower pane, right-click on the drive you want to "delete" >> > and choose format. >> > >> > Be aware that that causes the loss of everything on the drive, so if >> > there's anything you need, back it up first. >> > >> > Then you will also want to disable the choice of booting to that >> > drive. Run MSCONFIG, go to the boot.ini tab, and click "Check all boot >> > paths." >> > >> > -- >> > Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP Windows - Shell/User >> > Please Reply to the Newsgroup >> >> I think this poster's problem requires a little more attention >> because it appears that the installation he wishes to remove >> happens to reside on the active volume. > > > He said he has two physical drives. I read it as his wanting to remove > the installation on the secondary drive. Do you see something I don't? > > >> Formatting it without >> taking prior precautions might make the machine unbootable. >> > > -- > Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP Windows - Shell/User > Please Reply to the Newsgroup The OP's subsequent reply suggested that the system partition on his first disk was not active but the one on the second disk was. However, further replies threw some doubt on this - see my own branch of this thread.
Guest Ed Mc Posted August 12, 2007 Posted August 12, 2007 Re: remove dual boot Ed Mc wrote: > I have 2 hard drives in the same computer. Each has it's own copy > of XP installed. It's a dual boot system. I would like to erase one > drive and just use the disk for storage. Is this a simple task? My main > disk is formatted NTFS. The one I want to erase is FAT32. Could someone > give me a step by step procedure? Google gives answers for dual boot > with different OS's. Thanks for any help. > JS wrote: >> I also should mention to check you applications load OK while your at it. >> I think Pegasus and I are basically thinking along similar lines so I follow >> that post as well. >> >> Idea is that if the drive you want to keep XP on (I'll call it the main >> drive) is OK then I'd take a slower and probably over cautious approach in >> that my next step would then be to disconnect the main drive, connect the >> drive the you want to remove Windows from (it should now be the only drive >> connected) and boot from the Windows CD and do basically a clean install but >> when you reach the point about choosing the location to install you will >> select 'D' option to delete the partition. The reason I choose the long way >> is that there is no way you can accidentally delete Windows on the drive you >> wish to keep. >> >> Then after you have deleted the partition you can shutdown the PC, connect >> both drives, boot to Windows and use Disk Management to create a new >> partition on the second drive and format it. But I'm getting ahead of my >> self. >> >> JS >> >> >> "JS" <@> wrote in message news:%23CGl%23iR3HHA.600@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... >>> One thing you can try first is to disconnect the cable to the second drive >>> and see if you are able to boot from the drive you wish to keep Windows >>> on. If you can accomplish this (boot to Windows) without problems then >>> you know it's safe to delete the contents of the second drive. >>> >>> As to how to delete/repartition the second drive I wait until you report >>> back. >>> >>> JS >>> >>> "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message >>> news:c46dnZYc8dDmoiLbnZ2dnUVZ_oaonZ2d@comcast.com... >>>> I have 2 hard drives in the same computer. Each has it's own copy of >>>> XP installed. It's a dual boot system. I would like to erase one drive >>>> and just use the disk for storage. Is this a simple task? My main disk is >>>> formatted NTFS. The one I want to erase is FAT32. Could someone give me a >>>> step by step procedure? Google gives answers for dual boot with different >>>> OS's. Thanks for any help. >>> >> >> >> > Diskmgmt.msc indicates that my E: drive is active. My C: drive is simply Healthy(System). > If I disconnect my slave disk, (where E: drive is located), computer won't boot up. It sees no drives whatsoever. I'm afraid things are really screwed up! Thanks for help, everyone.
Guest Pegasus \(MVP\) Posted August 13, 2007 Posted August 13, 2007 Re: remove dual boot "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message news:bsudneH8p8KoCCLbnZ2dnUVZ_t7inZ2d@comcast.com... > Ed Mc wrote: >> I have 2 hard drives in the same computer. Each has it's own copy of >> XP installed. It's a dual boot system. I would like to erase one drive >> and just use the disk for storage. Is this a simple task? My main disk is >> formatted NTFS. The one I want to erase is FAT32. Could someone give me a >> step by step procedure? Google gives answers for dual boot with different >> OS's. Thanks for any help. >> JS wrote: >>> I also should mention to check you applications load OK while your at >>> it. >>> I think Pegasus and I are basically thinking along similar lines so I >>> follow that post as well. >>> >>> Idea is that if the drive you want to keep XP on (I'll call it the main >>> drive) is OK then I'd take a slower and probably over cautious approach >>> in that my next step would then be to disconnect the main drive, connect >>> the drive the you want to remove Windows from (it should now be the only >>> drive connected) and boot from the Windows CD and do basically a clean >>> install but when you reach the point about choosing the location to >>> install you will select 'D' option to delete the partition. The reason I >>> choose the long way is that there is no way you can accidentally delete >>> Windows on the drive you wish to keep. >>> >>> Then after you have deleted the partition you can shutdown the PC, >>> connect both drives, boot to Windows and use Disk Management to create a >>> new partition on the second drive and format it. But I'm getting ahead >>> of my self. >>> >>> JS >>> >>> >>> "JS" <@> wrote in message >>> news:%23CGl%23iR3HHA.600@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... >>>> One thing you can try first is to disconnect the cable to the second >>>> drive and see if you are able to boot from the drive you wish to keep >>>> Windows on. If you can accomplish this (boot to Windows) without >>>> problems then you know it's safe to delete the contents of the second >>>> drive. >>>> >>>> As to how to delete/repartition the second drive I wait until you >>>> report back. >>>> >>>> JS >>>> >>>> "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message >>>> news:c46dnZYc8dDmoiLbnZ2dnUVZ_oaonZ2d@comcast.com... >>>>> I have 2 hard drives in the same computer. Each has it's own copy >>>>> of XP installed. It's a dual boot system. I would like to erase one >>>>> drive and just use the disk for storage. Is this a simple task? My >>>>> main disk is formatted NTFS. The one I want to erase is FAT32. Could >>>>> someone give me a step by step procedure? Google gives answers for >>>>> dual boot with different OS's. Thanks for any help. >>>> >>> >>> >>> >> Diskmgmt.msc indicates that my E: drive is active. My C: drive is simply >> Healthy(System). >> If I disconnect my slave disk, (where E: drive is located), computer >> won't boot up. It sees no drives whatsoever. I'm afraid things are really >> screwed up! Thanks for help, everyone. > Let's look at this calmly: - Why should things be screwed up? Reconnecting the slave disk should restore them to normal! - What makes you think that the PC sees no drives whatsoever? - What message(s) do you see on the screen with only the slave disk connected? - When only the slave disk is connected, what disks does the BIOS report? Primary? Secondary? Master? Slave?
Guest Ed Mc Posted August 13, 2007 Posted August 13, 2007 Re: remove dual boot Pegasus (MVP) wrote: > "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message > news:bsudneH8p8KoCCLbnZ2dnUVZ_t7inZ2d@comcast.com... >> Ed Mc wrote: >>> I have 2 hard drives in the same computer. Each has it's own copy of >>> XP installed. It's a dual boot system. I would like to erase one drive >>> and just use the disk for storage. Is this a simple task? My main disk is >>> formatted NTFS. The one I want to erase is FAT32. Could someone give me a >>> step by step procedure? Google gives answers for dual boot with different >>> OS's. Thanks for any help. >>> JS wrote: >>>> I also should mention to check you applications load OK while your at >>>> it. >>>> I think Pegasus and I are basically thinking along similar lines so I >>>> follow that post as well. >>>> >>>> Idea is that if the drive you want to keep XP on (I'll call it the main >>>> drive) is OK then I'd take a slower and probably over cautious approach >>>> in that my next step would then be to disconnect the main drive, connect >>>> the drive the you want to remove Windows from (it should now be the only >>>> drive connected) and boot from the Windows CD and do basically a clean >>>> install but when you reach the point about choosing the location to >>>> install you will select 'D' option to delete the partition. The reason I >>>> choose the long way is that there is no way you can accidentally delete >>>> Windows on the drive you wish to keep. >>>> >>>> Then after you have deleted the partition you can shutdown the PC, >>>> connect both drives, boot to Windows and use Disk Management to create a >>>> new partition on the second drive and format it. But I'm getting ahead >>>> of my self. >>>> >>>> JS >>>> >>>> >>>> "JS" <@> wrote in message >>>> news:%23CGl%23iR3HHA.600@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... >>>>> One thing you can try first is to disconnect the cable to the second >>>>> drive and see if you are able to boot from the drive you wish to keep >>>>> Windows on. If you can accomplish this (boot to Windows) without >>>>> problems then you know it's safe to delete the contents of the second >>>>> drive. >>>>> >>>>> As to how to delete/repartition the second drive I wait until you >>>>> report back. >>>>> >>>>> JS >>>>> >>>>> "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message >>>>> news:c46dnZYc8dDmoiLbnZ2dnUVZ_oaonZ2d@comcast.com... >>>>>> I have 2 hard drives in the same computer. Each has it's own copy >>>>>> of XP installed. It's a dual boot system. I would like to erase one >>>>>> drive and just use the disk for storage. Is this a simple task? My >>>>>> main disk is formatted NTFS. The one I want to erase is FAT32. Could >>>>>> someone give me a step by step procedure? Google gives answers for >>>>>> dual boot with different OS's. Thanks for any help. >>>> >>>> >>> Diskmgmt.msc indicates that my E: drive is active. My C: drive is simply >>> Healthy(System). >>> If I disconnect my slave disk, (where E: drive is located), computer >>> won't boot up. It sees no drives whatsoever. I'm afraid things are really >>> screwed up! Thanks for help, everyone. > > Let's look at this calmly: > - Why should things be screwed up? Reconnecting the slave > disk should restore them to normal! > - What makes you think that the PC sees no drives whatsoever? > - What message(s) do you see on the screen with only the slave disk > connected? > - When only the slave disk is connected, what disks does the > BIOS report? Primary? Secondary? Master? Slave? > > With only the slave drive connected BIOS sees it and cdrom. With the slave disconnected and my main drive connected BIOS sees no drives at all. I think I'm beginning to understand my boot record must be on my slave drive. Unfortunately this is the drive I want to purge. I really appreciate everyone's help and patience.
Guest Pegasus \(MVP\) Posted August 13, 2007 Posted August 13, 2007 Re: remove dual boot "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message news:pP2dnd0kcvc8613bnZ2dnUVZ_uiknZ2d@comcast.com... > Pegasus (MVP) wrote: >> "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message >> news:bsudneH8p8KoCCLbnZ2dnUVZ_t7inZ2d@comcast.com... >>> Ed Mc wrote: >>>> I have 2 hard drives in the same computer. Each has it's own copy >>>> of XP installed. It's a dual boot system. I would like to erase one >>>> drive and just use the disk for storage. Is this a simple task? My main >>>> disk is formatted NTFS. The one I want to erase is FAT32. Could someone >>>> give me a step by step procedure? Google gives answers for dual boot >>>> with different OS's. Thanks for any help. >>>> JS wrote: >>>>> I also should mention to check you applications load OK while your at >>>>> it. >>>>> I think Pegasus and I are basically thinking along similar lines so I >>>>> follow that post as well. >>>>> >>>>> Idea is that if the drive you want to keep XP on (I'll call it the >>>>> main drive) is OK then I'd take a slower and probably over cautious >>>>> approach in that my next step would then be to disconnect the main >>>>> drive, connect the drive the you want to remove Windows from (it >>>>> should now be the only drive connected) and boot from the Windows CD >>>>> and do basically a clean install but when you reach the point about >>>>> choosing the location to install you will select 'D' option to delete >>>>> the partition. The reason I choose the long way is that there is no >>>>> way you can accidentally delete Windows on the drive you wish to keep. >>>>> >>>>> Then after you have deleted the partition you can shutdown the PC, >>>>> connect both drives, boot to Windows and use Disk Management to create >>>>> a new partition on the second drive and format it. But I'm getting >>>>> ahead of my self. >>>>> >>>>> JS >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> "JS" <@> wrote in message >>>>> news:%23CGl%23iR3HHA.600@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... >>>>>> One thing you can try first is to disconnect the cable to the second >>>>>> drive and see if you are able to boot from the drive you wish to keep >>>>>> Windows on. If you can accomplish this (boot to Windows) without >>>>>> problems then you know it's safe to delete the contents of the second >>>>>> drive. >>>>>> >>>>>> As to how to delete/repartition the second drive I wait until you >>>>>> report back. >>>>>> >>>>>> JS >>>>>> >>>>>> "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message >>>>>> news:c46dnZYc8dDmoiLbnZ2dnUVZ_oaonZ2d@comcast.com... >>>>>>> I have 2 hard drives in the same computer. Each has it's own >>>>>>> copy of XP installed. It's a dual boot system. I would like to erase >>>>>>> one drive and just use the disk for storage. Is this a simple task? >>>>>>> My main disk is formatted NTFS. The one I want to erase is FAT32. >>>>>>> Could someone give me a step by step procedure? Google gives answers >>>>>>> for dual boot with different OS's. Thanks for any help. >>>>> >>>>> >>>> Diskmgmt.msc indicates that my E: drive is active. My C: drive is >>>> simply Healthy(System). >>>> If I disconnect my slave disk, (where E: drive is located), computer >>>> won't boot up. It sees no drives whatsoever. I'm afraid things are >>>> really screwed up! Thanks for help, everyone. >> >> Let's look at this calmly: >> - Why should things be screwed up? Reconnecting the slave >> disk should restore them to normal! >> - What makes you think that the PC sees no drives whatsoever? >> - What message(s) do you see on the screen with only the slave disk >> connected? >> - When only the slave disk is connected, what disks does the >> BIOS report? Primary? Secondary? Master? Slave? > With only the slave drive connected BIOS sees it and cdrom. With the slave > disconnected and my main drive connected BIOS sees no drives at all. I > think I'm beginning to understand my boot record must be on my slave > drive. Unfortunately this is the drive I want to purge. > I really appreciate everyone's help and patience. No, that's not the way it works. Here is the order of things in a PC: 1. The BIOS must recognise a primary master disk. 2. The primary master disk must have a Master Boot Record (MBR). 3. The primary master disk must have appropriate boot files (ntldr, ntdetect.com and boot.ini in the case of Windows). 4. The folder referenced by boot.ini must have a valid Windows installation. Each item is fully dependent on each of its predecessors. You report that your BIOS will no longer recognise your hard disks when both are plugged in. The PC therefore fails at Step 1 above. This usually happens when one of the disk is incorrectly jumpered (Slave rather than master) or if the 50-core IDE cable is plugged in back to front. You must resolve this matter before you can proceed.
Guest Ed Mc Posted August 13, 2007 Posted August 13, 2007 Re: remove dual boot Pegasus (MVP) wrote: > "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message > news:pP2dnd0kcvc8613bnZ2dnUVZ_uiknZ2d@comcast.com... >> Pegasus (MVP) wrote: >>> "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message >>> news:bsudneH8p8KoCCLbnZ2dnUVZ_t7inZ2d@comcast.com... >>>> Ed Mc wrote: >>>>> I have 2 hard drives in the same computer. Each has it's own copy >>>>> of XP installed. It's a dual boot system. I would like to erase one >>>>> drive and just use the disk for storage. Is this a simple task? My main >>>>> disk is formatted NTFS. The one I want to erase is FAT32. Could someone >>>>> give me a step by step procedure? Google gives answers for dual boot >>>>> with different OS's. Thanks for any help. >>>>> JS wrote: >>>>>> I also should mention to check you applications load OK while your at >>>>>> it. >>>>>> I think Pegasus and I are basically thinking along similar lines so I >>>>>> follow that post as well. >>>>>> >>>>>> Idea is that if the drive you want to keep XP on (I'll call it the >>>>>> main drive) is OK then I'd take a slower and probably over cautious >>>>>> approach in that my next step would then be to disconnect the main >>>>>> drive, connect the drive the you want to remove Windows from (it >>>>>> should now be the only drive connected) and boot from the Windows CD >>>>>> and do basically a clean install but when you reach the point about >>>>>> choosing the location to install you will select 'D' option to delete >>>>>> the partition. The reason I choose the long way is that there is no >>>>>> way you can accidentally delete Windows on the drive you wish to keep. >>>>>> >>>>>> Then after you have deleted the partition you can shutdown the PC, >>>>>> connect both drives, boot to Windows and use Disk Management to create >>>>>> a new partition on the second drive and format it. But I'm getting >>>>>> ahead of my self. >>>>>> >>>>>> JS >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> "JS" <@> wrote in message >>>>>> news:%23CGl%23iR3HHA.600@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... >>>>>>> One thing you can try first is to disconnect the cable to the second >>>>>>> drive and see if you are able to boot from the drive you wish to keep >>>>>>> Windows on. If you can accomplish this (boot to Windows) without >>>>>>> problems then you know it's safe to delete the contents of the second >>>>>>> drive. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> As to how to delete/repartition the second drive I wait until you >>>>>>> report back. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> JS >>>>>>> >>>>>>> "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message >>>>>>> news:c46dnZYc8dDmoiLbnZ2dnUVZ_oaonZ2d@comcast.com... >>>>>>>> I have 2 hard drives in the same computer. Each has it's own >>>>>>>> copy of XP installed. It's a dual boot system. I would like to erase >>>>>>>> one drive and just use the disk for storage. Is this a simple task? >>>>>>>> My main disk is formatted NTFS. The one I want to erase is FAT32. >>>>>>>> Could someone give me a step by step procedure? Google gives answers >>>>>>>> for dual boot with different OS's. Thanks for any help. >>>>>> >>>>> Diskmgmt.msc indicates that my E: drive is active. My C: drive is >>>>> simply Healthy(System). >>>>> If I disconnect my slave disk, (where E: drive is located), computer >>>>> won't boot up. It sees no drives whatsoever. I'm afraid things are >>>>> really screwed up! Thanks for help, everyone. >>> Let's look at this calmly: >>> - Why should things be screwed up? Reconnecting the slave >>> disk should restore them to normal! >>> - What makes you think that the PC sees no drives whatsoever? >>> - What message(s) do you see on the screen with only the slave disk >>> connected? >>> - When only the slave disk is connected, what disks does the >>> BIOS report? Primary? Secondary? Master? Slave? >> With only the slave drive connected BIOS sees it and cdrom. With the slave >> disconnected and my main drive connected BIOS sees no drives at all. I >> think I'm beginning to understand my boot record must be on my slave >> drive. Unfortunately this is the drive I want to purge. >> I really appreciate everyone's help and patience. > > No, that's not the way it works. Here is the order of > things in a PC: > 1. The BIOS must recognise a primary master disk. > 2. The primary master disk must have a Master Boot > Record (MBR). > 3. The primary master disk must have appropriate > boot files (ntldr, ntdetect.com and boot.ini in the > case of Windows). > 4. The folder referenced by boot.ini must have a valid > Windows installation. > > Each item is fully dependent on each of its predecessors. > > You report that your BIOS will no longer recognise your > hard disks when both are plugged in. The PC therefore > fails at Step 1 above. This usually happens when one of > the disk is incorrectly jumpered (Slave rather than master) > or if the 50-core IDE cable is plugged in back to front. > You must resolve this matter before you can proceed. > > Pegasus, Sorry for the confusion. When BOTH are plugged in BIOS sees all disks. When my main disk (with c:\) is plugged in, by itself, BIOS does NOT see it. When my SLAVE disk is plugged in, by itself, BIOS sees it as secondary. This disk contains E:\, which has the WindowsXP I want to remove. Thanks again.
Guest Pegasus \(MVP\) Posted August 14, 2007 Posted August 14, 2007 Re: remove dual boot "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message news:mb2dnewYdp0HCl3bnZ2dnUVZ_rignZ2d@comcast.com... > Pegasus (MVP) wrote: >> "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message >> news:pP2dnd0kcvc8613bnZ2dnUVZ_uiknZ2d@comcast.com... >>> Pegasus (MVP) wrote: >>>> "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message >>>> news:bsudneH8p8KoCCLbnZ2dnUVZ_t7inZ2d@comcast.com... >>>>> Ed Mc wrote: >>>>>> I have 2 hard drives in the same computer. Each has it's own >>>>>> copy of XP installed. It's a dual boot system. I would like to erase >>>>>> one drive and just use the disk for storage. Is this a simple task? >>>>>> My main disk is formatted NTFS. The one I want to erase is FAT32. >>>>>> Could someone give me a step by step procedure? Google gives answers >>>>>> for dual boot with different OS's. Thanks for any help. >>>>>> JS wrote: >>>>>>> I also should mention to check you applications load OK while your >>>>>>> at it. >>>>>>> I think Pegasus and I are basically thinking along similar lines so >>>>>>> I follow that post as well. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Idea is that if the drive you want to keep XP on (I'll call it the >>>>>>> main drive) is OK then I'd take a slower and probably over cautious >>>>>>> approach in that my next step would then be to disconnect the main >>>>>>> drive, connect the drive the you want to remove Windows from (it >>>>>>> should now be the only drive connected) and boot from the Windows CD >>>>>>> and do basically a clean install but when you reach the point about >>>>>>> choosing the location to install you will select 'D' option to >>>>>>> delete the partition. The reason I choose the long way is that there >>>>>>> is no way you can accidentally delete Windows on the drive you wish >>>>>>> to keep. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Then after you have deleted the partition you can shutdown the PC, >>>>>>> connect both drives, boot to Windows and use Disk Management to >>>>>>> create a new partition on the second drive and format it. But I'm >>>>>>> getting ahead of my self. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> JS >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> "JS" <@> wrote in message >>>>>>> news:%23CGl%23iR3HHA.600@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... >>>>>>>> One thing you can try first is to disconnect the cable to the >>>>>>>> second drive and see if you are able to boot from the drive you >>>>>>>> wish to keep Windows on. If you can accomplish this (boot to >>>>>>>> Windows) without problems then you know it's safe to delete the >>>>>>>> contents of the second drive. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> As to how to delete/repartition the second drive I wait until you >>>>>>>> report back. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> JS >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message >>>>>>>> news:c46dnZYc8dDmoiLbnZ2dnUVZ_oaonZ2d@comcast.com... >>>>>>>>> I have 2 hard drives in the same computer. Each has it's own >>>>>>>>> copy of XP installed. It's a dual boot system. I would like to >>>>>>>>> erase one drive and just use the disk for storage. Is this a >>>>>>>>> simple task? My main disk is formatted NTFS. The one I want to >>>>>>>>> erase is FAT32. Could someone give me a step by step procedure? >>>>>>>>> Google gives answers for dual boot with different OS's. Thanks for >>>>>>>>> any help. >>>>>>> >>>>>> Diskmgmt.msc indicates that my E: drive is active. My C: drive is >>>>>> simply Healthy(System). >>>>>> If I disconnect my slave disk, (where E: drive is located), computer >>>>>> won't boot up. It sees no drives whatsoever. I'm afraid things are >>>>>> really screwed up! Thanks for help, everyone. >>>> Let's look at this calmly: >>>> - Why should things be screwed up? Reconnecting the slave >>>> disk should restore them to normal! >>>> - What makes you think that the PC sees no drives whatsoever? >>>> - What message(s) do you see on the screen with only the slave disk >>>> connected? >>>> - When only the slave disk is connected, what disks does the >>>> BIOS report? Primary? Secondary? Master? Slave? >>> With only the slave drive connected BIOS sees it and cdrom. With the >>> slave disconnected and my main drive connected BIOS sees no drives at >>> all. I think I'm beginning to understand my boot record must be on my >>> slave drive. Unfortunately this is the drive I want to purge. >>> I really appreciate everyone's help and patience. >> >> No, that's not the way it works. Here is the order of >> things in a PC: >> 1. The BIOS must recognise a primary master disk. >> 2. The primary master disk must have a Master Boot >> Record (MBR). >> 3. The primary master disk must have appropriate >> boot files (ntldr, ntdetect.com and boot.ini in the >> case of Windows). >> 4. The folder referenced by boot.ini must have a valid >> Windows installation. >> >> Each item is fully dependent on each of its predecessors. >> >> You report that your BIOS will no longer recognise your >> hard disks when both are plugged in. The PC therefore >> fails at Step 1 above. This usually happens when one of >> the disk is incorrectly jumpered (Slave rather than master) >> or if the 50-core IDE cable is plugged in back to front. >> You must resolve this matter before you can proceed. > Pegasus, > Sorry for the confusion. When BOTH are plugged in BIOS sees all disks. > When my main disk (with c:\) is plugged in, by itself, BIOS does NOT see > it. When my SLAVE disk is plugged in, by itself, BIOS sees it as > secondary. This disk contains E:\, which has the WindowsXP I want to > remove. Thanks again. If the BIOS does not see your primary master disks by itself then you need to change its jumper setting to "Single Disk" or words to this effect. If unsure, try every position until you find the one that lets the BIOS see the disk.
Guest Ed Mc Posted August 14, 2007 Posted August 14, 2007 Re: remove dual boot Pegasus (MVP) wrote: > "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message > news:mb2dnewYdp0HCl3bnZ2dnUVZ_rignZ2d@comcast.com... >> Pegasus (MVP) wrote: >>> "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message >>> news:pP2dnd0kcvc8613bnZ2dnUVZ_uiknZ2d@comcast.com... >>>> Pegasus (MVP) wrote: >>>>> "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message >>>>> news:bsudneH8p8KoCCLbnZ2dnUVZ_t7inZ2d@comcast.com... >>>>>> Ed Mc wrote: >>>>>>> I have 2 hard drives in the same computer. Each has it's own >>>>>>> copy of XP installed. It's a dual boot system. I would like to erase >>>>>>> one drive and just use the disk for storage. Is this a simple task? >>>>>>> My main disk is formatted NTFS. The one I want to erase is FAT32. >>>>>>> Could someone give me a step by step procedure? Google gives answers >>>>>>> for dual boot with different OS's. Thanks for any help. >>>>>>> JS wrote: >>>>>>>> I also should mention to check you applications load OK while your >>>>>>>> at it. >>>>>>>> I think Pegasus and I are basically thinking along similar lines so >>>>>>>> I follow that post as well. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Idea is that if the drive you want to keep XP on (I'll call it the >>>>>>>> main drive) is OK then I'd take a slower and probably over cautious >>>>>>>> approach in that my next step would then be to disconnect the main >>>>>>>> drive, connect the drive the you want to remove Windows from (it >>>>>>>> should now be the only drive connected) and boot from the Windows CD >>>>>>>> and do basically a clean install but when you reach the point about >>>>>>>> choosing the location to install you will select 'D' option to >>>>>>>> delete the partition. The reason I choose the long way is that there >>>>>>>> is no way you can accidentally delete Windows on the drive you wish >>>>>>>> to keep. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Then after you have deleted the partition you can shutdown the PC, >>>>>>>> connect both drives, boot to Windows and use Disk Management to >>>>>>>> create a new partition on the second drive and format it. But I'm >>>>>>>> getting ahead of my self. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> JS >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> "JS" <@> wrote in message >>>>>>>> news:%23CGl%23iR3HHA.600@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... >>>>>>>>> One thing you can try first is to disconnect the cable to the >>>>>>>>> second drive and see if you are able to boot from the drive you >>>>>>>>> wish to keep Windows on. If you can accomplish this (boot to >>>>>>>>> Windows) without problems then you know it's safe to delete the >>>>>>>>> contents of the second drive. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> As to how to delete/repartition the second drive I wait until you >>>>>>>>> report back. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> JS >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message >>>>>>>>> news:c46dnZYc8dDmoiLbnZ2dnUVZ_oaonZ2d@comcast.com... >>>>>>>>>> I have 2 hard drives in the same computer. Each has it's own >>>>>>>>>> copy of XP installed. It's a dual boot system. I would like to >>>>>>>>>> erase one drive and just use the disk for storage. Is this a >>>>>>>>>> simple task? My main disk is formatted NTFS. The one I want to >>>>>>>>>> erase is FAT32. Could someone give me a step by step procedure? >>>>>>>>>> Google gives answers for dual boot with different OS's. Thanks for >>>>>>>>>> any help. >>>>>>> Diskmgmt.msc indicates that my E: drive is active. My C: drive is >>>>>>> simply Healthy(System). >>>>>>> If I disconnect my slave disk, (where E: drive is located), computer >>>>>>> won't boot up. It sees no drives whatsoever. I'm afraid things are >>>>>>> really screwed up! Thanks for help, everyone. >>>>> Let's look at this calmly: >>>>> - Why should things be screwed up? Reconnecting the slave >>>>> disk should restore them to normal! >>>>> - What makes you think that the PC sees no drives whatsoever? >>>>> - What message(s) do you see on the screen with only the slave disk >>>>> connected? >>>>> - When only the slave disk is connected, what disks does the >>>>> BIOS report? Primary? Secondary? Master? Slave? >>>> With only the slave drive connected BIOS sees it and cdrom. With the >>>> slave disconnected and my main drive connected BIOS sees no drives at >>>> all. I think I'm beginning to understand my boot record must be on my >>>> slave drive. Unfortunately this is the drive I want to purge. >>>> I really appreciate everyone's help and patience. >>> No, that's not the way it works. Here is the order of >>> things in a PC: >>> 1. The BIOS must recognise a primary master disk. >>> 2. The primary master disk must have a Master Boot >>> Record (MBR). >>> 3. The primary master disk must have appropriate >>> boot files (ntldr, ntdetect.com and boot.ini in the >>> case of Windows). >>> 4. The folder referenced by boot.ini must have a valid >>> Windows installation. >>> >>> Each item is fully dependent on each of its predecessors. >>> >>> You report that your BIOS will no longer recognise your >>> hard disks when both are plugged in. The PC therefore >>> fails at Step 1 above. This usually happens when one of >>> the disk is incorrectly jumpered (Slave rather than master) >>> or if the 50-core IDE cable is plugged in back to front. >>> You must resolve this matter before you can proceed. >> Pegasus, >> Sorry for the confusion. When BOTH are plugged in BIOS sees all disks. >> When my main disk (with c:\) is plugged in, by itself, BIOS does NOT see >> it. When my SLAVE disk is plugged in, by itself, BIOS sees it as >> secondary. This disk contains E:\, which has the WindowsXP I want to >> remove. Thanks again. > > If the BIOS does not see your primary master disks > by itself then you need to change its jumper setting > to "Single Disk" or words to this effect. If unsure, try > every position until you find the one that lets the BIOS > see the disk. > > Thanks, Pegasus. I disconnected my slave drive, removed the jumper shunt from the primary drive making it a single disk. Windows booted right up after the "dual boot" option screen. Can I now simply format and reinstall the other disk and remove entry from boot. ini?
Guest Pegasus \(MVP\) Posted August 14, 2007 Posted August 14, 2007 Re: remove dual boot "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message news:-tudnUpCbbt6e1zbnZ2dnUVZ_hCdnZ2d@comcast.com... > Pegasus (MVP) wrote: >> "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message >> news:mb2dnewYdp0HCl3bnZ2dnUVZ_rignZ2d@comcast.com... >>> Pegasus (MVP) wrote: >>>> "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message >>>> news:pP2dnd0kcvc8613bnZ2dnUVZ_uiknZ2d@comcast.com... >>>>> Pegasus (MVP) wrote: >>>>>> "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message >>>>>> news:bsudneH8p8KoCCLbnZ2dnUVZ_t7inZ2d@comcast.com... >>>>>>> Ed Mc wrote: >>>>>>>> I have 2 hard drives in the same computer. Each has it's own >>>>>>>> copy of XP installed. It's a dual boot system. I would like to >>>>>>>> erase one drive and just use the disk for storage. Is this a simple >>>>>>>> task? My main disk is formatted NTFS. The one I want to erase is >>>>>>>> FAT32. Could someone give me a step by step procedure? Google gives >>>>>>>> answers for dual boot with different OS's. Thanks for any help. >>>>>>>> JS wrote: >>>>>>>>> I also should mention to check you applications load OK while your >>>>>>>>> at it. >>>>>>>>> I think Pegasus and I are basically thinking along similar lines >>>>>>>>> so I follow that post as well. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Idea is that if the drive you want to keep XP on (I'll call it the >>>>>>>>> main drive) is OK then I'd take a slower and probably over >>>>>>>>> cautious approach in that my next step would then be to disconnect >>>>>>>>> the main drive, connect the drive the you want to remove Windows >>>>>>>>> from (it should now be the only drive connected) and boot from the >>>>>>>>> Windows CD and do basically a clean install but when you reach the >>>>>>>>> point about choosing the location to install you will select 'D' >>>>>>>>> option to delete the partition. The reason I choose the long way >>>>>>>>> is that there is no way you can accidentally delete Windows on the >>>>>>>>> drive you wish to keep. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Then after you have deleted the partition you can shutdown the PC, >>>>>>>>> connect both drives, boot to Windows and use Disk Management to >>>>>>>>> create a new partition on the second drive and format it. But I'm >>>>>>>>> getting ahead of my self. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> JS >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> "JS" <@> wrote in message >>>>>>>>> news:%23CGl%23iR3HHA.600@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... >>>>>>>>>> One thing you can try first is to disconnect the cable to the >>>>>>>>>> second drive and see if you are able to boot from the drive you >>>>>>>>>> wish to keep Windows on. If you can accomplish this (boot to >>>>>>>>>> Windows) without problems then you know it's safe to delete the >>>>>>>>>> contents of the second drive. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> As to how to delete/repartition the second drive I wait until you >>>>>>>>>> report back. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> JS >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message >>>>>>>>>> news:c46dnZYc8dDmoiLbnZ2dnUVZ_oaonZ2d@comcast.com... >>>>>>>>>>> I have 2 hard drives in the same computer. Each has it's >>>>>>>>>>> own copy of XP installed. It's a dual boot system. I would like >>>>>>>>>>> to erase one drive and just use the disk for storage. Is this a >>>>>>>>>>> simple task? My main disk is formatted NTFS. The one I want to >>>>>>>>>>> erase is FAT32. Could someone give me a step by step procedure? >>>>>>>>>>> Google gives answers for dual boot with different OS's. Thanks >>>>>>>>>>> for any help. >>>>>>>> Diskmgmt.msc indicates that my E: drive is active. My C: drive is >>>>>>>> simply Healthy(System). >>>>>>>> If I disconnect my slave disk, (where E: drive is located), >>>>>>>> computer won't boot up. It sees no drives whatsoever. I'm afraid >>>>>>>> things are really screwed up! Thanks for help, everyone. >>>>>> Let's look at this calmly: >>>>>> - Why should things be screwed up? Reconnecting the slave >>>>>> disk should restore them to normal! >>>>>> - What makes you think that the PC sees no drives whatsoever? >>>>>> - What message(s) do you see on the screen with only the slave disk >>>>>> connected? >>>>>> - When only the slave disk is connected, what disks does the >>>>>> BIOS report? Primary? Secondary? Master? Slave? >>>>> With only the slave drive connected BIOS sees it and cdrom. With the >>>>> slave disconnected and my main drive connected BIOS sees no drives at >>>>> all. I think I'm beginning to understand my boot record must be on my >>>>> slave drive. Unfortunately this is the drive I want to purge. >>>>> I really appreciate everyone's help and patience. >>>> No, that's not the way it works. Here is the order of >>>> things in a PC: >>>> 1. The BIOS must recognise a primary master disk. >>>> 2. The primary master disk must have a Master Boot >>>> Record (MBR). >>>> 3. The primary master disk must have appropriate >>>> boot files (ntldr, ntdetect.com and boot.ini in the >>>> case of Windows). >>>> 4. The folder referenced by boot.ini must have a valid >>>> Windows installation. >>>> >>>> Each item is fully dependent on each of its predecessors. >>>> >>>> You report that your BIOS will no longer recognise your >>>> hard disks when both are plugged in. The PC therefore >>>> fails at Step 1 above. This usually happens when one of >>>> the disk is incorrectly jumpered (Slave rather than master) >>>> or if the 50-core IDE cable is plugged in back to front. >>>> You must resolve this matter before you can proceed. >>> Pegasus, >>> Sorry for the confusion. When BOTH are plugged in BIOS sees all disks. >>> When my main disk (with c:\) is plugged in, by itself, BIOS does NOT see >>> it. When my SLAVE disk is plugged in, by itself, BIOS sees it as >>> secondary. This disk contains E:\, which has the WindowsXP I want to >>> remove. Thanks again. >> >> If the BIOS does not see your primary master disks >> by itself then you need to change its jumper setting >> to "Single Disk" or words to this effect. If unsure, try >> every position until you find the one that lets the BIOS >> see the disk. > Thanks, Pegasus. > I disconnected my slave drive, removed the jumper shunt from the primary > drive making it a single disk. Windows booted right up after the "dual > boot" option screen. Can I now simply format and reinstall the other disk > and remove entry from boot. ini? Yes, provided you're satisfied that everything works the way it should and that you have access to all your important files, including your EMail files. Please make very, very sure you format the right disk. We've had some posts here recently where the wrong disk got formatted . . .
Guest Ed Mc Posted August 14, 2007 Posted August 14, 2007 Re: remove dual boot Pegasus (MVP) wrote: > "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message > news:-tudnUpCbbt6e1zbnZ2dnUVZ_hCdnZ2d@comcast.com... >> Pegasus (MVP) wrote: >>> "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message >>> news:mb2dnewYdp0HCl3bnZ2dnUVZ_rignZ2d@comcast.com... >>>> Pegasus (MVP) wrote: >>>>> "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message >>>>> news:pP2dnd0kcvc8613bnZ2dnUVZ_uiknZ2d@comcast.com... >>>>>> Pegasus (MVP) wrote: >>>>>>> "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message >>>>>>> news:bsudneH8p8KoCCLbnZ2dnUVZ_t7inZ2d@comcast.com... >>>>>>>> Ed Mc wrote: >>>>>>>>> I have 2 hard drives in the same computer. Each has it's own >>>>>>>>> copy of XP installed. It's a dual boot system. I would like to >>>>>>>>> erase one drive and just use the disk for storage. Is this a simple >>>>>>>>> task? My main disk is formatted NTFS. The one I want to erase is >>>>>>>>> FAT32. Could someone give me a step by step procedure? Google gives >>>>>>>>> answers for dual boot with different OS's. Thanks for any help. >>>>>>>>> JS wrote: >>>>>>>>>> I also should mention to check you applications load OK while your >>>>>>>>>> at it. >>>>>>>>>> I think Pegasus and I are basically thinking along similar lines >>>>>>>>>> so I follow that post as well. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Idea is that if the drive you want to keep XP on (I'll call it the >>>>>>>>>> main drive) is OK then I'd take a slower and probably over >>>>>>>>>> cautious approach in that my next step would then be to disconnect >>>>>>>>>> the main drive, connect the drive the you want to remove Windows >>>>>>>>>> from (it should now be the only drive connected) and boot from the >>>>>>>>>> Windows CD and do basically a clean install but when you reach the >>>>>>>>>> point about choosing the location to install you will select 'D' >>>>>>>>>> option to delete the partition. The reason I choose the long way >>>>>>>>>> is that there is no way you can accidentally delete Windows on the >>>>>>>>>> drive you wish to keep. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Then after you have deleted the partition you can shutdown the PC, >>>>>>>>>> connect both drives, boot to Windows and use Disk Management to >>>>>>>>>> create a new partition on the second drive and format it. But I'm >>>>>>>>>> getting ahead of my self. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> JS >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> "JS" <@> wrote in message >>>>>>>>>> news:%23CGl%23iR3HHA.600@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... >>>>>>>>>>> One thing you can try first is to disconnect the cable to the >>>>>>>>>>> second drive and see if you are able to boot from the drive you >>>>>>>>>>> wish to keep Windows on. If you can accomplish this (boot to >>>>>>>>>>> Windows) without problems then you know it's safe to delete the >>>>>>>>>>> contents of the second drive. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> As to how to delete/repartition the second drive I wait until you >>>>>>>>>>> report back. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> JS >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message >>>>>>>>>>> news:c46dnZYc8dDmoiLbnZ2dnUVZ_oaonZ2d@comcast.com... >>>>>>>>>>>> I have 2 hard drives in the same computer. Each has it's >>>>>>>>>>>> own copy of XP installed. It's a dual boot system. I would like >>>>>>>>>>>> to erase one drive and just use the disk for storage. Is this a >>>>>>>>>>>> simple task? My main disk is formatted NTFS. The one I want to >>>>>>>>>>>> erase is FAT32. Could someone give me a step by step procedure? >>>>>>>>>>>> Google gives answers for dual boot with different OS's. Thanks >>>>>>>>>>>> for any help. >>>>>>>>> Diskmgmt.msc indicates that my E: drive is active. My C: drive is >>>>>>>>> simply Healthy(System). >>>>>>>>> If I disconnect my slave disk, (where E: drive is located), >>>>>>>>> computer won't boot up. It sees no drives whatsoever. I'm afraid >>>>>>>>> things are really screwed up! Thanks for help, everyone. >>>>>>> Let's look at this calmly: >>>>>>> - Why should things be screwed up? Reconnecting the slave >>>>>>> disk should restore them to normal! >>>>>>> - What makes you think that the PC sees no drives whatsoever? >>>>>>> - What message(s) do you see on the screen with only the slave disk >>>>>>> connected? >>>>>>> - When only the slave disk is connected, what disks does the >>>>>>> BIOS report? Primary? Secondary? Master? Slave? >>>>>> With only the slave drive connected BIOS sees it and cdrom. With the >>>>>> slave disconnected and my main drive connected BIOS sees no drives at >>>>>> all. I think I'm beginning to understand my boot record must be on my >>>>>> slave drive. Unfortunately this is the drive I want to purge. >>>>>> I really appreciate everyone's help and patience. >>>>> No, that's not the way it works. Here is the order of >>>>> things in a PC: >>>>> 1. The BIOS must recognise a primary master disk. >>>>> 2. The primary master disk must have a Master Boot >>>>> Record (MBR). >>>>> 3. The primary master disk must have appropriate >>>>> boot files (ntldr, ntdetect.com and boot.ini in the >>>>> case of Windows). >>>>> 4. The folder referenced by boot.ini must have a valid >>>>> Windows installation. >>>>> >>>>> Each item is fully dependent on each of its predecessors. >>>>> >>>>> You report that your BIOS will no longer recognise your >>>>> hard disks when both are plugged in. The PC therefore >>>>> fails at Step 1 above. This usually happens when one of >>>>> the disk is incorrectly jumpered (Slave rather than master) >>>>> or if the 50-core IDE cable is plugged in back to front. >>>>> You must resolve this matter before you can proceed. >>>> Pegasus, >>>> Sorry for the confusion. When BOTH are plugged in BIOS sees all disks. >>>> When my main disk (with c:\) is plugged in, by itself, BIOS does NOT see >>>> it. When my SLAVE disk is plugged in, by itself, BIOS sees it as >>>> secondary. This disk contains E:\, which has the WindowsXP I want to >>>> remove. Thanks again. >>> If the BIOS does not see your primary master disks >>> by itself then you need to change its jumper setting >>> to "Single Disk" or words to this effect. If unsure, try >>> every position until you find the one that lets the BIOS >>> see the disk. >> Thanks, Pegasus. >> I disconnected my slave drive, removed the jumper shunt from the primary >> drive making it a single disk. Windows booted right up after the "dual >> boot" option screen. Can I now simply format and reinstall the other disk >> and remove entry from boot. ini? > > Yes, provided you're satisfied that everything works the way > it should and that you have access to all your important files, > including your EMail files. Please make very, very sure you > format the right disk. We've had some posts here recently > where the wrong disk got formatted . . . > > THANKS PEGASUS, You are a "virtual" lifesaver. Please accept my sincerest thanks and best wishes for you.
Guest Pegasus \(MVP\) Posted August 14, 2007 Posted August 14, 2007 Re: remove dual boot "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message news:IvadndGAd9v2h1_bnZ2dnUVZ_hqdnZ2d@comcast.com... > Pegasus (MVP) wrote: >> "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message >> news:-tudnUpCbbt6e1zbnZ2dnUVZ_hCdnZ2d@comcast.com... >>> Pegasus (MVP) wrote: >>>> "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message >>>> news:mb2dnewYdp0HCl3bnZ2dnUVZ_rignZ2d@comcast.com... >>>>> Pegasus (MVP) wrote: >>>>>> "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message >>>>>> news:pP2dnd0kcvc8613bnZ2dnUVZ_uiknZ2d@comcast.com... >>>>>>> Pegasus (MVP) wrote: >>>>>>>> "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message >>>>>>>> news:bsudneH8p8KoCCLbnZ2dnUVZ_t7inZ2d@comcast.com... >>>>>>>>> Ed Mc wrote: >>>>>>>>>> I have 2 hard drives in the same computer. Each has it's own >>>>>>>>>> copy of XP installed. It's a dual boot system. I would like to >>>>>>>>>> erase one drive and just use the disk for storage. Is this a >>>>>>>>>> simple task? My main disk is formatted NTFS. The one I want to >>>>>>>>>> erase is FAT32. Could someone give me a step by step procedure? >>>>>>>>>> Google gives answers for dual boot with different OS's. Thanks >>>>>>>>>> for any help. >>>>>>>>>> JS wrote: >>>>>>>>>>> I also should mention to check you applications load OK while >>>>>>>>>>> your at it. >>>>>>>>>>> I think Pegasus and I are basically thinking along similar lines >>>>>>>>>>> so I follow that post as well. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Idea is that if the drive you want to keep XP on (I'll call it >>>>>>>>>>> the main drive) is OK then I'd take a slower and probably over >>>>>>>>>>> cautious approach in that my next step would then be to >>>>>>>>>>> disconnect the main drive, connect the drive the you want to >>>>>>>>>>> remove Windows from (it should now be the only drive connected) >>>>>>>>>>> and boot from the Windows CD and do basically a clean install >>>>>>>>>>> but when you reach the point about choosing the location to >>>>>>>>>>> install you will select 'D' option to delete the partition. The >>>>>>>>>>> reason I choose the long way is that there is no way you can >>>>>>>>>>> accidentally delete Windows on the drive you wish to keep. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Then after you have deleted the partition you can shutdown the >>>>>>>>>>> PC, connect both drives, boot to Windows and use Disk Management >>>>>>>>>>> to create a new partition on the second drive and format it. But >>>>>>>>>>> I'm getting ahead of my self. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> JS >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> "JS" <@> wrote in message >>>>>>>>>>> news:%23CGl%23iR3HHA.600@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... >>>>>>>>>>>> One thing you can try first is to disconnect the cable to the >>>>>>>>>>>> second drive and see if you are able to boot from the drive you >>>>>>>>>>>> wish to keep Windows on. If you can accomplish this (boot to >>>>>>>>>>>> Windows) without problems then you know it's safe to delete >>>>>>>>>>>> the contents of the second drive. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> As to how to delete/repartition the second drive I wait until >>>>>>>>>>>> you report back. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> JS >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message >>>>>>>>>>>> news:c46dnZYc8dDmoiLbnZ2dnUVZ_oaonZ2d@comcast.com... >>>>>>>>>>>>> I have 2 hard drives in the same computer. Each has it's >>>>>>>>>>>>> own copy of XP installed. It's a dual boot system. I would >>>>>>>>>>>>> like to erase one drive and just use the disk for storage. Is >>>>>>>>>>>>> this a simple task? My main disk is formatted NTFS. The one I >>>>>>>>>>>>> want to erase is FAT32. Could someone give me a step by step >>>>>>>>>>>>> procedure? Google gives answers for dual boot with different >>>>>>>>>>>>> OS's. Thanks for any help. >>>>>>>>>> Diskmgmt.msc indicates that my E: drive is active. My C: drive is >>>>>>>>>> simply Healthy(System). >>>>>>>>>> If I disconnect my slave disk, (where E: drive is located), >>>>>>>>>> computer won't boot up. It sees no drives whatsoever. I'm afraid >>>>>>>>>> things are really screwed up! Thanks for help, everyone. >>>>>>>> Let's look at this calmly: >>>>>>>> - Why should things be screwed up? Reconnecting the slave >>>>>>>> disk should restore them to normal! >>>>>>>> - What makes you think that the PC sees no drives whatsoever? >>>>>>>> - What message(s) do you see on the screen with only the slave disk >>>>>>>> connected? >>>>>>>> - When only the slave disk is connected, what disks does the >>>>>>>> BIOS report? Primary? Secondary? Master? Slave? >>>>>>> With only the slave drive connected BIOS sees it and cdrom. With the >>>>>>> slave disconnected and my main drive connected BIOS sees no drives >>>>>>> at all. I think I'm beginning to understand my boot record must be >>>>>>> on my slave drive. Unfortunately this is the drive I want to purge. >>>>>>> I really appreciate everyone's help and patience. >>>>>> No, that's not the way it works. Here is the order of >>>>>> things in a PC: >>>>>> 1. The BIOS must recognise a primary master disk. >>>>>> 2. The primary master disk must have a Master Boot >>>>>> Record (MBR). >>>>>> 3. The primary master disk must have appropriate >>>>>> boot files (ntldr, ntdetect.com and boot.ini in the >>>>>> case of Windows). >>>>>> 4. The folder referenced by boot.ini must have a valid >>>>>> Windows installation. >>>>>> >>>>>> Each item is fully dependent on each of its predecessors. >>>>>> >>>>>> You report that your BIOS will no longer recognise your >>>>>> hard disks when both are plugged in. The PC therefore >>>>>> fails at Step 1 above. This usually happens when one of >>>>>> the disk is incorrectly jumpered (Slave rather than master) >>>>>> or if the 50-core IDE cable is plugged in back to front. >>>>>> You must resolve this matter before you can proceed. >>>>> Pegasus, >>>>> Sorry for the confusion. When BOTH are plugged in BIOS sees all disks. >>>>> When my main disk (with c:\) is plugged in, by itself, BIOS does NOT >>>>> see it. When my SLAVE disk is plugged in, by itself, BIOS sees it as >>>>> secondary. This disk contains E:\, which has the WindowsXP I want to >>>>> remove. Thanks again. >>>> If the BIOS does not see your primary master disks >>>> by itself then you need to change its jumper setting >>>> to "Single Disk" or words to this effect. If unsure, try >>>> every position until you find the one that lets the BIOS >>>> see the disk. >>> Thanks, Pegasus. >>> I disconnected my slave drive, removed the jumper shunt from the primary >>> drive making it a single disk. Windows booted right up after the "dual >>> boot" option screen. Can I now simply format and reinstall the other >>> disk and remove entry from boot. ini? >> >> Yes, provided you're satisfied that everything works the way >> it should and that you have access to all your important files, >> including your EMail files. Please make very, very sure you >> format the right disk. We've had some posts here recently >> where the wrong disk got formatted . . . > THANKS PEGASUS, > You are a "virtual" lifesaver. Please accept my sincerest thanks and best > wishes for you. Thanks for the feedback, and let's include JS in your praise. He first proposed the solution you finally adopted.
Guest JS Posted August 14, 2007 Posted August 14, 2007 Re: remove dual boot As Pegasus mentioned the wrong disk has been formatted by users in the past, it's an easy mistake to make. Again one way to eliminate this from happening is to disconnect the cable to your Windows drive now that it's working correctly. Next connect the drive you want to format (it should be the only drive connected at this point) and perform a clean install of Windows to the drive you wish to format. You will stop/abort the clean install after the point were Windows install ask you to delete/partition/format the drive. How to do a Clean Install of Windows XP: From Michael Steven's: http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html more info: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/XPClean.htm and: http://www.theeldergeek.com/clean_installation_of_windows_xp.htm also: http://www.bootdisk.com/ Now that second drive should be wiped and formatted. Make certain that if you plan to connect the second drive to your system that the drive jumpers are set correctly, that is the Windows drive will not longer be set as Single but as a Master and the second drive as a Slave. JS "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message news:IvadndGAd9v2h1_bnZ2dnUVZ_hqdnZ2d@comcast.com... > Pegasus (MVP) wrote: >> "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message >> news:-tudnUpCbbt6e1zbnZ2dnUVZ_hCdnZ2d@comcast.com... >>> Pegasus (MVP) wrote: >>>> "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message >>>> news:mb2dnewYdp0HCl3bnZ2dnUVZ_rignZ2d@comcast.com... >>>>> Pegasus (MVP) wrote: >>>>>> "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message >>>>>> news:pP2dnd0kcvc8613bnZ2dnUVZ_uiknZ2d@comcast.com... >>>>>>> Pegasus (MVP) wrote: >>>>>>>> "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message >>>>>>>> news:bsudneH8p8KoCCLbnZ2dnUVZ_t7inZ2d@comcast.com... >>>>>>>>> Ed Mc wrote: >>>>>>>>>> I have 2 hard drives in the same computer. Each has it's own >>>>>>>>>> copy of XP installed. It's a dual boot system. I would like to >>>>>>>>>> erase one drive and just use the disk for storage. Is this a >>>>>>>>>> simple task? My main disk is formatted NTFS. The one I want to >>>>>>>>>> erase is FAT32. Could someone give me a step by step procedure? >>>>>>>>>> Google gives answers for dual boot with different OS's. Thanks >>>>>>>>>> for any help. >>>>>>>>>> JS wrote: >>>>>>>>>>> I also should mention to check you applications load OK while >>>>>>>>>>> your at it. >>>>>>>>>>> I think Pegasus and I are basically thinking along similar lines >>>>>>>>>>> so I follow that post as well. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Idea is that if the drive you want to keep XP on (I'll call it >>>>>>>>>>> the main drive) is OK then I'd take a slower and probably over >>>>>>>>>>> cautious approach in that my next step would then be to >>>>>>>>>>> disconnect the main drive, connect the drive the you want to >>>>>>>>>>> remove Windows from (it should now be the only drive connected) >>>>>>>>>>> and boot from the Windows CD and do basically a clean install >>>>>>>>>>> but when you reach the point about choosing the location to >>>>>>>>>>> install you will select 'D' option to delete the partition. The >>>>>>>>>>> reason I choose the long way is that there is no way you can >>>>>>>>>>> accidentally delete Windows on the drive you wish to keep. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Then after you have deleted the partition you can shutdown the >>>>>>>>>>> PC, connect both drives, boot to Windows and use Disk Management >>>>>>>>>>> to create a new partition on the second drive and format it. But >>>>>>>>>>> I'm getting ahead of my self. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> JS >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> "JS" <@> wrote in message >>>>>>>>>>> news:%23CGl%23iR3HHA.600@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... >>>>>>>>>>>> One thing you can try first is to disconnect the cable to the >>>>>>>>>>>> second drive and see if you are able to boot from the drive you >>>>>>>>>>>> wish to keep Windows on. If you can accomplish this (boot to >>>>>>>>>>>> Windows) without problems then you know it's safe to delete >>>>>>>>>>>> the contents of the second drive. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> As to how to delete/repartition the second drive I wait until >>>>>>>>>>>> you report back. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> JS >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> "Ed Mc" <namvtn@noway.com> wrote in message >>>>>>>>>>>> news:c46dnZYc8dDmoiLbnZ2dnUVZ_oaonZ2d@comcast.com... >>>>>>>>>>>>> I have 2 hard drives in the same computer. Each has it's >>>>>>>>>>>>> own copy of XP installed. It's a dual boot system. I would >>>>>>>>>>>>> like to erase one drive and just use the disk for storage. Is >>>>>>>>>>>>> this a simple task? My main disk is formatted NTFS. The one I >>>>>>>>>>>>> want to erase is FAT32. Could someone give me a step by step >>>>>>>>>>>>> procedure? Google gives answers for dual boot with different >>>>>>>>>>>>> OS's. Thanks for any help. >>>>>>>>>> Diskmgmt.msc indicates that my E: drive is active. My C: drive is >>>>>>>>>> simply Healthy(System). >>>>>>>>>> If I disconnect my slave disk, (where E: drive is located), >>>>>>>>>> computer won't boot up. It sees no drives whatsoever. I'm afraid >>>>>>>>>> things are really screwed up! Thanks for help, everyone. >>>>>>>> Let's look at this calmly: >>>>>>>> - Why should things be screwed up? Reconnecting the slave >>>>>>>> disk should restore them to normal! >>>>>>>> - What makes you think that the PC sees no drives whatsoever? >>>>>>>> - What message(s) do you see on the screen with only the slave disk >>>>>>>> connected? >>>>>>>> - When only the slave disk is connected, what disks does the >>>>>>>> BIOS report? Primary? Secondary? Master? Slave? >>>>>>> With only the slave drive connected BIOS sees it and cdrom. With the >>>>>>> slave disconnected and my main drive connected BIOS sees no drives >>>>>>> at all. I think I'm beginning to understand my boot record must be >>>>>>> on my slave drive. Unfortunately this is the drive I want to purge. >>>>>>> I really appreciate everyone's help and patience. >>>>>> No, that's not the way it works. Here is the order of >>>>>> things in a PC: >>>>>> 1. The BIOS must recognise a primary master disk. >>>>>> 2. The primary master disk must have a Master Boot >>>>>> Record (MBR). >>>>>> 3. The primary master disk must have appropriate >>>>>> boot files (ntldr, ntdetect.com and boot.ini in the >>>>>> case of Windows). >>>>>> 4. The folder referenced by boot.ini must have a valid >>>>>> Windows installation. >>>>>> >>>>>> Each item is fully dependent on each of its predecessors. >>>>>> >>>>>> You report that your BIOS will no longer recognise your >>>>>> hard disks when both are plugged in. The PC therefore >>>>>> fails at Step 1 above. This usually happens when one of >>>>>> the disk is incorrectly jumpered (Slave rather than master) >>>>>> or if the 50-core IDE cable is plugged in back to front. >>>>>> You must resolve this matter before you can proceed. >>>>> Pegasus, >>>>> Sorry for the confusion. When BOTH are plugged in BIOS sees all disks. >>>>> When my main disk (with c:\) is plugged in, by itself, BIOS does NOT >>>>> see it. When my SLAVE disk is plugged in, by itself, BIOS sees it as >>>>> secondary. This disk contains E:\, which has the WindowsXP I want to >>>>> remove. Thanks again. >>>> If the BIOS does not see your primary master disks >>>> by itself then you need to change its jumper setting >>>> to "Single Disk" or words to this effect. If unsure, try >>>> every position until you find the one that lets the BIOS >>>> see the disk. >>> Thanks, Pegasus. >>> I disconnected my slave drive, removed the jumper shunt from the primary >>> drive making it a single disk. Windows booted right up after the "dual >>> boot" option screen. Can I now simply format and reinstall the other >>> disk and remove entry from boot. ini? >> >> Yes, provided you're satisfied that everything works the way >> it should and that you have access to all your important files, >> including your EMail files. Please make very, very sure you >> format the right disk. We've had some posts here recently >> where the wrong disk got formatted . . . > THANKS PEGASUS, > You are a "virtual" lifesaver. Please accept my sincerest thanks and best > wishes for you.
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