how to remove windows 98 and windows 2000

wetboy1uk · #1 02-01-2009, 01:39 PM

I have windows 98, windows 2000 and windows xp all on the c drive of my computer. Can anyone tell me the easiest way to remove windows 98 and windows 2000 to leave windows xp working correctly. is it easiest to install another copy of windows xp on the d drive and reformat the c drive or is there an easier way.

Monty007 · #2 02-01-2009, 05:23 PM

Hi, the best way is to save all your important docs ect. to removable media then format C: with XP.

ReRun · #3 02-01-2009, 06:39 PM

If 98 and 2000 are on separate partitions or drives boot to XP and format the partitions or drives with 98 and 2k. reboot to xp after formatting then go to start>run>type msconfig then click the boot.ini tab and click the check all boot paths button. It will tell you it has found errors, OK it to fix them and you are left with XP.

wetboy1uk · #4 02-02-2009, 04:10 AM

ReRun, that sounds as if it would work but any chance of giving me the process in a bit more detail - not very good when it comes to the working sof a pc. It already has xp on it so do I need to boot to xp? Also how do I format just the partitions with 98 and 2k on them?

Thanks

ReRun · #5 02-02-2009, 04:33 AM

Ok, here goes. If they are on separate partitions, boot the machine selecting Windows XP as the os you want to load. Once there go to the my computer start menu link or desktop icon. the partitions should be listed as drives, just right click one and select format from the context menu. You can do a Quick format to make the process go faster if you want. once the first is done do the same for the other partition. You can not format the partition XP is on by mistake because you are booted on it, windows wont let you so its a safe process.
once the second partition is formatted you need to reboot, select XP because the boot loader will still have 2k and 98, once you are loaded up on XP click start, then run, type MSCONFIG in the command box and click ok.
The system config utility will come up, click the tab that says Boot.ini then there will be a button that says check all boot paths, click it and windows will tell you it has found some that dont belong and you just OK it to fix them. its really all you have to do. Only thing XP will not be on the C drive, it really will not be an issue except the occasional software install will try to use C, just change the install directory if you have trouble getting software to load. Most of the software detects the system setup and its a non issue. Nice thing about it, most viruses are coded to the C drive directories and do not follow through with the creators master plan. Only way to make the XP copy you have now the C drive would be to use a third party program that changes the drive paths and all registry assignments like partition magic. I really do not see any reason to worry about it, I personally would leave the letter whatever it is.

wetboy1uk · #6 02-02-2009, 07:45 AM

Hi rerun, thanks for that. the only thing I am not sure about is if I go to my computer it only shows the one c drive and does not show the partitioned sections which contain the old os - does this mean they are not on seperate partitions - if so what sould I do now.

Thanks again
John

DaveC2003 · #7 02-02-2009, 08:26 AM

wetboy1uk, you need to setup a boot.ini so a list of OS appears for you to choose from. Refer to the link below for more details.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/289022

wetboy1uk · #8 02-02-2009, 11:38 AM

Dave, I have tried doing what it says on microsoft but it keeps saying invalid syntax - what is going wrong?

When I go into properties on my computer and look at the system start up I get:

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOW S
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Micro soft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT="Microso ft Windows 2000 Professional" /fastdetect
C:\="Microsoft Windows"

as it says I should. Can I just delet from this screen or not?

Thanks
John

DaveC2003 · #9 02-02-2009, 12:12 PM

Could you post the syntax error you get on here and can look into this further?

ReRun · #10 02-02-2009, 12:47 PM

Before we go any further, there is only one drive and no other partitions show up in My Computer.

Lets explain what is wrong here.

First if your drive is not partitioned and it is over 32 gigs in total size this would be problem number 1. The reason it is a problem is because the file system has to be Fat 32. you can create and install operating systems on fat 32 partitions but it is not a good idea unless you like file corruption.( I know its Fat32 because Windows 98 will only run on a Fat file system).

Second problem, you already seemed a little nervous about removing simple multi-boot setup, though this can be done it is going to be a lot harder and the whole process will be pointless, you really need to back up your info and do a clean install of XP after Formatting in NTFS.

wetboy1uk · #11 02-02-2009, 01:24 PM

Sorry rerun but it is not about being a bit nervous it is just about the way people talk in pc language and others who know nothing about the operating side of a pc dont understand this.

Dave the syntax error I get is:

ERROR:Invalid syntax
Type "BOOTCFG/?" for usage

Let me know what you think

Thanks