Marc
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Registered: 11th Aug 02
Location: York
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I formatted earlier only it seems instead of formatting its just created a new partition and thats the one that loads up.
How do I access and delete the other one?
OS is Vista Business.
[Edited on 12-10-2008 by Marc]
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Russ
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Registered: 14th Mar 04
Location: Armchair
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so you have two copies of vista on one HDD with 2 partitions (c and d for example)?
if so, only way to get rid of one is to get rid of them both, format again and this time make sure you delete each partition.
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Marc
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Registered: 11th Aug 02
Location: York
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Yeah I think thats what I've got. Was hoping there would be an easier way!
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Russ
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Registered: 14th Mar 04
Location: Armchair
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there may be, but afaiaw you cant get rid of a partition on a HDD without formatting the whole thing
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Brett
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Registered: 16th Dec 02
Location: Manchester
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Is there actually 2 partitions, i.e. C: & D: drive, when you only have one HDD, or is it giving you an OS list at the beginning, yet the other O/S is no longer on there?
The fix for that is
control panel > system > Advanced tab > Start and recovery > Settings > Then select the default OS you want, then uncheck the first box, or set it to 0.
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Brett
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Registered: 16th Dec 02
Location: Manchester
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In fact, that'll work either way. Just set the default O/S 
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Ian
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Registered: 28th Aug 99
Location: Liverpool
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Boot to an XP CD and delete all the partitions, turn the computer off, put the Vista CD in and wait.
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Marc
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Registered: 11th Aug 02
Location: York
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I've tried putting an XP disc in but it won't install as it says I have a newer version of windows on??
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John
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Registered: 30th Jun 03
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Can do the same while installing vista, just click advanced when it comes up with drive options, same as xp with a fancier UI.
From comment above it would suggest you are starting the install from inside windows?
[Edited on 15-10-2008 by John]
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Marc
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Registered: 11th Aug 02
Location: York
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I've put the disc in then started the laptop.
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John
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Registered: 30th Jun 03
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Do it via the vista disc anyway.
Start the install, you'll get to a screen with the drive options, there is a button at the bottom which I think says advanced but it'll be something similar anyway, can delete partitions from there.
[Edited on 15-10-2008 by John]
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Marc
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Registered: 11th Aug 02
Location: York
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I've tried that John.
It showed 3 partitions and no option to do anything to them.
It said at the bottom I need to start the pc with the disc in to modify partitions but the laptop just booted up.
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John
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Registered: 30th Jun 03
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http://www.theeldergeekvista.com/images/Vista%20Clean%20Installation/Vista%20Final%20-0031.jpg
That screen?
Is this your dell laptop?
It'll have 2 or 3 partitions that will be quite small, you don't need to touch these, there should be nothing stopping you deleting or formatting the windows partition though.
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Marc
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Registered: 11th Aug 02
Location: York
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Yeah.
Now theres no room left to install another version as I only have 5gb free now.
Edit - I never saw a delete option when I did it.
[Edited on 15-10-2008 by Marc]
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John
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Registered: 30th Jun 03
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You could go old school and make a bootable usb stick and just go in and fdisk but vista should work.
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Marc
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Registered: 11th Aug 02
Location: York
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I'm trying to re install XP but obviously it won't let me as Vista is installed.
I can't get it to run when I forst start pc either, Vista just loads up.
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John
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Registered: 30th Jun 03
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Xp disc in, press F12 at the dell logo/bios screen, you'll get an option to boot from cd drive, then press any key to install xp, it won't care what OS you have installed.
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Marc
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Registered: 11th Aug 02
Location: York
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quote:
Originally posted by loafofbrett
Is there actually 2 partitions, i.e. C: & D: drive, when you only have one HDD, or is it giving you an OS list at the beginning, yet the other O/S is no longer on there?
The fix for that is
control panel > system > Advanced tab > Start and recovery > Settings > Then select the default OS you want, then uncheck the first box, or set it to 0.
Vista just loads up when I start up. I don't appear to have access to the other 2 Vistas on here.
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Brett
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Registered: 16th Dec 02
Location: Manchester
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John's right tho. XP setup should just let you format the entire HDD and delete all partitions.
If you "read" the screens, there's always options to do it. If I remember rightly, it'll come up saying there's an OS installed and ask if it needs repairing and says "if you want to install a fresh copy press ESC". Then you'll need to delete the partitions. Something like pressing L then enter. I forget.
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Marc
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Registered: 11th Aug 02
Location: York
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quote:
Originally posted by John
Xp disc in, press F12 at the dell logo/bios screen, you'll get an option to boot from cd drive, then press any key to install xp, it won't care what OS you have installed.
Never saw this! I did what you said and everythings fine now. Thanks.
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