Can't Delete unwanted Win 7 OS files

[Road Runner]

I wanted to do a new install and for some reason when I told it to format the drive during initial re-install it decided that I should have a dual boot system with two copies of Win 7 Ultimate intead. I have tried all sorts of things to get rid of the second OS by changing the ownership from Trusted installer to my admin account and also changed the control to full as well. Managed to delete some files and then won't allow me to delete the rest. Is there a way to run the format from the command prompt? I have tried to format from disk management without any luck.
Any other ideas??
Thanks Road Runner


I found the solution which was to download a free partitioning program because of their ability to format a drive while keeping everything else undisturbed. I did have to repair my boot manager.

 

[jav]

Hi,
you can boot into some bootable Partition managers and format the partition containing old Windows 7.

there are several Partition managers out there:
http://www.sevenforums.com/software/50017-partition-manager-one-use.html

Hope it helps

 

[IggyAZ]

Can you explain what this is in your computer specs?
2- Seagate 1gig 32m cache SATA
1- Maxtor 250 gig

I understand the 250gig HD but what is the others?

 

[computersplus]

Start From Scratch

I would just start from scratch and put your install disc in and let the installer find the partitions from there delete everything and do the install the right way.

 

[Road Runner]

I don't have my copy of partition Magic with me it is back home in another country. Any other suggestion?

 

[patio]

Easus and Paragon both offer a FREE Home edition...

 

[Wishmaster]

Perhaps i am confused.

but you shouln't need any partitioning tools to do a complete clean instal.

If you boot your Win 7 Disc and proceed with a Custom (Clean) installation, it should show all drives and partitions preset.

AS computerplus suggested, right click and delete all of the partitions its showing so you have all unallocated space showing.

I too agree, this would be the best best to ensure everything goes smoothly

Then re-create all the partitions you want.

The first one should be where you want windows, and it will very likely ask to create a system partition. (let it)

After that, create the rest of the partitions as you see fit, and install Windows on the main partiton you created 1st and all should be good.

It will allow you to make as many partitions as you like, whatever size you like before Windows Install begins.

 

[Road Runner]

I have two 250 gig hard drives. When I told it to format C: and overwrite the OS it did not do that, instead for some strange reason it changed my C: drive letter to E: and then installed the OS on the other drive leaving me with two copies of Win 7 Ultimate. I did not think much of it as I assumed that I would be able to delete the extra OS files later. I have spent hours installing all of my other software and getting everything updated. All I want to do is delete the os files from my E: drive. I have managed to delete quite a few but I can't seem to delete anymore.
Hope this expalins things a bit better.

 

[Road Runner]

Oh yes as you can see I am not partitioning anything at all. I also have two 1 T drives for my data in a raid 1 format for backup.

 

[gregrocker]

So they are on separate drives? Are you getting a dual Boot Menu when you start the computer?

First you must determine which Win7 holds the boot critical files and if necessary move them to the Win7 you want to keep. We help do this all the time here.

Please post back a Screenshot of your full Disk Management map, using Snipping Tool in Start menu and attaching file using paper clip in reply box.

Make it clear in the reply which is the Win7 installation you wish to keep.

 

[patio]

I have two 250 gig hard drives. When I told it to format C: and overwrite the OS it did not do that, instead for some strange reason it changed my C: drive letter to E: and then installed the OS on the other drive leaving me with two copies of Win 7 Ultimate

It" will not decide to do this on it's own...it has to be prompted to install a 2nd instance of the OS.
Must have been something you clicked.

 

[1Bowtie]

And to stay with what's already been good information, it's best unhook any extra drives so your first prob doesn't accure again. That way when you install the os it will be C:/

Smitty

 

[Ztruker]

Try booting a Linux "Live" CD like Puppy Linux or one of the other bootable CD packages like EBCD, UBCD or best of all, UBCD4WIN. See if you can access the hard drive that way. If yes then you should be able to delete whatever you don't want.

See this post by Happyrck on GeeksToGo for Puppy Linux:
http://www.geekstogo.com/.....=findpost&p=1197721#entry1197721
Get the latest version available as the one he recommends is no longer easy to find.

These two are iso images you download then use your burner software to create the bootable CD from:

EBCD
Ultimate Boot CD

This one you have to build on your system and you need a Windows XP Home, Pro or MCE CD. Takes a bit of work to set it up but it's not difficult and when you boot it, you have Windows XP:

Ultimate Boot CD for Windows
How to build UBCD4WIN

I've not tried to build this under Windows 7 so don't know if it will work that way or if you need a booted XP system to create it from.

 

[gregrocker]

And to stay with what's already been good information, it's best unhook any extra drives so your first prob doesn't accure again. That way when you install the os it will be C:/

Smitty

Exactly, we're seeing a lot of DISK0 data drives that grab the active flag somehow and end up System drive.

The fix BTW is to deactivate data drive, mark Win7 drive active, boot into Win7 DVD and run Startup repair 3 times to rewrite the MBR to Win7 partition.

The best tool for this is free Partition Wizard bootable CD so all partitions can be easily checked for Active status to Modify:Set Inactive, before Win7 is Set Active.

 

[Road Runner]

Using a Linux boot disk is a great idea I wish I had thought of it earlier. I'll let you know how it turns out.

 

[Road Runner]

I liked your suggestion best because of the ease of the solution. I down loaded Paragon Partition Manager 2010 64 bit FREE Edition formated the hard drive and did a repair of my Boot Manager and all is well in computer nirvana.
Thanks Road Runner