• Welcome to Tux Reports: Where Penguins Fly. We hope you find the topics varied, interesting, and worthy of your time. Please become a member and join in the discussions.

Help to delete previous XP installs

R

rock

Flightless Bird
Hello,

We had installed XP Pro but somehow it became unbootable. After messing
around we decided to start at the top and reinstall.

We did this but twice were interrupted and started again. Consequently
we have this..

C:/WINDOWS
C:/WINDOWS.0
C:/WINDOWS.1
C:/WINDOWS.2

The correct one we have working now is C:/WINDOWS.2

Now in the Documents and settings directory, we have all these sub dirs..

The ones with (Correct Date) are the ones associated with the current
correct XP.

How do I get rid of the rest please?

Thanks

rock


------------------------
Admin
Admin YOUR-DB740DF850 (Correct Date)
Admin YOUR-F0EA72903052
Admin YOUR-F0EA72903052.000

All Users
All Users. WINDOWS
All Users. WINDOWS.1
All Users. WINDOWS.2 (Correct Date)

David
David YOUR-DB740DF850 (Correct Date)

Default User
Default User WINDOWS
Default User WINDOWS.1
Default User WINDOWS.2 (Correct Date)

Suzanne
------------------------
 
P

Pegasus [MVP]

Flightless Bird
"rock" <1940@pobox.com> said this in news item
news:uA#vkHclKHA.5608@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> Hello,
>
> We had installed XP Pro but somehow it became unbootable. After messing
> around we decided to start at the top and reinstall.
>
> We did this but twice were interrupted and started again. Consequently we
> have this..
>
> C:/WINDOWS
> C:/WINDOWS.0
> C:/WINDOWS.1
> C:/WINDOWS.2
>
> The correct one we have working now is C:/WINDOWS.2
>
> Now in the Documents and settings directory, we have all these sub dirs..
>
> The ones with (Correct Date) are the ones associated with the current
> correct XP.
>
> How do I get rid of the rest please?
>
> Thanks
>
> rock
>
>
> ------------------------
> Admin
> Admin YOUR-DB740DF850 (Correct Date)
> Admin YOUR-F0EA72903052
> Admin YOUR-F0EA72903052.000
>
> All Users
> All Users. WINDOWS
> All Users. WINDOWS.1
> All Users. WINDOWS.2 (Correct Date)
>
> David
> David YOUR-DB740DF850 (Correct Date)
>
> Default User
> Default User WINDOWS
> Default User WINDOWS.1
> Default User WINDOWS.2 (Correct Date)
>
> Suzanne
> ------------------------


I would rename the unwanted folders, wait a few days, then delete them.
 
J

John John - MVP

Flightless Bird
rock wrote:
> Hello,
>
> We had installed XP Pro but somehow it became unbootable. After messing
> around we decided to start at the top and reinstall.
>
> We did this but twice were interrupted and started again. Consequently
> we have this..
>
> C:/WINDOWS
> C:/WINDOWS.0
> C:/WINDOWS.1
> C:/WINDOWS.2


It looks more like you have 4 installs or attempted installs on the
machine. If this were my machine I would start again. A clean install
entails formating the drive, the drive wasn't formated if you have all
these remnants of previous installations on the drive. Start again and
this time format the drive when you are at the disk and partition
selection screen.

John
 
P

PA Bear [MS MVP]

Flightless Bird
CrystalBall© sez, see...

Help: I Got Hacked. Now What Do I Do?
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc700813.aspx

Back-up any personal data (none of which should be considered 100%
trustworthy at this point) then do a format & clean install of Windows.
Please note that another Repair Install (AKA in-place upgrade) will NOT fix
this!

HOW TO do a clean install of WinXP: See
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html#steps and/or Method 1 in
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/978307

After the clean install, you'll have the equivalent of a "new computer" so
take care of everything on the following page before otherwise connecting
the machine to the internet or a network and before using a USB key that
isn't brand-new or hasn't been freshly formatted:

4 steps to help protect your new computer before you go online
http://www.microsoft.com/security/pypc.aspx

Other helpful references include:

HOW TO get a computer running WinXP Gold (no Service Packs) fully patched
(after a clean install)
http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsupdate/msg/3f5afa8ed33e121c

HOW TO get a computer running WinXP SP1(a) or SP2 fully patched (after a
clean install)
http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/msg/a066ae41add7dd2b

Tip: After getting the computer fully-patched, download/install KB971029
manually: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971029

NB: Any Norton or McAfee free-trial that came preinstalled on the computer
when you bought it will be reinstalled (but invalid) when Windows is
reinstalled. You MUST uninstall the free-trial and download/run the
appropriate removal tool before installing any updates, Windows Service
Packs or IE upgrades and before installing your new anti-virus application
(which will require WinXP SP3 to be installed).

Norton Removal Tool
ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/english_us_canada/removal_tools/Norton_Removal_Tool.exe

McAfee Consumer Products Removal Tool
http://download.mcafee.com/products/licensed/cust_support_patches/MCPR.exe

Also see:

Steps To Help Prevent Spyware
http://www.microsoft.com/security/spyware/prevent.aspx

Steps to Help Prevent Computer Worms
http://www.microsoft.com/security/worms/prevent.aspx

Avoid Rogue Security Software!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/antivirus/rogue.aspx


rock wrote:
> Hello,
>
> We had installed XP Pro but somehow it became unbootable. After messing
> around we decided to start at the top and reinstall.
>
> We did this but twice were interrupted and started again. Consequently
> we have this..
>
> C:/WINDOWS
> C:/WINDOWS.0
> C:/WINDOWS.1
> C:/WINDOWS.2
>
> The correct one we have working now is C:/WINDOWS.2
>
> Now in the Documents and settings directory, we have all these sub dirs..
>
> The ones with (Correct Date) are the ones associated with the current
> correct XP.
>
> How do I get rid of the rest please?
>
> Thanks
>
> rock
>
>
> ------------------------
> Admin
> Admin YOUR-DB740DF850 (Correct Date)
> Admin YOUR-F0EA72903052
> Admin YOUR-F0EA72903052.000
>
> All Users
> All Users. WINDOWS
> All Users. WINDOWS.1
> All Users. WINDOWS.2 (Correct Date)
>
> David
> David YOUR-DB740DF850 (Correct Date)
>
> Default User
> Default User WINDOWS
> Default User WINDOWS.1
> Default User WINDOWS.2 (Correct Date)
>
> Suzanne
> ------------------------
 
P

Pegasus [MVP]

Flightless Bird
"PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABearMVP@gmail.com> said this in news item
news:eBIklLflKHA.5128@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> CrystalBall© sez, see...
>
> Help: I Got Hacked. Now What Do I Do?
> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc700813.aspx
>


The OP did not get hacked, infected or spied upon. He simply messed up his
installation, which resulted in several Windows folders.
 
J

Jose

Flightless Bird
On Jan 15, 4:05 am, rock <1...@pobox.com> wrote:
> Hello,
>
> We had installed XP Pro but somehow it became unbootable. After messing
> around we decided to start at the top and reinstall.
>
> We did this but twice were interrupted and started again. Consequently
> we have this..
>
> C:/WINDOWS
> C:/WINDOWS.0
> C:/WINDOWS.1
> C:/WINDOWS.2
>
> The correct one we have working now is C:/WINDOWS.2
>
> Now in the Documents and settings directory, we have all these sub dirs..
>
> The ones with (Correct Date) are the ones associated with the current
> correct XP.
>
> How do I get rid of the rest please?
>
> Thanks
>
> rock
>
> ------------------------
> Admin
> Admin YOUR-DB740DF850     (Correct Date)
> Admin YOUR-F0EA72903052
> Admin YOUR-F0EA72903052.000
>
> All Users
> All Users. WINDOWS
> All Users. WINDOWS.1
> All Users. WINDOWS.2  (Correct Date)
>
> David
> David YOUR-DB740DF850     (Correct Date)
>
> Default User
> Default User WINDOWS
> Default User WINDOWS.1
> Default User WINDOWS.2 (Correct Date)
>
> Suzanne
> ------------------------


Don't delete previous installs - reinstall from scratch and do it the
conventional (right) way.
 
P

PA Bear [MS MVP]

Flightless Bird
Pegasus [MVP] wrote:
>> CrystalBall© sez, see...
>>
>> Help: I Got Hacked. Now What Do I Do?
>> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc700813.aspx
>>

>
> The OP did not get hacked, infected or spied upon. He simply messed up his
> installation, which resulted in several Windows folders.


CrystalBall© wondered why OP had reinstalled WinXP so many times & came up
with "I got hacked" as an answer. <w>
 
P

Pegasus [MVP]

Flightless Bird
"PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABearMVP@gmail.com> said this in news item
news:eERdcoflKHA.4772@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> Pegasus [MVP] wrote:
>>> CrystalBall© sez, see...
>>>
>>> Help: I Got Hacked. Now What Do I Do?
>>> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc700813.aspx
>>>

>>
>> The OP did not get hacked, infected or spied upon. He simply messed up
>> his
>> installation, which resulted in several Windows folders.

>
> CrystalBall© wondered why OP had reinstalled WinXP so many times & came up
> with "I got hacked" as an answer. <w>


I think CrystalBall© is cloudy and needs a cut & polish :)
 
P

PA Bear [MS MVP]

Flightless Bird
Pegasus [MVP] wrote:
>>>> CrystalBall© sez, see...
>>>>
>>>> Help: I Got Hacked. Now What Do I Do?
>>>> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc700813.aspx
>>>>
>>>
>>> The OP did not get hacked, infected or spied upon. He simply messed up
>>> his
>>> installation, which resulted in several Windows folders.

>>
>> CrystalBall© wondered why OP had reinstalled WinXP so many times & came
>> up
>> with "I got hacked" as an answer. <w>

>
> I think CrystalBall© is cloudy and needs a cut & polish :)


It's too friggin' busy in Win7 (Answers) forums to take it in to the shop!
Talk about clueless...
 
L

Larry

Flightless Bird
"rock" <1940@pobox.com> wrote in message
news:uA%23vkHclKHA.5608@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> Hello,
>
> We had installed XP Pro but somehow it became unbootable. After messing
> around we decided to start at the top and reinstall.
>
> We did this but twice were interrupted and started again. Consequently we
> have this..
>
> C:/WINDOWS
> C:/WINDOWS.0
> C:/WINDOWS.1
> C:/WINDOWS.2
>
> The correct one we have working now is C:/WINDOWS.2
>
> Now in the Documents and settings directory, we have all these sub dirs..
>
> The ones with (Correct Date) are the ones associated with the current
> correct XP.
>
> How do I get rid of the rest please?
>
> Thanks
>
> rock
>
>
> ------------------------
> Admin
> Admin YOUR-DB740DF850 (Correct Date)
> Admin YOUR-F0EA72903052
> Admin YOUR-F0EA72903052.000
>
> All Users
> All Users. WINDOWS
> All Users. WINDOWS.1
> All Users. WINDOWS.2 (Correct Date)
>
> David
> David YOUR-DB740DF850 (Correct Date)
>
> Default User
> Default User WINDOWS
> Default User WINDOWS.1
> Default User WINDOWS.2 (Correct Date)
>
> Suzanne
> ------------------------


Take a look at the boot.ini configuration. You should be able to get rid of
the old ones.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/289022
http://www.optimizingpc.com/optimize/msconfig.html

Larry
 
M

moonraker

Flightless Bird
Re:- "We did this but twice were interrupted and started again. Consequently
we have this.."

Hi PA

Can I ask if you are suggesting that a virus may be responsible for the
interrupted installs?


Steve

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABearMVP@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:eBIklLflKHA.5128@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> CrystalBall© sez, see...
>
> Help: I Got Hacked. Now What Do I Do?
> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc700813.aspx
>
> Back-up any personal data (none of which should be considered 100%
> trustworthy at this point) then do a format & clean install of Windows.
> Please note that another Repair Install (AKA in-place upgrade) will NOT
> fix this!
>
> HOW TO do a clean install of WinXP: See
> http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html#steps and/or Method 1 in
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/978307
>
> After the clean install, you'll have the equivalent of a "new computer" so
> take care of everything on the following page before otherwise connecting
> the machine to the internet or a network and before using a USB key that
> isn't brand-new or hasn't been freshly formatted:
>
> 4 steps to help protect your new computer before you go online
> http://www.microsoft.com/security/pypc.aspx
>
> Other helpful references include:
>
> HOW TO get a computer running WinXP Gold (no Service Packs) fully patched
> (after a clean install)
> http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsupdate/msg/3f5afa8ed33e121c
>
> HOW TO get a computer running WinXP SP1(a) or SP2 fully patched (after a
> clean install)
> http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/msg/a066ae41add7dd2b
>
> Tip: After getting the computer fully-patched, download/install KB971029
> manually: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971029
>
> NB: Any Norton or McAfee free-trial that came preinstalled on the computer
> when you bought it will be reinstalled (but invalid) when Windows is
> reinstalled. You MUST uninstall the free-trial and download/run the
> appropriate removal tool before installing any updates, Windows Service
> Packs or IE upgrades and before installing your new anti-virus application
> (which will require WinXP SP3 to be installed).
>
> Norton Removal Tool
>
> ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/english_us_canada/removal_tools/Norton_Removal_Tool.exe
>
> McAfee Consumer Products Removal Tool
>
> http://download.mcafee.com/products/licensed/cust_support_patches/MCPR.exe
>
> Also see:
>
> Steps To Help Prevent Spyware
> http://www.microsoft.com/security/spyware/prevent.aspx
>
> Steps to Help Prevent Computer Worms
> http://www.microsoft.com/security/worms/prevent.aspx
>
> Avoid Rogue Security Software!
> http://www.microsoft.com/security/antivirus/rogue.aspx
>
>
> rock wrote:
>> Hello,
>>
>> We had installed XP Pro but somehow it became unbootable. After messing
>> around we decided to start at the top and reinstall.
>>
>> We did this but twice were interrupted and started again. Consequently
>> we have this..
>>
>> C:/WINDOWS
>> C:/WINDOWS.0
>> C:/WINDOWS.1
>> C:/WINDOWS.2
>>
>> The correct one we have working now is C:/WINDOWS.2
>>
>> Now in the Documents and settings directory, we have all these sub dirs..
>>
>> The ones with (Correct Date) are the ones associated with the current
>> correct XP.
>>
>> How do I get rid of the rest please?
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> rock
>>
>>
>> ------------------------
>> Admin
>> Admin YOUR-DB740DF850 (Correct Date)
>> Admin YOUR-F0EA72903052
>> Admin YOUR-F0EA72903052.000
>>
>> All Users
>> All Users. WINDOWS
>> All Users. WINDOWS.1
>> All Users. WINDOWS.2 (Correct Date)
>>
>> David
>> David YOUR-DB740DF850 (Correct Date)
>>
>> Default User
>> Default User WINDOWS
>> Default User WINDOWS.1
>> Default User WINDOWS.2 (Correct Date)
>>
>> Suzanne
>> ------------------------

>
 
P

PA Bear [MS MVP]

Flightless Bird
I am presuming that an infection of some sort caused the "unbootable"
problem. That and the possible lack of a valid, fully-updated anti-virus
application and/or failing to keep the computer fully-patched at Windows
Update. If such is the case, you can do Repair Installs from now till the
cows come home and still not fix the problem.

moonraker wrote:
> Re:- "We did this but twice were interrupted and started again.
> Consequently
> we have this.."
>
> Hi PA
>
> Can I ask if you are suggesting that a virus may be responsible for the
> interrupted installs?
>
>> CrystalBall© sez, see...
>>
>> Help: I Got Hacked. Now What Do I Do?
>> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc700813.aspx
>>
>> Back-up any personal data (none of which should be considered 100%
>> trustworthy at this point) then do a format & clean install of Windows.
>> Please note that another Repair Install (AKA in-place upgrade) will NOT
>> fix this!
>>
>> HOW TO do a clean install of WinXP: See
>> http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html#steps and/or Method 1
>> in
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/978307
>>
>> After the clean install, you'll have the equivalent of a "new computer"
>> so
>> take care of everything on the following page before otherwise connecting
>> the machine to the internet or a network and before using a USB key that
>> isn't brand-new or hasn't been freshly formatted:
>>
>> 4 steps to help protect your new computer before you go online
>> http://www.microsoft.com/security/pypc.aspx
>>
>> Other helpful references include:
>>
>> HOW TO get a computer running WinXP Gold (no Service Packs) fully patched
>> (after a clean install)
>> http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsupdate/msg/3f5afa8ed33e121c
>>
>> HOW TO get a computer running WinXP SP1(a) or SP2 fully patched (after a
>> clean install)
>> http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/msg/a066ae41add7dd2b
>>
>> Tip: After getting the computer fully-patched, download/install KB971029
>> manually: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971029
>>
>> NB: Any Norton or McAfee free-trial that came preinstalled on the
>> computer
>> when you bought it will be reinstalled (but invalid) when Windows is
>> reinstalled. You MUST uninstall the free-trial and download/run the
>> appropriate removal tool before installing any updates, Windows Service
>> Packs or IE upgrades and before installing your new anti-virus
>> application
>> (which will require WinXP SP3 to be installed).
>>
>> Norton Removal Tool
>>
>> ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/english_us_canada/removal_tools/Norton_Removal_Tool.exe
>>
>> McAfee Consumer Products Removal Tool
>>
>> http://download.mcafee.com/products/licensed/cust_support_patches/MCPR.exe
>>
>> Also see:
>>
>> Steps To Help Prevent Spyware
>> http://www.microsoft.com/security/spyware/prevent.aspx
>>
>> Steps to Help Prevent Computer Worms
>> http://www.microsoft.com/security/worms/prevent.aspx
>>
>> Avoid Rogue Security Software!
>> http://www.microsoft.com/security/antivirus/rogue.aspx
>>
>>
>> rock wrote:
>>> Hello,
>>>
>>> We had installed XP Pro but somehow it became unbootable. After messing
>>> around we decided to start at the top and reinstall.
>>>
>>> We did this but twice were interrupted and started again. Consequently
>>> we have this..
>>>
>>> C:/WINDOWS
>>> C:/WINDOWS.0
>>> C:/WINDOWS.1
>>> C:/WINDOWS.2
>>>
>>> The correct one we have working now is C:/WINDOWS.2
>>>
>>> Now in the Documents and settings directory, we have all these sub
>>> dirs..
>>>
>>> The ones with (Correct Date) are the ones associated with the current
>>> correct XP.
>>>
>>> How do I get rid of the rest please?
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>>
>>> rock
>>>
>>>
>>> ------------------------
>>> Admin
>>> Admin YOUR-DB740DF850 (Correct Date)
>>> Admin YOUR-F0EA72903052
>>> Admin YOUR-F0EA72903052.000
>>>
>>> All Users
>>> All Users. WINDOWS
>>> All Users. WINDOWS.1
>>> All Users. WINDOWS.2 (Correct Date)
>>>
>>> David
>>> David YOUR-DB740DF850 (Correct Date)
>>>
>>> Default User
>>> Default User WINDOWS
>>> Default User WINDOWS.1
>>> Default User WINDOWS.2 (Correct Date)
>>>
>>> Suzanne
>>> ------------------------
 
Top