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    sally m's Avatar
    sally m Posts: 13, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Feb 12, 2010, 04:54 PM
    How to format an existing partition-there is data in it -
    I have 2 os running both are winxp pro how to remove one of them and format that partition to use it as a storage
    ScottGem's Avatar
    ScottGem Posts: 64,966, Reputation: 6056
    Computer Expert and Renaissance Man
    		  
    #2

    Feb 12, 2010, 05:34 PM

    First move all the data off the partiton. Then use the Disk utilities to format the partition to use for storage.
    seahwk83's Avatar
    seahwk83 Posts: 3,276, Reputation: 212
    Ultra Member
    		  
    #3

    Feb 12, 2010, 05:38 PM

    do you get the dual boot option when you power on and get to choose which one you want to boot to?

    Is the first one drive C: and the one you want to keep?

    what you would need to do is to edit your boot.ini file to remove the 2nd boot option (drive d:) and then after that is edited out, the computer will just boot to c: drive and then you can format d:

    this is for above situation, if you want to remove d: and keep c: as your boot drive

    go to c:\ and then right click on boot.ini


    example of boot.ini file

    [boot loader]
    timeout=10
    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)\WINDOWS="Micro soft Windows XP Professional Number 2" /fastdetect
    In the above pic you see under [operating systems] that there are 2 entries, the first one being your first choice in your boot menu when you boot (usually c: drive)

    the 2nd entry would be the 2nd option in your boot menu when you boot PC

    Delete line 2 and then save the file and say OK

    Now when you start the computer, it will not give you boot menu and boot to the one that you left in the boot.ini file

    Make sure you delete the line for the OS you want to remove


    After back in windows, you should be able to format the partition you are attempting to do
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