Help please, unwanted partition

[mangar]

When installing a different version of XP on my other computer I, inadvertently, or foolishly, opted for partition on the hard drive. I am not happy with this, so how do I remove the partition? Is it possible? Any help gratefully received.

[vehelpfulguy]

Why do you think this is a problem, you need a partition on your hard drive to install Windows.

Did the hard drive have any partitions on it before you started?

Do you know how many partitions you have on the hard drive now ?

In which partition is Windows installed ?

[rojash]

As VHG says, you HAVE to have a partition on your drive in order to use it.

[mangar]

I had XP already on the computer, but I wanted to install a different version. When I booted up from the CD it asked if I wanted a partition and I pressed 'enter' at that point d I have ended up with two different versions of XP. I would like to revert to the original version if possible.

[rojash]

Well, that's not quite what you said :-)
The only thing I can suggest is that you boot from the CD, delete both the partitions, create a new partition which fills the disk, and then re-install. Of course, this will wipe all your data, installed programs and drivers, so is not something to do lightly.
There are a number of partition and disk management programs available which allow you to merge two partitions into one, but I've never found one that can merge the boot partition (maybe someone else knows of one?).

[matt1e]

the disk management tools bundled with xp can delete merge and extend partitions but wether you can revert to your original version extend the partition to reclaim the lost space , depends on a number of things, rojashs option may be the best option for you
anyway a few questions
1is your original version bootable?
2 do you now have a duel boot menu at startup or does it boot straight to the version of xp that you dont want?
3 are both partitions formated with NTFS?

[vehelpfulguy]

>I had XP already on the computer, but I wanted to install a different version.

What version did you already have, and what one did you try to go to?

Note you CAN install XP Pro on top of XP Home.

You CANNOT install XP Home on top of XP Pro.

[mangar]

Matt1e In answer to your questions before I try Rojash's suggestion:
1. Yes
2. Dual boot menu at startup
3. Yes

Vehelpfulguy: I had XP Pro version

[rojash]

mangar, You only answered half of VHG's question:
You had XP Pro before, what were you trying to install?

[mangar]

Rojash

I was trying to install XP Pro Service Pack 3. I did this OK, but I thoughtlessly accepted the first option that was offered, that is to make a partition. It was only later that I realised what I had done and if possible I want to revert to a single style of XP Pro Service Pack 3, and remove the existing XP. Can this be done?

[rojash]

I would suggest that you keep the original XP and do a reapair install with the disk that has service pack 3, or just wait for service pack 3 as a download.
With any decent disk management software you should be able to delete the new partition, then extend the old partition to cover the entire disk. (Google for Disk or Partition managers).

After you have removed the second copy and resized the partition, you should then be able to do a repair install from the disk which included service pack 3 (though personally, I would just install service pack 3 to the original system).

[matt1e]

hi manger
boot to the windows op that you want to use (which will most likely be on the c drive - go to my computer and format the drive that contains the version of windows that you dont require (prob D:/)
next click start/run type msconfiig and click on boot.ini
click the button "check all boot paths"
you should now get a prompt to remove the invalid path
so remove it then reboot
your prefered version of windows should now start without the boot menu but you will still have two partitions which I personly would keep if they are a decent size and use the other "drive" to install programs on
but if you really want to merge the partitions back then as rojash has allready said you will have to have to use a 3rd party disc manegment program such as partition magic as you can not extend a system disc that is currently booted and running though I do remember there being a ntfs boot utility that could do it via dos cant remember the name though

[mangar]

Hi Matt i e and Rojash

Thank you for your help. I have tried following your instructions but I haven't had any success. So I am abandoning the idea to remove the one partition for the time being and carry on as it is (as you suggest). Thank you both once again for your kind help.