Memory Problem

ren3gade · 10-03-2006, 09:00 PM

I'm new here, but I think this should go here..

Hi, I recently had a problem with my computer (particularly Windows). Okay, so, apperantly, a file in my system32 folder was deleted so I needed to reinstall it so I decided to just stick my Windows XP disc into my computer and redownload Windows. I thought it would delete everything I had before and give me all of the memory back, but apparently, it didn't. I barely have anything downloaded and I only have 750 MB/145 GB left og my C:.

What's the problem? How do I fix it?

Thanks.

~~OMGmissinglink~~ · 10-03-2006, 10:05 PM

reinstall windows again, when you get to the parition screen delete all partitions, then create 1 partitions and proceed to load windows.

**hwm54112** · 10-03-2006, 10:26 PM

It sounds like you did either a repair install or a parallel install. A repair install over writes the existing windows files- your used drive space will remain about the same. A parallel install installs windows to a new folder leaving all of the old windows files intact- when you boot the computer you will have a choice between the new and old installations, the parallel install will use an additional 3-4 gigs of drive space.

If it’s your intent to install windows and have nothing else on the drive, you should partition and format the drive, then do a clean install of windows.

If you want to preserve your old data, you could use the new install to repair the old install, then delete the new windows folder. At that time you should click the tools menu>folder options>view tab- check “show hidden files and folders” and un-check “hide protected operating system files”. You may have some hidden files and folders left over from the new install

If you choose to do a clean install, you should zero or wipe the drive, then partition and format using the drive manufacturer’s utilities. That will clean everything off the disk, it will be “like new"

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316941/EN-US/

ren3gade · 10-03-2006, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hwm54112

It sounds like you did either a repair install or a parallel install. A repair install over writes the existing windows files- your used drive space will remain about the same. A parallel install installs windows to a new folder leaving all of the old windows files intact- when you boot the computer you will have a choice between the new and old installations, the parallel install will use an additional 3-4 gigs of drive space.

If it’s your intent to install windows and have nothing else on the drive, you should partition and format the drive, then do a clean install of windows.

If you want to preserve your old data, you could use the new install to repair the old install, then delete the new windows folder. At that time you should click the tools menu>folder options>view tab- check “show hidden files and folders” and un-check “hide protected operating system files”. You may have some hidden files and folders left over from the new install

If you choose to do a clean install, you should zero or wipe the drive, then partition and format using the drive manufacturer’s utilities. That will clean everything off the disk, it will be “like new"

I want to do the second one. How do I use the new install to repair the old install, then delete the new windows folder?

**hwm54112** · 10-04-2006, 06:30 AM

copy the missing file from the new install to the old

ren3gade · 10-04-2006, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hwm54112

copy the missing file from the new install to the old

Uhmm, how exaclt do I do that? Do I do this by putting my windows disk in and pressing F8 and going through the whole set-up and everything?

**hwm54112** · 10-04-2006, 07:02 PM

Quote:

apperantly, a file in my system32 folder was deleted so I needed to reinstall it

Depending on what file it is, open the system32 folder of the new install, find the file that was deleted in the old install, and drag and drop it into the system32 folder of the old install.

Again, depending on what file it is, you may have to expand the file into the old system32 folder, from the new install or the install cd.

ren3gade · 10-04-2006, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hwm54112

Depending on what file it is, open the system32 folder of the new install, find the file that was deleted in the old install, and drag and drop it into the system32 folder of the old install.

Again, depending on what file it is, you may have to expand the file into the old system32 folder, from the new install or the install cd.

Eh, nevermind, I think I'd just rather clean my whole computer out and start over again. Mm, how do I zero or wipe the drive the whole drive and partition and format using the drive manufacturer’s utilities (where can this be found?)?

I apologize for all of these questions; I just want everything to be back to the way it was before and I don't mind deleting everything and starting over from scratch. I just need to know how to do it. >_>

**hwm54112** · 10-04-2006, 07:48 PM

No apologies neccessary. Asking questions is the only way to learn. click on this link: drive manufacturer’s utilities.. find the manufacturer of your drive and download the utility. From that, you will make a bootable cd or floppy. boot to that floppy and follow the directions to wipe or zero the drive (same thing just different terminology), then partition and format. Feel free to post back with any questions or concerns. we are here to help

Bill

ren3gade · 10-04-2006, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hwm54112

No apologies neccessary. Asking questions is the only way to learn. click on this link: drive manufacturer’s utilities.. find the manufacturer of your drive and download the utility. From that, you will make a bootable cd or floppy. boot to that floppy and follow the directions to wipe or zero the drive (same thing just different terminology), then partition and format. Feel free to post back with any questions or concerns. we are here to help

Bill

How do I know which one is the manufacturer of my drive? I have a Dell if it matters.

**hwm54112** · 10-04-2006, 08:30 PM

Click on My computer. rite click on the drive>select properties>hardware tab>the model number will probably be shown. For instance, my drives are listed as ST3160023a (it’s a Seagate) the other is listed as WDC WD2000BB-22GUA0 (western digital). If you don’t recognize the manufacturer based on that, you can google the model number or post it here and someone can tell you what it is.

Or you can open the computer and look if no model number is listed

ren3gade · 10-04-2006, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hwm54112

Click on My computer. rite click on the drive>select properties>hardware tab>the model number will probably be shown. For instance, my drives are listed as ST3160023a (it’s a Seagate) the other is listed as WDC WD2000BB-22GUA0 (western digital). If you don’t recognize the manufacturer based on that, you can google the model number or post it here and someone can tell you what it is.

Or you can open the computer and look if no model number is listed

Mine is Western Digital. Do I download evrything I can download from Western Digital?

**hwm54112** · 10-04-2006, 08:49 PM

I would download the first and third in the list-the first appears to be for setting up the drive and the third is diagnostics. The wipe could be on either or both. In any case, they're always good to have around.

~~OMGmissinglink~~ · 10-04-2006, 08:54 PM

WD install disk " requires 1 floppy disk"

http://websupport.wdc.com/rd.asp?p=s...etup11_dos.exe

ren3gade · 10-04-2006, 09:03 PM

Okay so.. in the Data Lifeguard Tools (first link), the options are:
Drive-to-Drive Copy Data
Reformat Partitions
Partition Unallocated Space.

and in the third one, there are things like AUTOEXE.BAT, COMMAND.COM.. DLGDIAG5.EXE, and some other stuff.

I'm not sure what I need to do.. Do I download the floppy one, or the CD one? And for either one, I need a black CD and/or floppy, right?

~~OMGmissinglink~~ · 10-04-2006, 09:19 PM

download the link posted you creat a floppy disk with it, this is the HD installation disk, meaning your boot your pc off the floppy drive the disk will take you through the install the HD to factory specks.

ren3gade · 10-04-2006, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OMGmissinglink

download the link posted you creat a floppy disk with it, this is the HD installation disk, meaning your boot your pc off the floppy drive the disk will take you through the install the HD to factory specks.

Ohh, so this is basically needed AFTER I clean everything out and start over again?

~~OMGmissinglink~~ · 10-04-2006, 09:25 PM

yes the install disk with set your HD to factory condition, the you should have an OS disk that came with the pc right/ this is your windows install disk.

ren3gade · 10-04-2006, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OMGmissinglink

yes the install disk with set your HD to factory condition, the you should have an OS disk that came with the pc right/ this is your windows install disk.

Yes, I do have the Windows XP install disk.

I still don't get how to clean out my Drive using the links..

~~OMGmissinglink~~ · 10-04-2006, 09:35 PM

when HD's come out of the factory they contain no data on them, you've got a floppy drive on your pc or not?

10-03-2006, 09:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
ren3gade Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 79 OS: WinXP	Memory Problem I'm new here, but I think this should go here.. Hi, I recently had a problem with my computer (particularly Windows). Okay, so, apperantly, a file in my system32 folder was deleted so I needed to reinstall it so I decided to just stick my Windows XP disc into my computer and redownload Windows. I thought it would delete everything I had before and give me all of the memory back, but apparently, it didn't. I barely have anything downloaded and I only have 750 MB/145 GB left og my C:. What's the problem? How do I fix it? Thanks.

10-04-2006, 07:48 PM	#9 (permalink)
hwm54112 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 2,233 OS: WINXP	No apologies neccessary. Asking questions is the only way to learn. click on this link: drive manufacturer’s utilities.. find the manufacturer of your drive and download the utility. From that, you will make a bootable cd or floppy. boot to that floppy and follow the directions to wipe or zero the drive (same thing just different terminology), then partition and format. Feel free to post back with any questions or concerns. we are here to help Bill Last edited by hwm54112; 10-04-2006 at 07:49 PM.

10-04-2006, 09:03 PM	#15 (permalink)
ren3gade Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 79 OS: WinXP	Okay so.. in the Data Lifeguard Tools (first link), the options are: Drive-to-Drive Copy Data Reformat Partitions Partition Unallocated Space. and in the third one, there are things like AUTOEXE.BAT, COMMAND.COM.. DLGDIAG5.EXE, and some other stuff. I'm not sure what I need to do.. Do I download the floppy one, or the CD one? And for either one, I need a black CD and/or floppy, right? Last edited by ren3gade; 10-04-2006 at 09:04 PM.

10-04-2006, 09:25 PM	#18 (permalink)
~~OMGmissinglink~~ Troubled Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,535 OS: XP Pro sp2 My System	yes the install disk with set your HD to factory condition, the you should have an OS disk that came with the pc right/ this is your windows install disk. Last edited by OMGmissinglink; 10-04-2006 at 09:27 PM.

10-03-2006, 10:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
~~OMGmissinglink~~ Troubled Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,535 OS: XP Pro sp2 My System	reinstall windows again, when you get to the parition screen delete all partitions, then create 1 partitions and proceed to load windows.

10-03-2006, 10:26 PM	#3 (permalink)
hwm54112 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 2,233 OS: WINXP	It sounds like you did either a repair install or a parallel install. A repair install over writes the existing windows files- your used drive space will remain about the same. A parallel install installs windows to a new folder leaving all of the old windows files intact- when you boot the computer you will have a choice between the new and old installations, the parallel install will use an additional 3-4 gigs of drive space. If it’s your intent to install windows and have nothing else on the drive, you should partition and format the drive, then do a clean install of windows. If you want to preserve your old data, you could use the new install to repair the old install, then delete the new windows folder. At that time you should click the tools menu>folder options>view tab- check “show hidden files and folders” and un-check “hide protected operating system files”. You may have some hidden files and folders left over from the new install If you choose to do a clean install, you should zero or wipe the drive, then partition and format using the drive manufacturer’s utilities. That will clean everything off the disk, it will be “like new" http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316941/EN-US/

10-04-2006, 06:30 AM	#5 (permalink)
hwm54112 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 2,233 OS: WINXP	copy the missing file from the new install to the old

10-04-2006, 08:30 PM	#11 (permalink)
hwm54112 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 2,233 OS: WINXP	Click on My computer. rite click on the drive>select properties>hardware tab>the model number will probably be shown. For instance, my drives are listed as ST3160023a (it’s a Seagate) the other is listed as WDC WD2000BB-22GUA0 (western digital). If you don’t recognize the manufacturer based on that, you can google the model number or post it here and someone can tell you what it is. Or you can open the computer and look if no model number is listed

10-04-2006, 08:49 PM	#13 (permalink)
hwm54112 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 2,233 OS: WINXP	I would download the first and third in the list-the first appears to be for setting up the drive and the third is diagnostics. The wipe could be on either or both. In any case, they're always good to have around.

10-04-2006, 08:54 PM	#14 (permalink)
~~OMGmissinglink~~ Troubled Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,535 OS: XP Pro sp2 My System	WD install disk " requires 1 floppy disk" http://websupport.wdc.com/rd.asp?p=s...etup11_dos.exe

10-04-2006, 09:19 PM	#16 (permalink)
~~OMGmissinglink~~ Troubled Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,535 OS: XP Pro sp2 My System	download the link posted you creat a floppy disk with it, this is the HD installation disk, meaning your boot your pc off the floppy drive the disk will take you through the install the HD to factory specks.

10-04-2006, 09:35 PM	#20 (permalink)
~~OMGmissinglink~~ Troubled Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,535 OS: XP Pro sp2 My System	when HD's come out of the factory they contain no data on them, you've got a floppy drive on your pc or not?