XP Install wont let me delete main partition

[tradejose]

I accidentally tried running the WinXP setup from Windows and selected the clean install from there... but I looks like it already copied to the install files to my only and main partition, c: before I could format it. Now when I try to boot from the CD and try and delete that partition, it wont let me do it saying that it has some files that windows needs for the install.

 

[ShadowBlade]

put in another system and format would be the easy way out
im sure theres a more technical way, but i dont know it

 

[Basie]

Try using the Recovey Console. Take a look at this KB Article for more Information.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314058/EN-US/ Use the Format command.

 

[QD]

when you do a clean install from hardrive, it will run for a bit, reboot and then give you an option of continuing the started install. Just go along with it and you will finish instralling the new copy of windows. Don't try to boot from the CD and let it do it's thing.

If that for some reason doesn't work, just boot from the CD and do another clean install