Help!!!

I don't know what to do or what I did to my computer. I have Windows XP
Professional and on my Local Disk D: 2.73 GB of space and only 110 MB of
space left, I also have a Local Disk C: 11.2 GB of space with 8.97 GB free.
My computer only wants to save installed programs to drive D, and I don't
know why, I guess this is my main hard drive but my problem is that with only
110 MB of space left on D, I can't don anything, my Disk Cleanup won't work
and I have tried everything, I have went and removed everything from my
computer except XP itself, my internet, and my printer, I am scared that I
messed something up when I tried to explore D: and erase files to try to free
up space, I also tried booting from the operating disk and doing a system
restore but then it made me call the Microsoft company just to get a
activation code to restart windows and then when it did restart windows it
just restored it back to the same condition it was in, I don't know what to
do, I was thinking about just trying to reinstall a clean XP and wiping
everything out but I didn't know if I did that if I would have to call
Microsoft again to reactivate my windows again, I don't even know why I had
to do that in the first place. Can someone please give me a clue as to what
to do.

drqc wrote:
> I don't know what to do or what I did to my computer. I have Windows XP
> Professional and on my Local Disk D: 2.73 GB of space and only 110 MB of
> space left, I also have a Local Disk C: 11.2 GB of space with 8.97 GB free.
> My computer only wants to save installed programs to drive D, and I don't
> know why, I guess this is my main hard drive but my problem is that with only
> 110 MB of space left on D, I can't don anything, my Disk Cleanup won't work
> and I have tried everything, I have went and removed everything from my
> computer except XP itself, my internet, and my printer, I am scared that I
> messed something up when I tried to explore D: and erase files to try to free
> up space, I also tried booting from the operating disk and doing a system
> restore but then it made me call the Microsoft company just to get a
> activation code to restart windows and then when it did restart windows it
> just restored it back to the same condition it was in, I don't know what to
> do, I was thinking about just trying to reinstall a clean XP and wiping
> everything out but I didn't know if I did that if I would have to call
> Microsoft again to reactivate my windows again, I don't even know why I had
> to do that in the first place. Can someone please give me a clue as to what
> to do.

First make sure that any data you wish to retain is backed up to CD or
on some external form of storage.

Second, make sure you have you driver disks for your motherboard,
video, sound, printer etc.

Third, ensure that you have the product key for your XP CD, if you do
not have it at hand go to
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml , get the key finder
and write the key down.

The following steps WILL wipe your drives and create a single C: drive.

1.Ensure that the BIOS is set to boot from the CD as the first boot
device.
2. Place your XP CD in the CD drive and reboot the machine
3. Go through to setup XP and delete both partitions
3. Reboot the machine from the XP CD
4. Alow setup to run, you should be given the opertunity to format the
HDD, do so then let XP install.
5. Once installed reset your BIOS so that the HDD is the first boot
device
6. Install the required other drivers
7. You will need to reactivate windows.

If your machine has SP2 on it and you CD does not have SP2 you will
either have to uninstall SP2 or slipstream SP2 to your version of XP.

Slipstreamed Windows XP CD Using SP2
http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp2_cd.htm

How to use AutoStreamer to Slipstream Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://www.simplyguides.net/guides/u...ostreamer.html

Windows XP Service Pack 2 - Direct Download
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

1. Do you have a Windows directory on your C drive? D drive?
2. Do you have a Program Files directory on your C drive? D drive?
3. Please post the contents of your boot.ini file

bxf wrote:
> 1. Do you have a Windows directory on your C drive? D drive?
> 2. Do you have a Program Files directory on your C drive? D drive?
> 3. Please post the contents of your boot.ini file

One more thing: if you need space urgently, see if Hibernation is
enabled on your machine. If it is, you can regain space equivalent to
the amount of RAM you have by turning Hibernation off: Control Panel >
Power Settings > Hibernation.

I have a windows and Program Files directory on the C and D drive, that is
what I don't understand also is that I have alot of the same files on both
drives - thanks for your help I did make more room by turning off the
hibernation. Where is the file boot.ini?

"bxf" wrote:

>
> bxf wrote:
> > 1. Do you have a Windows directory on your C drive? D drive?
> > 2. Do you have a Program Files directory on your C drive? D drive?
> > 3. Please post the contents of your boot.ini file
>
> One more thing: if you need space urgently, see if Hibernation is
> enabled on your machine. If it is, you can regain space equivalent to
> the amount of RAM you have by turning Hibernation off: Control Panel >
> Power Settings > Hibernation.
>
>

I have backed up my settings and files on a CD, I have the disks for my
printer, internet and my Microsoft Office and my XP operating disk but what
are you talking about motherboard disk? I have the product key for my XP but
when I did that system restore it rejected it and made me call Microsoft for
a id code, I don't know why. I don't mean to sound stupid here but what is
BIOS, when I put a disk in my computer automatically runs the program, is
that what you mean? When I do this will it take me through the steps to
install other drivers? I just want to make sure I have everything clear so I
don't screw up, I have never done any of this before. How do I know if I
have SP2? Also if I need to download SP2 can I do it after I have
reinstalled XP? Sorry if this is alot of questions.

"GreenieLeBrun" wrote:

>
> drqc wrote:
> > I don't know what to do or what I did to my computer. I have Windows XP
> > Professional and on my Local Disk D: 2.73 GB of space and only 110 MB of
> > space left, I also have a Local Disk C: 11.2 GB of space with 8.97 GB free.
> > My computer only wants to save installed programs to drive D, and I don't
> > know why, I guess this is my main hard drive but my problem is that with only
> > 110 MB of space left on D, I can't don anything, my Disk Cleanup won't work
> > and I have tried everything, I have went and removed everything from my
> > computer except XP itself, my internet, and my printer, I am scared that I
> > messed something up when I tried to explore D: and erase files to try to free
> > up space, I also tried booting from the operating disk and doing a system
> > restore but then it made me call the Microsoft company just to get a
> > activation code to restart windows and then when it did restart windows it
> > just restored it back to the same condition it was in, I don't know what to
> > do, I was thinking about just trying to reinstall a clean XP and wiping
> > everything out but I didn't know if I did that if I would have to call
> > Microsoft again to reactivate my windows again, I don't even know why I had
> > to do that in the first place. Can someone please give me a clue as to what
> > to do.
>
> First make sure that any data you wish to retain is backed up to CD or
> on some external form of storage.
>
> Second, make sure you have you driver disks for your motherboard,
> video, sound, printer etc.
>
> Third, ensure that you have the product key for your XP CD, if you do
> not have it at hand go to
> http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml , get the key finder
> and write the key down.
>
> The following steps WILL wipe your drives and create a single C: drive.
>
> 1.Ensure that the BIOS is set to boot from the CD as the first boot
> device.
> 2. Place your XP CD in the CD drive and reboot the machine
> 3. Go through to setup XP and delete both partitions
> 3. Reboot the machine from the XP CD
> 4. Alow setup to run, you should be given the opertunity to format the
> HDD, do so then let XP install.
> 5. Once installed reset your BIOS so that the HDD is the first boot
> device
> 6. Install the required other drivers
> 7. You will need to reactivate windows.
>
> If your machine has SP2 on it and you CD does not have SP2 you will
> either have to uninstall SP2 or slipstream SP2 to your version of XP.
>
> Slipstreamed Windows XP CD Using SP2
> http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp2_cd.htm
>
> How to use AutoStreamer to Slipstream Windows XP Service Pack 2
> http://www.simplyguides.net/guides/u...ostreamer.html
>
> Windows XP Service Pack 2 - Direct Download
> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en
>
>

drqc wrote:
> I have backed up my settings and files on a CD, I have the disks for my
> printer, internet and my Microsoft Office and my XP operating disk but what
> are you talking about motherboard disk? I have the product key for my XP but
> when I did that system restore it rejected it and made me call Microsoft for
> a id code, I don't know why. I don't mean to sound stupid here but what is
> BIOS, when I put a disk in my computer automatically runs the program, is
> that what you mean? When I do this will it take me through the steps to
> install other drivers? I just want to make sure I have everything clear so I
> don't screw up, I have never done any of this before. How do I know if I
> have SP2? Also if I need to download SP2 can I do it after I have
> reinstalled XP? Sorry if this is alot of questions.

The BIOS is the Basic Input Output System (see
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/B/BIOS.html) it is what starts your
computer up before the operating system is loaded.

You access the BIOS by pressing a key or combination of keys often Del,
F1, F2, Ctrl-Esc etc usually just after the memory checking has
finished. This key or key combination is set by the motherboard or
computer manufacturer so you will need to look at your manual.

Many motherboards come with a driver CD that contains drivers for
onboard video, ethernet, sound, SATA, AGP etc. plus utilities or trial
software, again this depends on the manufacturer.

You can find out what service pack you have by right clicking on My
Computer and then selecting properties.

Yes you can down load SP2 and install it later (I included the link in
my earlier reply)

It sounds as if you have a proprietry brand PC (Dell, HP, Compaq etc)
look at http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;326904
this may be why your key was rejected.

>
> "GreenieLeBrun" wrote:
>
> >
> > drqc wrote:
> > > I don't know what to do or what I did to my computer. I have Windows XP
> > > Professional and on my Local Disk D: 2.73 GB of space and only 110 MB of
> > > space left, I also have a Local Disk C: 11.2 GB of space with 8.97 GB free.
> > > My computer only wants to save installed programs to drive D, and I don't
> > > know why, I guess this is my main hard drive but my problem is that with only
> > > 110 MB of space left on D, I can't don anything, my Disk Cleanup won't work
> > > and I have tried everything, I have went and removed everything from my
> > > computer except XP itself, my internet, and my printer, I am scared that I
> > > messed something up when I tried to explore D: and erase files to try to free
> > > up space, I also tried booting from the operating disk and doing a system
> > > restore but then it made me call the Microsoft company just to get a
> > > activation code to restart windows and then when it did restart windows it
> > > just restored it back to the same condition it was in, I don't know what to
> > > do, I was thinking about just trying to reinstall a clean XP and wiping
> > > everything out but I didn't know if I did that if I would have to call
> > > Microsoft again to reactivate my windows again, I don't even know why I had
> > > to do that in the first place. Can someone please give me a clue as to what
> > > to do.
> >
> > First make sure that any data you wish to retain is backed up to CD or
> > on some external form of storage.
> >
> > Second, make sure you have you driver disks for your motherboard,
> > video, sound, printer etc.
> >
> > Third, ensure that you have the product key for your XP CD, if you do
> > not have it at hand go to
> > http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml , get the key finder
> > and write the key down.
> >
> > The following steps WILL wipe your drives and create a single C: drive.
> >
> > 1.Ensure that the BIOS is set to boot from the CD as the first boot
> > device.
> > 2. Place your XP CD in the CD drive and reboot the machine
> > 3. Go through to setup XP and delete both partitions
> > 3. Reboot the machine from the XP CD
> > 4. Alow setup to run, you should be given the opertunity to format the
> > HDD, do so then let XP install.
> > 5. Once installed reset your BIOS so that the HDD is the first boot
> > device
> > 6. Install the required other drivers
> > 7. You will need to reactivate windows.
> >
> > If your machine has SP2 on it and you CD does not have SP2 you will
> > either have to uninstall SP2 or slipstream SP2 to your version of XP.
> >
> > Slipstreamed Windows XP CD Using SP2
> > http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp2_cd.htm
> >
> > How to use AutoStreamer to Slipstream Windows XP Service Pack 2
> > http://www.simplyguides.net/guides/u...ostreamer.html
> >
> > Windows XP Service Pack 2 - Direct Download
> > http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en
> >
> >

OK, you somehow ended up with two installations of Windows - one on
each of your C and D drives. Now I am trying to determine which of
these two Operating Systems you are actually using.

The boot.init file "controls" the starting of Windows by guiding the
process to the appropriate disk/partition. I am assuming that when you
start up you DO NOT get a choice of Operating Systems to boot, so I
expect a single line in the boot.ini file, and this will tell us which
drive's OS is actually in use.That should make the OS on the other
drive expendible.

You will find the boot.ini file on your C drive, NOT within any folder.
If you don't see it using Windows Explorer, do the following:

- Open Folder Options in Control Panel (Start > Settings > Control
Panel)
- Double-click Folder Options
- On the View tab, under Hidden files and folders, click "Show hidden
files and
folders" and also "Show System folders" (or somesuch phrase - not sure
this one is required).

Now if you view your C drive in Explorer you should see boot.ini.
Double click it and Notepad will come up. DO NOT make any changes to
the contents!!!


drqc wrote:
> I have a windows and Program Files directory on the C and D drive, that is
> what I don't understand also is that I have alot of the same files on both
> drives - thanks for your help I did make more room by turning off the
> hibernation. Where is the file boot.ini?
>
> "bxf" wrote:
>
> >
> > bxf wrote:
> > > 1. Do you have a Windows directory on your C drive? D drive?
> > > 2. Do you have a Program Files directory on your C drive? D drive?
> > > 3. Please post the contents of your boot.ini file