Member Avatar for cf_guy

I installed XP on a new drive and used the wrong serial number. I then went to reinstall but didn't reformat. Now I have all these weird directories that I can't get rid of. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Derek

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Short recap: installed XP with the wrong key, reinstalled without formatting and ended up with odd, undeletable folders. had the right instincts (check attributes, try Recovery Console or another Windows install) and pointed out that a clean format is the simplest fix. The following expands practical options to remove stubborn folders without losing data and what to try when safe mode or Explorer refuse to cooperate.

Why files resist deletion: setup runs without formatting can leave files with protected attributes, locked handles, or ACL/ownership that prevent normal deletion. Trying to delete while the OS or a service is using those files can cause crashes. Always back up anything important before attempting destructive fixes.

Practical, ordered steps to try (non-destructive first):

  • If another working Windows can mount the disk (install the drive as a secondary), use an elevated command prompt there or boot a WinPE/BartPE or a modern Linux live CD with NTFS write support to remove the folders. From an admin command prompt you can reset ACLs and remove recursively:
cacls "C:\FolderToRemove" /E /T /C /G Administrators:F
del /f /s /q "C:\FolderToRemove\*.*"
rd /s /q "C:\FolderToRemove"
  • If you cannot boot another Windows, boot from the XP CD and choose Repair to get the Recovery Console. From the RC prompt try removing files and then the folder:
del C:\FolderToRemove\*.*
rd C:\FolderToRemove
  • If deletions fail because files are locked, identify the locking process from a working environment using Process Explorer or Sysinternals Handle and stop that process/service before deleting.

If none of the above is safe or successful, a full format and clean reinstall (after backing up data) is the fastest guaranteed way to remove leftover setup artifacts.

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Member Avatar for antioed

Looks pretty strange...have you looked at the attributes on the folders to see if there is a read-only flag? Do you have another install of Windows that you can boot into with this drive as secondary and try to remove that way? Using the Recovery Console from the repair option in XP would also be a thing to try...possibly you could remove it from there. Atleast you just did the install...why not re-format quick NTFS and reinstall? Good luck!

Member Avatar for cf_guy

Ya, i did the attrib -rash, nothing. it's like they are system files.

now that u mention it, I do have my old drive in there and i should be able to boot to it. Gonna try that tonite.

THanks,
D

Member Avatar for cf_guy

nope, it crashes and reboots even in safe mode. no go there.

Member Avatar for cf_guy

YES!! Finally got it done!!

Member Avatar for Kinseeker69

I installed XP on a new drive and used the wrong serial number. I then went to reinstall but didn't reformat. Now I have all these weird directories that I can't get rid of. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Derek

if you used the wrong serial number it might because you used the wrong number. Your best bet is to reformat and start clean.

Member Avatar for cf_guy

like i said, i reinstalled with the correct number.
anyway, it's all taken care of

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