Deleting Files

[EER002]

Due to flaky operation of Vista, over the weekend I decided to reinstall Vista using the Dell DVD supplied when I bought the unit.

During installation, I received messages that the computer would reboot. When it did that, the opening screen of a new install kept coming up on the screen. I completed the sign on several times and then realizing I wasn't getting anywhere past this screen, I thought I had to remove the DVD when it was rebooting. That helped me move past and finish the setup.

Now, I've got three folders called windows old, ... old 1 and ... old 2 that contain like 20 GB each. They aren't used and I would like to remove them. When I try to remove them, the system won't let me, even though I am the administrator. Reading thru the forums, I am getting the impression some files that are installed by the "installer" are unremoveable. They are taking up some 60 GB of space.

How do I get rid of them?

Thanks.

 

[richc46]

Welcome
You have come to the right forum. We have a tutorial just for you.
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/240390-windows-old-folder-delete.html

May I respectfully suggest that you install again, using a clean install it is much much better.
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/68767-clean-install-upgrade-vista.html?ltr=C
If you have window.old you did what is known as an upgrade. It is not as good. The new install will remove windows.old, too.

 

[EER002]

Rich c46,
Thanks much for the valuable info. I'll try it tonight.
You mentioned doing a clean install. The disk I received from Dell appears to be the program files they used to install vista from the factory. This is not to be an upgrade, just a re-installation of the same software. (I was getting errors upon boot up recently, so I thought I should re-install the same software - I am not getting any error messages now :D)......

Would I have to reformat the drive first, then put this Dell disk in and let it fly ??

I imagine I will also have to let it install all the updates - A very time consuming action, seeing I'm updating from day one.

Your help is always appreciated.

Eric

 

[richc46]

Eric
If you have a install DVD from the company that sold your computer, it should be able to do both a clean install and an upgrade install. To be safe, just call your computer company. If you can do a clean install, it merely means that you format, all the old stuff will be gone and everything is new again. You do want to back up your important stuff first and yes, I am sorry, you must do all the updates, etc again.
You said that your DVD just installs the same files, yes I agree. If you install with the old OS in place it may install as an upgrade. If you format it installs as a clean install.
Because you seem to be genuinely interested in the advice that this Forum can offer, I will give you information on how to maintain a clean install and how to make sure that this never happens again. After you are all set with your clean install and are satisfied, just post, mention my name and ask for the information, Ill be here for you.

Note The word upgrade in my context does not actually mean upgrade to Seven etc. In this context its more of a repair, and not an install.