Cannot delete unuse o.s. system files

[dickson]

Hi,

Recently i add a new hard disk and installing a new os to it (both XP & Vista, and works fine). Then my computer total have 2 physical hard disk. Now my old hard disk also have both xp & vista, inside have some system files that i want to delete (i.e. D:\windows), then i tried following tasks:

1. Booting os from new hard disk, and try to format old hard disk (it say some files in use, cannot format)

2. Directly deleting old HD system files, but it also said some files in use.

3. Boot to safe mode, and try to delete old HD system files, still said files in use.

From my point of view, because it boot the os from new HD, why it also load/use old HD system files?

p.s. i also read Raymond's article and follow the instruction, but unlocker said no lock on selected object

Does anyone know howto delete files successfully?

Thanks~

[Raymond]

Why don't you just format the drive?

[gurjeetkomal]

you can do this by booting into windows xp bootable cd
please backup your data first
1.boot into cd
2.when blue screen appears and installation start select drive and press "d" to delete, then confirm
3.then select unallocated free space press "c" to create new drive, then restart
4.enjoy free space

[Raymond]

Well, the easier way.

Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Computer Management > Storage > Disk Management.

Right click the partition you want to format and select Format.

[gurjeetkomal]

1. Booting os from new hard disk, and try to format old hard disk (it say some files in use, cannot format)

2. Directly deleting old HD system files, but it also said some files in use.

3. Boot to safe mode, and try to delete old HD system files, still said files in use.

so booting is needed

[Raymond]

huh?

[gurjeetkomal]

What huh?

[mEtRiX]

Please refrain yourself from writing stupid replies or I will consider this SPAM and lock the topic. You don't need to approve of someone's post. If you don't understand something, try to form a meaningful question rather than just repeat what has already been told.

[gurjeetkomal]

okay

[gravitygun]

If you were unable to format then it can be user access restriction. Use some bootable linux cd and delete those files coz linux dont recognize windows permissions