unable to delete old system files

flashassassin · 29 May 2009 at 22:17

ive had to replace my motherboard and reinstall windows.
my hard drive was originally split into 4 partitions.
the old xp installation was on C.
when i reinstalled windows it wouldnt let me format the old system drive so i installed onto another partition. this was automatically renamed to C.
everything works fine except i have this useless partition (now drive D) which it wont let me delete or format because i dont have admin rights on it. i have tried changing permissions ect but still no go.

is there a way i can wipe this partition?
thanks

flashassassin · 30 May 2009 at 15:14

any ideas anyone ? please

Memphis · 30 May 2009 at 15:31

If you are logged on with an Administrator account, you need to take ownership of the drive.

flashassassin · 31 May 2009 at 20:29

thanks.

i have tried that. i have managed to get rid of some files but most still wont let me. is there any other way? i thought i read somewhere that there is a program that would do this?

Memphis · 31 May 2009 at 20:33

When you take ownership, are you telling it cascade through all subfolders and files? There is no reason you shouldn't be able to remove everything after you've done that.

Actually, having re-read your initial post, can you not just use Disk Manager to remove the partition and recreate it?

miniyazz · 31 May 2009 at 22:43

I have a similar problem actually, in that I have a Win7 bootmgr and associated language files as a remnant of an installation I cancelled because I noticed it was putting these things in the wrong place, i.e. a different drive to my OS drive. Tried taking ownership and deleting, just like the OP, and that doesn't work. Unfortunately it's a 1tb drive and I don't want to format it and recopy my data, it doesn't bother me that much, it's just a bit annoying.
To the OP though, formatting, whether in Windows or DOS/Live disk if Windows is being weird about it, is probably the best option.