Thanks for your reply to this thread, much appreciated.
I guess I should clarify: I re-installed WinXP on D:, so that I still had access to the OS on C: until I had re-installed all of my apps. I use other HD partitions for data files for my apps (including outlook.pst for MSOutlook), with the actual application files defaulted to C: or D: \ Program Files \. As I reinstalled applications onto the new OS on D:, I would point them to the existing data files on the other HD partitions.
Once I had the new OS on D: fully configured, I then proceeded to attempt to delete the old OS files on C:. I have kept (and have backed up on a floppy) the following files on C:. which I understand are related to the boot process:
boot.ini, ntldr devicetable.log, hiberfil.sys, ntdetect.com, io.sys, autoexec.bat, config.sys
As a safeguard, I first moved all of the files on C: that I wished to delete to a new folder on C: that I called Bruces Trash. I figured I could recover them later if required, if only by booting up to DOS from a floppy (which I have later found does not work, as the DOS cannot see the HD partitions- which really surprised me).
Now, after several months of successful operations in using the new OS, I would like to delete all those files on C:. other than those above that are required to re-boot. This is where the trouble began
. Now, when I try deleting some of these files, I get an error message saying the file couldn't be found. Then, the computer hangs (used to reboot, but I disabled the Automatic Restart option). Even clicking on some of these files causes the same to occur. Is it possible that the HD file table is hosed (format is NTFS- does it have some sort of FAT? ).?
Thanks- appreciate your help.
Bruce.