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itprotocallFlag for India

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Remove parallel install of Windows Server 2008, alongside Windows XP

I have a desktop with WinXP SP2 running on C:
i had done a parallel install of Win2008 Ent on D: drive

now the license has expired for Win2008 and i want to remove it completely from the system, without affecting the XP installation
and if possible retain some data on D: drive

any way to get this done?
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zelron22

Yes.  Delete the D:\windows folder.  Edit C:\boot.ini and delete the line for the option for Windows Server 2008.

Delete anything else on D: that you don't want to keep.
You need to delete the Server 2008 line in the Boot.ini as per here

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/289022

Then delete all files apart from the ones you want to keep on the D Drive

Regards
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ASKER

i am unable to delete the Windows folder on the 2nd drive - access denied errors.

there is no entry for win2008 in the boot.ini in on C:\

PS: i don't think there is a boot.ini in Vista/2008
Try booting XP in safe mode
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Brum07
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still no luck... even in safe mode, i am unable to delete d:\windows

i managed to edit the bootloader for 2008 using EasyBCD.
(i just uninstalled the vista/2008 boot loader)

now my machine boots into XP by default...

But many of the folders in D:\windows are still giving access is denied!
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SysExpert
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Thanks SysExpert, it worked.

changed owner to local administrator of XP.

added the local admin account with full control & propagated permissions to all child objects.

now i was able to delete the folders & files... for d:\windows, d:\program files... etc.

Thanks all! this saved me a lot of effort and data!