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Boot from Windows XP CD and proceed to Windows installation. After the MS License Agreement (F8), you can delete and create any partitions.

The fdisk utility will not always delete partitions that are ntfs or linus. You will need to use a utility like delpart (ms) or Ranish partition manager. Here's the links:

Delpart: http://www.russelltexas.com/delpart.htm

Ranish: http://www.ranish.com/part/

Cheers.

RW

E-Mail me before you start I can step-by-step you through the partitions removal, then the install in DOS. (Something MS said originally couldn't be done). After the new partitions are set up properly, Win98SE is installed first on \ then WinXP Pro CD i386 files are copied to C via the Windows Explorer in Win98SE 1 more simple file is copied from the Windows folder on \Win98SE to a Utilities folder you create on C:\, then a restart using the Win98SE boot disk, correct path in DOS is set to install from the copied i386 files on C , when done the bootldr is installed by Win XP, sounds simple and it is, but it is a much cleaner install than I have seen yet for dual booting Win98Se & XP Home or Pro. Have done approx 85 of them. C must be XP Pro, \ or further up the chain must or should be the Win98SE. A Win98Se boot disk or Emergency Startup Disk is used to delete the partitions using FDISK the option #4 (view partitions only), #3, #2, #1 in order. Could also try ZAP to write zeroes to the drive or the Norton Wipe program.

What mfg HDD is it? As each has it's own wipe tool/utility (Low Level Format Tool). If you low level format ALL DATA will be lost including all OS's, then the partitions will easily be removed using FDISK and a Win98SE boot disk. I have found sometimes setting the Floppy as the first boot device in CMOS setup, removing the HDD as a boot device temp. will take Win XP Bootldr out of the boot order and it won't automatically boot to WinXP around the floppy, so it boots to the floppy actually allowing you to then use FDISK to delete stubborn partitions. Then remember to reset the HDD in the boot order on the first re-boot.

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