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Uninstalling Windows ME

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5 replies

by fraiha

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I decided to finally get rid of Windows ME which came default with the computer. Before anything, i installed Windows 2000. Now i have two OSes that i get to chose from everytime i start my computer. Any ideas on how to remove Windows ME? Add & Remove Program; dosn't seem to work as it does not appear. I also only have the "Reinstall Disc" for Windows ME, no boot discs or anything.

5 replies

by onlinetechno

Hi,

To avoid choosing the OS at boot up , you can edit the boot.ini file and remove the line with ME Os . And since the OS are installed in different directory, you can delete the one where ME is installed. If other application programs was installed in ME, then locate the path and install the same program in same path in Win2K. make sure you have a back up of all your data and drivers for the system.

by dmiles

Remove Win9x/Me & Keep Win XP/2000/NT.
We just make XP/2K/NT the Default OS. Then edit Boot.ini to remove the Win 9x line and to make Timeout=0. XP/2K/NT will now boot directly. The Win 9x directory can then be deleted.
Do not use System or Msconfig to disable the Win9x - that's unsatisactory.

Example: Uninstall Windows 9x from a Dual-Boot with XP: (2K/NT are the same)
1. Create a temporary Rescue Bootdisk for your current situation (1 floppy disk).
2. Tip: Boot Win9x. Uninstall any Win9x-only software that's mixed in with XP software.
3. Make XP the Default operating system: (Control Panel > System > Advanced tab
> Startup and Recovery > Settings > "Default operating system" list in System startup).
4. Boot XP. Backup Boot.ini to Boot.inn (Boot.ini is in root of the system partition).
5. Go to Start > Run. Type in - press [Enter] after each line
CMD
CD..
ATTRIB -R -S -H BOOT.INI
NOTEPAD BOOT.INI
Confirm that the Default= line points to your XP installation, and not to Win9x.
If only one OS will remain, change the Timeout=? to TIMEOUT=0
Delete the Win9x line [C:\="Microsoft Windows 9x"].
5. Save as Boot.ini, and exit Notepad. Then
ATTRIB +R +S +H BOOT.INI
6. Close the Command box, and Reboot. It will boot straight to XP (if Timeout=0). Test.
7. If all is satisfactory, create a new Rescue Bootdisk to reflect your new situation.
8. Delete the Win9x installation directory (usually C:\Windows) and any unrequired Win9x data.
9. Delete the Win9x bootfiles: C:\Io.sys, Msdos.sys (Hidden files), Command.com.
Warning: Do not Format the drive containing Boot.ini (that's the system partition!).

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