Windows XP HOME SP3
Dell Dimension 2350 Computer
Internet Explorer 8
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Recently I had a "clean install", using Dell CD #3.

In different dates, I had received from Dell 3 Reinstallation CDs of the Operating System, as per my REQUEST:

#1.-Reinstallation CD - Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Service Pack 1 (it came when I bought the computer from Dell).
#2.-Reinstallation CD - Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Service Pack 2.
#3.-Reintsallation CD - Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Service Pack 3, for Ultra Low Cost PCs.

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My question:

How could I remove duplicate folders and files that I found in Windows Explore, after the last reinstallation? I lost about 10 GB in the harddrive of 40GB.

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Please advise.

Thank you.


Where are the other 2 CD's from ? ?
Why not just use th 1 that came with the MACHINE ? ?The 3 Cds came from Dell.

I figured if I was using the CD #3 the system would be upgraded.

What duplicate folders are you talking about? And if you ran cd3 as an inplace upgrade then it did just that, but if you ran it as a new install you probably have two windows installations.Hi Allan,

I went to Windows Explore and found:

All Users
All Users.WINDOWS.0
All Users.WINDOWS.1

Default User
Default User.WINDOWS.0
Default User.WINDOWS.1

Owner
Owner.RC
Owner.RC.000

WINDOWS
WINDOWS.0
WINDOWS.1

I also found that the "Current Product Key" is different that the "Original Product Key".

Please help me.

Thank you.
You have Windows INSTALLED twice...let us know where you want to go from here...
But i'd suggest wiping the drive and starting over...Actually it looks like 3 installations. I agree with patio - if I were you I'd backup DATA and start again.
Hi Allan,

Please let me know how to proceed, so I can start from the scratch.

Thank you.


Boot to the XP SP3 CD. When the installation process starts you'll be given the option to format before proceeding - choose that option. Then go ahead and install.Because of #1 CD was the original Operating System that came with the Dell Computer 2350, it would not be better to use it, instead of #3 CD?

Also, please give some tips how to start the "clean install".

Thank you for your advise.If disc 3 is a complete XP SP3 version then that's what you use. Enter your bios and make sure the cd is the first device in the boot order. Then insert the cd and reboot.Thanks again for your valued information.

Have a nice day.You're welcome. Please stop back when you've completed the process and let us know it's all good.I will do it.