microsoft pc- 2nd hard drive died. some programs still reference that drive. how do I remove all references?
958847
You will have to do a complete reinstall and reformat of the drive. To do this, when reinstalling and it says it already exists, escape and go to the partition disk manager and have it erase existing partitions and create a new installation partition, then format it with NTFS and continue with the installation. Another option to reformat the drive is to use a tool such as the Ultimate Boot CD, and use it formatting tools such as Ranish Partition Manager to create your new install partition.
180227
As far as Windows is concerned its gone for ever.\n\nThe data still remains on your harddrive after permanent delete. However, Windows deletes it from the harddrive directory and marks that space as 'empty'. So in future windows will use it to write new files (in that case it is permanently gone).\n\nIf no files ever get written on it; certain crude hard drive utilities can still recover that data.\n\nThe best way to remove data PERMANENTLY INDEED is to overwrite the full drive with something like multiple copies of a word document / music file until the drive gets full.
853921
Yes, there are a number of programs that will wipe your hard drive and let you start afresh. Have a look on www.tucows.com
760752
try Eraser : http://www.heidi.ie/eraser/\n\nSimply formatting your drive won't completely delete your files. Any UNDELETE programs out there can restore your files. \n\nWhat is Eraser? \n \nEraser is an advanced security tool (for Windows), which allows you to completely remove sensitive data from your hard drive by overwriting it several times with carefully selected patterns.
91667
Hi, you will want to install a new hard drive. You can leave the old one in. You will have to move the jumper on the old one and set it to "slave" Put your new drive where the old one was. Put the jumper on the new drive where the jumper was on the old drive initially. This will make the new drive "master" It is probably like this by default.\n\nYou can now throw away the one that is about to break completely.\n\nNow you will install windows fresh on your new drive. Once in windows, you have an extra drive(old one). You can now move any information you need from the old drive to the new drive without having to boot to it.\n\nhope that helps....if you need more assistance, edit your post or feel free to shoot me an email. It's not very complicated to do this.  No need to stress!
191379
I ran into a similar problem and deleted the program, then in browsing the owners manual I found an article about expanding a "Fat file" or "Partician". I haven't tried it yet, but it seems that windows doesn't use the entire hard-drive. And you can get more space to use by figuering out how to use these tools. Hope that helps, I've had to put my favorite computer in the shop after messing with something that didn't work as it was supposed to. (Windows reload) from supplied discs.\nSomething else you might try......See if you can add memory chips. Office depot carries them.
707314
just reformat everything.  the windows o/s you have should boot automatically from your CD-ROM.  there are free utilities from majorgeeks.com to retrieve your lost data, even if you've reformatted the drive(s).  good luck, you're NOT an idiot.  everyone has had their computer woes.  how'd your Vista go?
724841
You can restore the file only if the place on the hard drive has not been over written. \nTry using a file recovery program like this one:\nhttp://officerecovery.com/freeundelete/
1169568
First off - if the problem is not mechanical but just that your computer can't read the drive i.e. the thing hic-cups and makes noises but doesn't let you get to the data, then there is a freeware program called PC Inspector File recovery. This works well and I have used it a few times.  If you enter http://www.pcinspector.de/file_recovery/UK/welcome.htm in the address bar that will take to their site. \nIf the drive is just dead and will not do a thing then I am afraid it will cost money to get back the data. One such company is called Ontrack & the tel. is 0800 243 996 \nGood luck!!!!!!
75983
provided that you installed it and formatted properly.. you can just access both hard drive folders and use the old click and drag method..
1377
If there is no critial data on the drive, use the control panel to remove all of the programs which have nothing to do with the hardware function.  Often you can use an internet search engine to help sort out what is best to leave.  Make sure that you delete any games.  Use Explorer to delete any directories for the games and programs removed.\n\nNext delete all of the files from My Documents.\nNow you need to run a utility called Disk Cleanup.  This will depend upon which version of Windows you have, but you should be able to find it using the Help function (It is usually found in Programs, under Accessories, System Tools).  Delete every thing that you can, including the stuff in the Trash can.\n\nNext open My Computer and highlight and select your hard drive with a single right click.  You should see an options window open.  Left click on Properties to open a drive window.  Next left click on the Tools tab, followed by the Defragment button.\n\nOnce the Defrag is done, your drive is going to be as clean as you can get it without special programs or information.  Windows should not be affected.
732286
Sounds like you some how got into the registry or system files, and deleted one of your basic drivers.  Either that or you have a boot sector virus.  Use your recovery disc if your computer came with one, if not, your going to spend a lot of money to regain the use of your computer.\n\nBeware, almost all recovery discs completely re-install the OS, so you will lose any information that you had saved.  If you have another computer to use, and you know how to connect a hard drive, then this is how you dont lose your info.  Take the HD out of your dead computer, set it as a slave, plug it into your other computer, and start it up.  When it starts up, it will probably take a minute for it to recognize the HD, but when it does, go to My Computer>F (or what ever the drive letter is)>Documents And Settings> john (or what ever your name is, or if you have multiple acounts, do this to all of them) and drag and drop that folder onto your desktop, it will take a good bit of time to copy it there, but it should work.  Then turn off your computer, take the HD out, put it back in the dead computer, and go have it fixed.  That way, when you get it back and all your info is gone, just put the new HD back into your other computer, turn it on etc. once it recognizes it, simply drag and drop the files you copied onto the desktop, back into "Documents and Settings", badda bing, badda boom, you have all your stuff back.  Dont forget to set the HD back to either Wire Select or Master before you put it back into the dead/previously dead computer.
1018310
Click on Start- Control Panel- Add/Remove Programs- Find the  program- Click on Remove/un-install button. If it doesn't allow to remove the program from Add/Remove programs try deleting it from Registry.\n\nPlease follow the steps below to delete the program from Registry.\nThese steps involve Windows Registry modifications and hence I suggest you take a backup of the registry before applying the solution.\nRegistry Backup:\n1. Click Start, Run and type regedit.\n2. Click File on Registry menu and select Export to File option.\n3. Select the radio button beside “All” option.\n4. Give a file name (say regbackup) and save it onto the desktop.\n\nPlease follow the steps below to delet the program from Registry\n1. Click Start, Run and type regedit and hit enter to open Registry menu.\n2. Click "+" beside HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.\n3. Click "+" beside Software .\n4. Click "+" beside Microsoft.\n5. Click "+" beside Windows.\n6. Click "+" beside CurrentVersion.\n7. Click "+" beside Uninstall.\n\nTry to find the program which you want to delete. After finding the program, Right-Click on the program and select Delete/Uninstall.\n\nAfter deleting the program, close the Registry Menu and restart the system.
40245
if you don't want replace this hard drive, the best bet is - do a thorough disk check on it. this will mark all bad sectors and will take them out of use.\nafter you start that disk check you will be requested to reboot the system, do so and let it run.
723945
Well u should take it to a technician, and only if they will guarantee in writing not to lose your files.  Formatting will definately lose your files.  And, also, u have to delete windows from the old drive too.
193895
you could try doing a "chkdsk /r" at the recovery console:\nhttp://support.microsoft.com/kb/229716/EN-US/
744476
You may have accidentally drop your PC or there may be some foreign object in your hard drive.