Windows XP forum: software to erase completely the hard drive.

I'm really sorry, but I am having difficulty understanding the problem. Your post is very muddled and it is not easy to read.

Here is what I think you have said;

1] Your computer hard disk had 2 partitions.

2] You have erased an Operating System, (OS), from one partition using a program called "Secure Erase". Did you use this program to erase the data from both partitions?

3] You tried to make one partition with "Partition Commander", but both(?) programs do not do that? Sorry, I don't know what you are saying here.

If you used "Secure Eraser" simply to erase the data from one or both partitions, surely the original partitions remain? If so, why try to create yet another partition?

4] You are trying to install a new OS, but keep getting a message during setup that there is already an OS installed. Which OS are you trying to install? Do you have the correct setup CD's for this OS?

5] The PC aborts the setup. What error messages do you get?

If I have missed anything, or got something wrong, please say what I have missed or misunderstood.

Mark

I don't know whose HD you have, but usually most HD maker's provide some install s/w. That s/w also makes for making paritions as well. Your 131gb result is the limitations of win98 undere FAT32. You need that HD maker s/w to better handle all the extra Gbs, so get it from thier support website. One pgm. I use to totally delete/erase HD is 'KILLDISK' of the same name as thier website, get it. You run the pgm. first then use the HD maker's s/w for the insttall. Be sure to have a bootdisk or DOS floppy in order to get the OS files from it as part of the process. While you're at the HD support website, they should provide a help guide or FAQ on the topic of 131gb limits of OS and possible other tips&hints to better install the OS.

tada -----Willy