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    xp setup recognizes only 100 megs of free space

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by amitface, Feb 17, 2008.

  1. amitface

    amitface Notebook Evangelist

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    This may be answered on the forum, but I couldn't find it.

    I have Vista installed on a 40 gig partition, another 40 gig partition for data, and an unallocated 10 gigs. I'm trying to install XP on the 10 gig partition, and then I will wipe out Vista. (Wiping out Vista first is not an option at the moment)

    When XP setup begins, and it shows me all the unallocated space, it shows C: with about 100 megs of free space, and that's all.

    What happened to the 10 megs? I tried formatting the 10 to NTFS, and it wouldn't read it either.

    Is there a way around this? Do I have to wipe out Vista and install from there?
     
    amitface, Feb 17, 2008
    #1
  2. kegobeer

    kegobeer 1 hr late but moving fast

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    Is the 10GB partition a primary partition, or is it in an extended partition as a logical drive? Windows must be installed in a primary partition.

    Have you read any of the hundreds of "how to install XP on a drive that already has Vista" how-to guides? You can install XP after Vista, but follow a guide on how to do it.
     
    kegobeer, Feb 17, 2008
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  3. amitface

    amitface Notebook Evangelist

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    Yes it was a primary partition, and yes I read and did what the guides said.
     
    amitface, Feb 17, 2008
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  4. kegobeer

    kegobeer 1 hr late but moving fast

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    The C drive is where Vista lives. What partitions/drives are listed during the XP install process?
     
    kegobeer, Feb 17, 2008
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  5. amitface

    amitface Notebook Evangelist

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    It only lists C, and it says it is ~200 megs with ~100 megs of free space.
     
    amitface, Feb 17, 2008
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  6. amitface

    amitface Notebook Evangelist

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    wow, i just noticed that the partition it was showing was the usb stick attached to my computer. hopefully this works now.
     
    amitface, Feb 17, 2008
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  7. kegobeer

    kegobeer 1 hr late but moving fast

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    When installing an operating system, remove all non-essential drives. Glad you figured out the problem.
     
    kegobeer, Feb 17, 2008
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  8. nobscot6

    nobscot6 Wise One

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    lol, it's happened to all of us at some point-> the dreaded flash drive .....
     
    nobscot6, Feb 17, 2008
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