Windows.000 whatsit?

blazing_sun16 · #1 January 25th, 2002, 05:33 AM

I was in the Peace Corps and I had my little laptop with me. Because I was using a floppy at internet cafes and then bringing them home, I ended up acquiring a virus that completely shut down my system. On the recommendation of a computer-literate friend, I did completely uninstall Windows and delete my entire hard drive.

Or, I thought I had.

After painstakingly reinstalling Windows and all my software, I had a hard time locating drivers. They were apparently installed, but not anywhere I could find them. Then, I found a mysterious new folder entitled Windows.000 right there under my C: drive. It not only includes everything new Ive tried to install since my original deletions, but everything I thought I'd deleted. When I try to install anything new, it installs to the .000 file rather than just to the C: drive.

I'm scared to delete the whole thing... in fact I CAN'T, as several of the folders are system folders and protected. However, it is taking up just as much memory as the regular Windows folder, and the whole thing is a big twisted mess.

I'd be willing to delete the whole thing again, although that would be a last recourse. Could somebody please give me some advice about how to get rid of this stupid Windows.000 and clean up my hard drive?

Thanks!

sedu · #2 January 25th, 2002, 05:59 AM

"I did completely uninstall Windows and delete my entire hard drive."

How did you get rid of the virus and how did you accomplish the above. Did you format the drive and then reinstall? The reason I ask is that Windows.000 is the default install folder that Windows will use if the Windows folder is missing or corrupted. If you reloaded Windows on top of your old system, this would occur if the old system were corrupted.

blazing_sun16 · #3 January 25th, 2002, 06:15 AM

YEs, I think that's what I did. I deleted everything that I could, and then I went out to DOS and reformatted the C: drive. When the computer assured me that nothing was left, I reinstalled Windows.

Basically I know enough about what I'm doing to be dangerous, but not enough to know what I'm doing. You know?

Now I just want to know how to fix it.

Thanks!

sedu · #4 January 25th, 2002, 06:31 AM

The best cure would be a clean install of Windows. Do you have a Windows CD or just a recovery disk? Doesn't really matter though, since the both should cure the problem.
Make sure you have the appropriate bootdisk and at the A:\ prompt type-format c: After the format, insert your Windows/Recovery disk and type D:\ Setup (assuming D is your CD-Rom drive letter). Hopefully everything will be installed correctly in the Windows folder. You will then have to reinstall your programs, update drivers, etc. However, the benefit is that your system should run like it was new without all the excess baggage Windows seems to accumulate.