2 sets of boot files?

[NiKeFiDO]

I recently built my new comp with Win XP Pro. I installed new copy of XP Pro after formatting my hard drive that had Dell Win XP Home on it (WIth a 32mb FAT32 partition that I did not erase I htink...)

So anyway, after formatting the NTFS partition and WinXP setup copied files and restarted...it didnt install Win XP but simply restarted the whole setup process....finally I told it to install windows over existing files, which worked OK since it was fomatted twice at that point.

So, as of now when I start my computer, its asks me to pick between TWO Win XP Pro operating systems..only one works, the 2nd one does not. Can I fix this without formatting my harddrive and all its partitions?

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On an unerlated note, rather than make a new post:
Can anyone suggest a LCD panel that can monitor temps and comtrol fans (i want temp readout more than fan control but they seem to go hand in hand, and why not do both, right?). Preferably one that fits into 5.25" bay.

 

[Dahak]

Open up notepad, and the open c:\boot.ini , there you will see 2 listings under the [operating systems] section, where it says "Microsoft Windows XP Professional" put a 1 at the end of one in the brackets, just to make sure you know which one does not boot, save the file. reboot see which one does not boot, then re-open the file and delete the whole line for the one that does not boot

 

[NiKeFiDO]

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect

what should i change here? Also, when comp starts up, the First listing of XP Pro works, the 2nd does not - does that correspond to this listing?

 

[Dahak]

It generally does but what i would do to be sure is change the 2nd line to this
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional 1" /fastdetect
and save and reboot, try the 2nd option, if it does not work, you can just delete that line

 

[bacillus]

delete "multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect"

 

[NiKeFiDO]

Wont let me change boot.ini bc i dont know where to save it....it wont let me do just Save...

I got to it by doing c:/boot.ini in Start > Run

 

[Some1ne]

Okay, the step-by-step from a fresh Windows install:

1. Open up Windows Explorer (either double-click the "My Computer" icon or do Start -> Run -> explorer)

2. Do Tools -> Folder Options -> View.

3. Select "Show Hidden Files and Folders" and uncheck the "Hide protected Operating System files" option, Apply changes and the press Okay.

4. Open up notepad and do File -> Open and then navigate to the C:\boot.ini file.

5. Make the necessary edits (it appears very probable to me that the first entry is the one that still works, as it features the "NoExecute=OptIn" option and also because the Win XP installer will by default put the copy of Windows that it installs first on the list, so the first entry should always be the most recent install). Assuming I am correct about which entry is valid, the final boot.ini should look like:

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn

...if you don't want to see the screen pop up at all anymore, you can also set the "timeout" to 0.

6. Do a File -> Save in notepad. This should work properly (and automatically save the file to the correct place). If it doesn't then you may need to dig around for a config option called "Protect Operating System Files" (and/or modify the boot.ini file properties so that it is no longer flagged as Read-Only if it is).

7. Reboot and enjoy.

 

[NiKeFiDO]

Nope, I do not have a boot.ini file in c:/ nor did the search option find one on my C drive.
This leads me to believe that the boot files are on a seperate boot partition (or at least thats my theory). What do you guys think? I ran the file doing start, run then c:/boot.ini...so..it should be there?
Yes, i went to Show hidden files.


edit: finished reading your post, ill look for the "Protect Operating System Files" option
edit #2: Found it in folder options, everytyhiungs fixed, thanks.