How do I remove 'dual-boot' from a new XP install?

[deadken]

Hi, I finished a WinXP Pro re-install for a friend and I partitioned his HD (in half). I have already done all the updates and have re-installed his favorites and photos. Well, I was just about finished but then I noticed that I never formatted the second partition on the the Hard Drive. I popped in the XP install CD again and acted as is I was gonna install a new OS, I then made the second half of the drive the largest partition I was able to, and then formatted the drive.

Well, I walked away while it was formatting and it went right along doing an OS install while I was away. I came back to see it at one of the user input screens. There was no cancel button, so I took out the CD and powered off and then back on. It seems that now there is an option as to which OS I want to boot from, Win XP Pro, or Win XP Pro. The second one is the valid OS, the first one puts me right back into the install procedure. I logged into the second OS and formatted the second half of the HD, same problem. I then did a system restore to the last point before I had that was good, same problem.

Does anyone know how I can stop Windows XP Pro from asking if I want to boot to a second (non-existant) O/S?

Anyhelp would be greatly appreciated, Thank you, Ken

PS: I also noticed that the HD's are now showing as C, and E, with D being his DVD Drive. How would I go about remapping the drive letters to C + D (HD's) and E (Optical)?

 

[bacillus]

edit your boot.ini file so that it looks like below:

[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" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect

 

[Germonicus]

To rename the drive letters go to start/control panel/administrative tools/computer management/storage/disk management and right click on your device and select "change drive letters and paths" and change it to what you prefer.
You can do this for CD's,DVD's and HDD's etc. Hope it helps

 

[deadken]

Thanks for all of your help guys! I googled how to edit the file you mentioned and just followed the instructions. One slight error (it didn't render it unbootable though) and then I got everything perfect.

I have remapped my drive layout and all is back to normal.

I thank you guys for all of your help AGAIN! You saved me from wasting quite a few hours. Here's a virtual :beer: for you!

-Ken

EDIT: WOW! I just noticed the reply times! Where else could I have gotten the help I needed about an hour after I asked the question at 4:30AM?!?!?!?!?!? You've got to :heart:LOVE:heart: this place!

 

[cubby1223]

The last time I edited the boot.ini file for that purpose, the machine became unbootable. IMO, it's safer to use the gui to disable the counter (no selection screen).

 

[engineereeyore]

If worse come to worse, just reformat the second partition using the Computer Manager and the boot to your Window XP CD, go to recovery console, and type fixmbr. That will rewrite your master boot record and it should just boot to your normal installation. That way you don't have to worry about screwing up your boot.ini file.

 

[deadken]

Thank you for your suggestions, I have to admit that 'cubby1223' sparks some interest, but also confusion. If I understand correctly, he was saying to make the valid copy the 'default' and then set the timer to zero, therefore eliminating the decision/screen. Sounds cool, but a little direction as to how would have gone a LOONNNGGGG WAY!

I like engineereeyore's suggestion, I would have tried it just to actually use the CD's repair feature, so far I haven't fixed one PC yet with that console. If anyone has a website with some info on it, I would love to know about it.

Thanks...

 

[JonnyBlaze]

right click on my computer, choose properties, click on the advanced tab, then the startup & recover button.

its in there.

 

[Splinter000]

If you screw up your boot.ini file, can't you just use something like Knoppix to repair it?

 

[Boxxcar]

Originally posted by: deadken
Hi, I finished a WinXP Pro re-install for a friend and I partitioned his HD (in half). I have already done all the updates and have re-installed his favorites and photos. Well, I was just about finished but then I noticed that I never formatted the second partition on the the Hard Drive. I popped in the XP install CD again and acted as is I was gonna install a new OS, I then made the second half of the drive the largest partition I was able to, and then formatted the drive.

Well, I walked away while it was formatting and it went right along doing an OS install while I was away. I came back to see it at one of the user input screens. There was no cancel button, so I took out the CD and powered off and then back on. It seems that now there is an option as to which OS I want to boot from, Win XP Pro, or Win XP Pro. The second one is the valid OS, the first one puts me right back into the install procedure. I logged into the second OS and formatted the second half of the HD, same problem. I then did a system restore to the last point before I had that was good, same problem.

Does anyone know how I can stop Windows XP Pro from asking if I want to boot to a second (non-existant) O/S?

Anyhelp would be greatly appreciated, Thank you, Ken

PS: I also noticed that the HD's are now showing as C, and E, with D being his DVD Drive. How would I go about remapping the drive letters to C + D (HD's) and E (Optical)?

If I were you, I would take this as an opportunity to remove the second XP install by reformatting (FAT32) and install Linux Mandriva. Keep the dual boot option and play around with Linux for a while. You may just find that you'll want to remove XP permanently.