WinXP Boot Issue... Any Expert Advice?

[chazdraves]

Well... a couple weeks ago I felt it would be wise to reformat my HD, as I hadn't done so in about 8 months. Anyhow, the install went just fine (as usual). There's just one bitty little problem. Every time I start my computer, it stops just after the memory check and asks if I want to run -

Windows XP Home Edition or
Windows XP Home Edition

If I select the second "Windows XP Home Edition" it merely tells me to reinstall Windows. And, of course, the first choice is the true install. Now, when I did the install, I booted from the CD, it copied all the files, did the reformat, etc., and restarted. Of course, having forgotten, I selected to (once again) boot from CD. At which point it, again, copied the files onto my HD. After it finished copying the second time, I cancelled out and did it the right way. My guess is that, by having accidently copied twice, I made (dun, dun, dun) two copies. The only problem is... I can't find any duplicate files or directories. It's not a big deal, but it's irritating to have to hit "Enter" to make a choice Windows should make on its own every time I start my computer. Anyone familiar with this problem/have any tips? Thanks in advance!

- Chaz

 

[chazdraves]

As a side note, I will now be heading to bed. Unfortunately, I will not be back on 'til morning. My appologies for the inconvenience, and again, thanks!

- Chaz

 

[SFingktur]

Right-click My Computer and choose Properties. Click the Advanced tab and then the Settings button in the Startup and Recovery section. Uncheck the Time to Display List of Operating Systems.

If you want to remove it from the list completely, click the Edit button in that same section and remove the last line that says something like:

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home" /fastdetect

 

[chazdraves]

Thank you! I think that may just do the trick!

- Chaz

 

[KF]

>If I select the second "Windows XP Home Edition" it merely tells me to reinstall Windows.

Since you cancelled the install once, one of the listings (in BOOT.INI) is pointing to some install program, rather than

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home" /fastdetect

Otherwise both choices would do the same thing.

 

[chazdraves]

Is there any way to track down the file(s) that tell my computer I have two OS's? Thanks!

- Chaz

 

[KF]

Originally posted by: chazdraves
Is there any way to track down the file(s) that tell my computer I have two OS's? Thanks!

- Chaz

SFingktur's instructions will let you edit the file:

"Right-click My Computer and choose Properties. Click the Advanced tab and then the Settings button in the Startup and Recovery section, click the Edit button. "


Where is the file? C:\
What is it named? BOOT.INI

Except it is hidden, and My Computer is initially set to not show hidden files.

After you open C: in My Computer select:

Tools
Folder Options
View
Hidden files and folders
choose Show hidden files and folders

Then
uncheck Hide extensions for known file types
and
uncheck Hide protected operating system files
and confirm that is what you want to do.

Then select Apply or Apply to All Folders, as you prefer. Now you will be able to see the file listed and its extension. You may have to close My Computer and reopen it for the settings to take effect.

You will be able to see the file BOOT.INI, but you won't be able to change it, because it is set to be "read only."

So select the file. Right click, choose properties, and uncheck Read Only. Now you can edit the file.

Like SFingktur said,
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home" /fastdetect

is what you want to keep.


That's it. It is advisable to make a copy in the same folder in case you do the wrong thing.