2 operating systems on one PC

[shredder]

Hi all
Recently I got myself a new internal HDD. As a precautionary measure, in case the older drive gets damaged, I installed Win XP in the new hard drive. The problem is that now every time I start up, I get a screen which asks me to select between the 2 operating systems. How do I "disable" the newer installation of Win XP?

 

[Kittu]

How to Turn Off Dual Boot in Windows

may be this might help.

 

[shredder]

thanks christopher, but the link you posted explained the process on a Vista OS

 

[Kittu]

thanks christopher, but the link you posted explained the process on a Vista OS

geeeeeeeeeeeeeee now I understood correctly.. Googling

 

[doors666]

open boot.ini from the C drive. you will see multiple sections, comment out or delete the one you dont need.

you will need to enable "view system and hidden files" option in explorer->tools->options

 

[shredder]

Sorry doors, but I can't see any boot.ini in the C drive. Is it a sub-folder??

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

This is a sensitive file. Errors can make your system unbootable.

These things are always easier to fix if you make a copy before making any alterations.

<crossposted>

i suspect that the second line of doors' post will cure your problem. It will be in the root of c:

 

[shredder]

Ah, got it. Went to "run" in startup menu and typed in "msconfig". Got to boot.ini BUT there is no option to delete. (remember both operating systems are Windows XP).
How to delete it?

 

[doors666]

Sorry doors, but I can't see any boot.ini in the C drive. Is it a sub-folder??

you need to goto Windows Explorer->Tools->Options->View Tab->Advanced Settings->Hidden Files and Folders. Set this to "Show Hidden Files, Folders and drives". Click Ok.

Once you have done this, in your C drive, you will see a boot.ini file. it will look something like this.

[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="Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINNT="Windows 2000 Professional" /fastdetect

remove the OS line you dont want.

take a backup before u do this. if you do it wrongly, it wont boot.
Alternatively, You can also just reduce the timeout period to 5 or 3 secs, set the default OS to the one u want and it wont bug you anymore.

 

[gobble]

you need to goto Windows Explorer->Tools->Options->View Tab->Advanced Settings->Hidden Files and Folders. Set this to "Show Hidden Files, Folders and drives". Click Ok.

Once you have done this, in your C drive, you will see a boot.ini file. it will look something like this.

[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="Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINNT="Windows 2000 Professional" /fastdetect

remove the OS line you dont want.

take a backup before u do this. if you do it wrongly, it wont boot.
Alternatively, You can also just reduce the timeout period to 5 or 3 secs, set the default OS to the one u want and it wont bug you anymore.

Thats the right way.

OT but You can also add Linux OS here.

cheers

 

[shredder]

I did it a slightly different way before reading your post. Went to start menu--->My computer tab (right click)---->Properties--->Startup and recovery---->Settings------>Edit----- and then deleted the partition I do not want.

But I wish I had read your post earlier. Your suggestion to reduce the timeout period to 5 secs after setting the default OS makes more sense. But I have already deleted the partition:sad:
Any suggestions on how to get that deleted partition back on there? I incidentally did not copy the partition name down

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

Do not delete the file! simply work out which copy of windows you do not want and take out that line.

Setting the delay to a very short time is a very good and very safe option.

But I have already deleted the partition

Woops.

If you can live without it, write it off to experience.

If not, something like testdisk might recover it for you.

Do nothing on that disc until you have a firm plan of action. Even disconnect it from the system. Whatever you do, don't write anything to it, or try to create any new partition until you have tried your data recovery plan.

Still... at least you only have one copy of windows now! Although your system may now still look for the second one, as it is still in your boot.ini file.

 

[spirovious]

How to activate it again?
If one dont want 2nd system,then why not to format?

If there is a solution to select bydefault system (say Win7)that will be helpful as primary.
Mostly if you forget to click you go to older system bydefault.

 

[doors666]

Do not delete the file! simply work out which copy of windows you do not want and take out that line.

Setting the delay to a very short time is a very good and very safe option.
Woops.

If you can live without it, write it off to experience.

If not, something like testdisk might recover it for you.

Do nothing on that disc until you have a firm plan of action. Even disconnect it from the system. Whatever you do, don't write anything to it, or try to create any new partition until you have tried your data recovery plan.

Still... at least you only have one copy of windows now! Although your system may now still look for the second one, as it is still in your boot.ini file.

i think what he means is that he deleted the partition line from boot.ini

you can edit the file and recreate the line. the name does not matter, you can call it willy wonka if you like. you need to specify the partition number for the partition that the other xp uses. use disk, rdisk and partition numbers in that line to specify the other OS. dont modify other lines. if you create this new line and edit that, even if its wrong, it wont affect your primary system and you can experiment with this. or you can post your boot.ini here along with the hard disk and partition info and we can tell you the new line to add.

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

i think what he means is that he deleted the partition line from boot.ini

Phew! I thought... well, you know what I thought!

 

[shredder]

Yes ..... deleted the partition line
Now one question, if I disconnect the primary HDD and try to start up Windows from the secondary drive, will it load?

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

Try it and tell us!

If that was once the primary boot disc in that machine, then my money is on "yes" --- but there is only one way to know for sure