delete operating system

Question

i have two operating system and i need to delete one of them, unfortunately one is installed in the c:

here is the info:

[Boot Loader]

Timeout=5

Default=C:\$WIN_NT$.~BT\BOOTSECT.DAT

[Operating Systems]

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft WIndows XP Professional Edition" /fastdetect

C:\$WIN_NT$.~BT\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows server 2003, Enterprise Edition Setup"

jbog91 · Answer

Are both operating systems on the same partition? I don't think you can get both on the same partition.

turtle_rayn · Answer

I'm not sure what do you mean by that.   but if you say that they both could not be in the same partition, then i assume they are not.   All i know is that one is installed in the C: drive, which is why I am having a hard time uninstalling it.

Denny Denham · Answer

turtle_rayn,

Except for the line involving Windows XP and the timeout value, the entire BOOT.INI file appears to be corrupted. You can see instructions for modifying the BOOT.INI file here but it assumes that the file is intact. You may have to do a clean install of whichever operating system you wish to use on partition C:\ and then add the second OS on D:\ after you create it.

tjpm12 · Answer

Snafus of the like can, usually, be solved by just rebooting the OS with the WindowsXP Restore CD's.

jwatt · Answer

turtle_rayn,

Could the entry 'C:\$WIN_NT$.~BT\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows server 2003, Enterprise Edition Setup"' perhaps be the result of an incomplete attempt to set up Win2K3 server? Which one works?

Jim

tjpm12 · Answer

excuse me     C:\

tjpm12 · Answer

For the sake of chat, you could- click on start/run/type in Cmd/ok.

That will put you in the DOS WINDOW. There are some commands that control the whole computer from there. Be careful, maybe the PC will have to be returned to the manufacturer. You know, some delete type entries could be spectacularly ruinous.

tjpm12 · Answer

Theoretically, why not just go into DOS or C:/ and just delete the System that you would like to be rid of?

tjpm12 · Answer

There are some DOS command tutorials available. A little research yielded the del [delete] command. You could enter the DOS Window and type in del followed by the paste of the OS that you are trying to delete. Then press enter. Good luck. EULA states that there is absolutely no liability for this advise. Anybody like to add a little expertise??????

turtle_rayn · Answer

It is the result of an incomplete install, that is why it is on the c:...If i cant figure this out, the last option is just too reboot. the reason i haven't rebooted is there's just too much information in this comp and programs that cant be installed again.   I've tried to go to the C: and delete it there, but when the comp restarts it still ask which OS I want. The difference is when I do select the the second OS, the one I want deleted, it would try to access the second OS, but since I deleted the accompanying files it will just go back to the beginning where it ask for which OS I want.   I've tried to follow Denny Denhams link on how to edit BOOT.INI, but could not do it because it assumes that it is a complete install.   Tricky ba$7ard.   Thanks for trying guys...this is definitely something to ponder.

jwatt · Answer

turtle_rayn,

Quoting from your original post:

[Boot Loader]
Timeout=5
Default=C:\$WIN_NT$.~BT\BOOTSECT.DAT
[Operating Systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft WIndows XP Professional Edition" /fastdetect
C:\$WIN_NT$.~BT\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows server 2003, Enterprise Edition Setup"

Can you boot to the non-default operating system without problems? If so, the failed installation is in the directory C:\$WIN_NT$.~BT\.

When you say "I haven't rebooted", I suspect you mean "I haven't reinstalled Windows XP". Is that correct?

Assuming that the copy of XP listed in the first line in the "[Operating Systems]" section of boot.ini works correctly, you should be able to remove the second line (containing the incomplete Win2K3 server installation setup), and change the "Default=" line as shown in the section entitled "Sample Boot.ini File" in the article Denny cited.

If this is not a correct description of the current state of affairs, please post back with clarification.

Jim

tjpm12 · Answer

Hi- Any friend of Mr D, Denny Denham, is COOL

The following is a neophyte solution; Lets go to the DOS Window. {start,run,type- Regedit/ok} now type-

del C:\$WIN_NT$.~BT\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows server 2003, Enterprise Edition Setup"

then press enter and good-luck Cowboy.

That is in the case that Enterprise is the System that you would like to delete. If not then use the other address. You may only have to type;

del C:\$WIN_NT$.~BT\BOOTSECT.DAT

then press [enter]

Windows General

delete operating system

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