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Nuisance message at startup
I formated my C drive and reinstalled Windows XP. I have a second hard and attempted to put Windows XP on there as a backup in the event I couldn't boot up using my C drive. I made a couple of attempts to do this, but wasn't successful either time. Now when I start my computer, I get a message that says "Please select the operating system to start." It has Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition listed three times. When I select the second or third listing, nothing happens. If I select the first listing, or just wait a short time, Windows XP starts from my C drive. How can I remove the second and third listing so that Windows XP will start the way it should with just one operating system installed?
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Posted June 18th, 2005 19:00
You do not have to start over. It's just that the boot.ini file has recorded your attempts to install Windows again.Right click on "My Computer" that is on your desktop and select "Properties".Click on the "Advanced" tab.Under the section Startup and Recovery, click on the "Settings" button.Under the System Startup section, click on the "Edit" button.Here is what my file says:[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect
Of course I am using WinXP Pro and yours will say WinXP Home.Delete the second and third reference to WinXP HOME.Save the file and you are done.The next time you boot you will not have to choose the system.220
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Posted June 18th, 2005 19:00
jernato
Using Windows Explorer, go to C:\ and find boot.ini . Open it in Notepad and see if the multiple entries are there. This is my listing:
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetectYou probably have partition(2) and partition(3) WINDOWS="Microsoft ........
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Posted June 19th, 2005 02:00
RoHe
I'd already fixed the problem before I saw your post, but I took a look at the area you talked about and I think that would be easier. I was a little concerned about making the changes without being absolutely certain I was deleting the right entries. I believe that using the config command it would indicate which entry needed to stay. Thanks anyway!
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Posted June 19th, 2005 02:00
Bay Wolf
I did as you suggested and it worked fine. Thank you!
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Posted June 19th, 2005 02:00
There's even an easier way to fix this.
Click start>run
Type in: msconfig
Click OK
Click Boot.ini tab
Click Check all boot paths
It should give you the option to delete any boot paths that don't work.
Ron
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Posted June 19th, 2005 14:00
Excellent. I'm glad that you got it fixed.Message Edited by Bay Wolf on 06-19-2005 10:55 AM
osprey4
6 Operator
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34230 Posts
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Posted June 18th, 2005 17:00
That's cool, you've managed to install three instances of Windows.
Sounds like it's time to start over. To find the reinstall guide, downloads and other information for your system, hover your mouse cursor over the Product Support button (upper left of this page), and select Reinstall Guide (or Downloads or whatever). Then enter your service tag number and operating system, and you'll find all the information you need.