Your assumption that you could not install WinXP on the original drive in the 8300 was incorrect.  You could have done the whole process without involving the 8100.  But anyways.

What's happened now that your 8100 thinks it's a dual-boot system with two copies of WinXP and that's why you're getting the prompt.  The first one seems to be the install that was made on to the disk of the 8300 which is no longer there and thus it fails.

What you need to do is

My Computer (right click) > Properties > Advanced tab > Startup & Recovery settings

Look at the default operating system: options.  You will see two choices.  You have to remove the one that points to the second drive that no longer exists.  Click on the "Edit" button in that group and remove the appropriate one.

Be very careful!  This edits the boot.ini file.  An incorrect edit of this file will render your system unbootable.  Backup data before you do this.

Hi Hgohel

I've got this;

[boot loader]

timeout=30

default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(2)\WINDOWS

[operating systems]

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition"

/fastdetect

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

/fastdetect

This is exactly as it's displayed in the boot.  Have I inadvertently created a second partition with a nearly complete but unbootable operating system on it?

I think that the disk is a bit full.  Probably twice what it should be!  There's not much on it anymore.  Strange.  Let me know if you have any ideas about what to delete from the Boot?

 

Dave

Two ways to check this:

1. Figure out your hard disk's id (My Computer > Manage > Disk Drives > select drive > Properties) and match it with the list in the boot.ini file and delete the other entry.

2. The experimental method - each boot entry has some text associated with it and currently both of them say "Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition".  So simply change the first entry to "TEST Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" and reboot.  Check which entry works.

My suspcision is that the second entry is correct (multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect), and the first one is the disk that you've now removed.

Hi

I'm sure you're right!  The second entry is the one I have to highlight to get the O/S to load properly.  But.......  What do I have to delete from the boot and do I have a rogue partition?  Will Santa visit next Christmas? ........  So much is unsaid!

Kindest regards,

 

Dave

Just select the XP Home that works when starting. (2nd listing I believe)
Then when Desktop loaded OK press Windows+Break(pause) keys together , Advanced tab , Startup & Recovery , Settings & select the "Default Operating System" from drop down menu.
The 2nd XP Home shown.
Click OK.
Then re-open it by clicking Settings again then Edit  & Delete the bottom line;
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect
Close with X & select Save.
-------------------
Later if you want to check your partitions use Administrative Tools > Computer Management > Storage > Disk Management
it will show the partitions.

Message Edited by gryjhnhpe on 12-29-2003 04:13 PM

All is well.  Thankyou all for your help and advice.

Dave