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Re-installed Windows XP into two folders by accident

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by freddie88, 2006/12/14.

  1. 2006/12/14
    freddie88

    freddie88 Inactive Thread Starter

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    Hi, I feel like a total moron, but here is what I did: I upgraded my old computer with a new hard drive and re-installed the Windows XP OS. I've never re-installed Windows before, so I followed the instructions. When it said A previous version of Windows has been detected I thought I had to make a new folder, so now I have two versions installed: Windows and Windows1. Both folders are in my computer. What will happen if I don't un-install one version? Will it interfere with my computer's performance? Right now the only inconvenience is that when I start my computer, it shows two versions of Windows XP and I click on the one I want to start. Please help. Thanks in advance.
     
    freddie88,
    #1
  2. 2006/12/15
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Freddie - Welcome to the Board :)

    When you installed the new hard drive was the old drive still installed? I think this must be the case as clearly the new hard drive would be empty.

    Have you been able to Activate the new copy of XP? I ask because you can only install and activate one copy of XP on one computer using one XP CD. Second installations, which strictly speaking are illegal, will not activate as a general rule.

    In your case you seem to indicate that the computer is running OK and you are not being pestered to activate.

    You can leave the other copy where it is - you now have what is called a dual boot system (I dual boot XP Pro and Vista Ultimate) and there is a way to get your system to boot into the copy of XP you intend to use.

    Right click My Computer icon > Properties > Startup and Recovery > Settings.

    Select the OS you want to boot to in the drop down list - the one you want to boot will be shown at the top of the list when you boot up. When you are sure that you have the right copy at the top go back to the settings dialogue and set the Time to display a list of operating systems to say 5 seconds. You could set it to zero, but I feel that 5 is safer just in case you want to boot to the other copy at any time.

    When you boot up the menu will still be shown, but the computer will boot to your preferred copy automatically after 5 seconds - a countdown is shown.

    While you are in the settings dialogue uncheck 'Automatically restart' on system failure - this will allow the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) to be shown if the computer crashes at any time - the detail on that screen is essential for troubleshooting the crash.
     
    PeteC,
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  4. 2006/12/15
    freddie88

    freddie88 Inactive Thread Starter

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    Hi Pete,
    thanks for the reply. No, I removed the old hard drive and replaced it with a new one. Then when I was installing the Windows, it kept saying, To boot from CD, click something (I forget what), so I thought I had to click that. Then it said a version of Windows was detected, so I created another file, Windows1. So I actually installed it twice.
    I realize what I did now. The question is that since I installed it twice, and am using only one version and have already re-installed a whole bunch of programs, can I keep both versions in my computer without them interfering? I am only going to use one version. If the other one can stay without any problems, then I will keep it. I just don't want to have to go through the trouble of erasing everything and re-installing if I don't have to.
    I did what you said and have reduced the wait time to 5 seconds. That helps a lot. Thanks ever so much.
    Well, at least I installed the hard drive correctly, and I upgraded the RAM by myself. Not bad. I guess everything is a learning process. Thanks again for taking the time to reply.
     
    freddie88,
    #3
  5. 2006/12/16
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    I'm still not clear how you managed to install 2 copies of XP, but that is water under the bridge now. The second copy will not interfere with the one you are using.

    I would now go back and set the wait time to zero - the computer will boot without hesitation or showing the menu (maybe a brief flash) to the preferred install. If for any reason you want to see the menu again you now know where to go to set it to a value of your choosing.

    Yep - it's all a learning curve and the only true way to learn is 'hands on' - well done - you've made a significant start :)
     
    PeteC,
    #4

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