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Boot.ini Problem

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by tarheelfan001, 2007/09/01.

  1. 2007/09/01
    tarheelfan001

    tarheelfan001 Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    I have my computer setup to dual boot in vista and xp. I can boot fine in either Vista or xp, but I have a problem with the os list when booting.

    I learned quickly that installing xp last or reinstalling xp will overwrite the Vista boot code, but EasyBCD corrects that problem without a hitch.

    However, for some reason now when I choose xp in my os boot list, a screen appears that shows xp three times in the list. I tested each and two of the three work fine booting into xp (1 and 3 in the list). Number 2 on the list does nothing.

    When I check the list in EasyBCD it show xp only once. When I check the list in msconfig, all three xp boot options show there.

    So how do I get rid of 2 of the xp options in the boot list, as obviously they are unneeded, and quite annoying as it causes me one extra step when booting into xp. All help is appreciated.

    Thanks, Tarheelfan001
     
  2. 2007/09/01
    surferdude2

    surferdude2 Inactive

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    Take a look at your boot.ini file on the root of the XP drive. Open it with Notepad and delete the #2 and #3 os loader lines lines. Save changes and exit. If in doubt, post the contents here for review.
     
    Last edited: 2007/09/01

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  4. 2007/09/01
    tarheelfan001

    tarheelfan001 Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Thanks surferdude2,

    I did a search for boot.ini on the root drive of xp (d), but it is not there. I do see it on the vista drive (c). Strange, I searched with *.ini and also boot.ini and also just boot as search criteria to no avail.

    The boot.ini on Vista drive (c) is this:

    [boot loader]
    timeout=30
    default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
    [operating systems]
    multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS= "Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect


    I don't get how I am booting into xp without a boot.ini file on the root drive of xp :confused: , of course if I got it, I wouldn't being do this post (smile).

    Thanks, Tarheelfan001
     
  5. 2007/09/01
    surferdude2

    surferdude2 Inactive

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    I think I read somewhere that Vista doesn't use a boot.ini file so it probably incorporates the XP boot.ini file into its bootloader scheme and the XP drive is left without a copy.

    If that is so, you'll find the answer to your multiple listing by editing the bootloader for Vista.

    I can't help you there since I don't have Vista yet. Perhaps someone with experience with Vista will chime in.
     
  6. 2007/09/01
    surferdude2

    surferdude2 Inactive

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    From what I get by Googling your need, it seems that there is an editor for the Vista bootloader named bcdedit.exe so try that from a command line window and see if it gives you something that will help.
     
  7. 2007/09/02
    sparrow

    sparrow Inactive

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    What is the extra step when booting XP? I'd just tap enter when the prompt appears or even before it does. Boot.ini you found is fine. Do you have a duplicate? or another boot loader in addition?
    Doesn't appear so. What exactly did it do?

    What I do is explained in an older article no longer available: (at least not with google)
    I think any cmd prompt shoulld work; sometimes I don't have a vista installation disk - when vista comes installed.
     
    Last edited: 2007/09/02
  8. 2007/09/02
    sparrow

    sparrow Inactive

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  9. 2007/09/02
    tarheelfan001

    tarheelfan001 Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Thanks Sparrow, I will try your suggestions. I can boot into both Vista and XP. However, when I choose XP in the os list (option to boot into vista or xp), after choosing xp, normally the system just goes ahead and boots into xp. Now however, when I choose xp, I get another screen showing another list instead of it booting directly on into xp. That list consists of 3 items, all xp. I can choose item 1 or 3 and boot into xp. Item 2 is dead. I know that is a long explanation as to the "extra step ", but I hope it cleared it up for you. I will try your suggestions.

    Thanks, Tarheelfan001
     
  10. 2007/09/03
    tarheelfan001

    tarheelfan001 Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Fixed finally.

    I booted into Vista. Located the boot.ini. It was showing a path of c:\boot , even though it should show c:\windows. Maybe it was in both places, I am not sure.

    Nevertheless, I edited it with Vista's object edit. Then copied it and pasted it into c:\windows. It asked me if I wanted to overwrite the boot.ini already there, I said yes. It worked, so now xp shows only once in the os dual boot list.

    Thanks to both of you for your help and suggestions.

    Tarheelfan001 :)
     
  11. 2007/09/03
    surferdude2

    surferdude2 Inactive

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    Thanks for posting back your success. That gives me hope that someday I'll be able to muddle through it as well when I get Vista thrust upon me. BCDEDIT.EXE sounds like another MS kluge so I'm sure there will be any number of 3rd party tools that will spring up in addition to EasyBCD.
     

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