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Operating System option at boot up

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by palyniam, 2004/05/04.

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  1. 2004/05/04
    palyniam

    palyniam Inactive Thread Starter

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    :( Hi there.
    when i turn on my pc, the list of operating systems is displayed. the thing that is strange is that there is two of the same o/s.

    windows (default)
    windows (default)

    by default the second choice is selected, but only the top one will boot up and load windows xp. is there any way to get the pc to automatically boot up the top o/s, as i have been in the startup and recovery settings, and the drop down list of operating systems is blank, or get rid of the list...

    Thanks,
     
    palyniam,
    #1
  2. 2004/05/05
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    This is probably a leftover from your partitioning problems in another thread - you need to edit the boot.ini (hidden protected operating file so you will need to make visible through Folder Options), Make a copy of if first - or rename bootold.ini and save the new version as boot.ini

    Typical boot.ini for a single OS .....

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

    You probably have a couple of entries for the OS - be sure to edit/delete the right one!
     
    PeteC,
    #2


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  4. 2004/05/05
    palyniam

    palyniam Inactive Thread Starter

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    hi

    thanks for your reply, PeteC.
    i did what you said and it now says

    Microsoft Windows XP Professional
    windows (default)

    and the bottom one is selected, is there any way to boot up the top one without having to move up and press enter, at least there is the name for the option that works, less confusion.

    Thanks again,

    Paul
     
    palyniam,
    #3
  5. 2004/05/05
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Sorry, I mistook you for another poster re. partitioning :eek:

    I think you still have a problem with the boot.ini

    Try this approach ....

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

    In that dialogue box there is a drop down list for the OS's loaded to the m/c - does this show two Windows?

    If so click on Edit and remove the reference to the other OS there.

    Should do the trick.
     
    PeteC,
    #4
  6. 2004/05/05
    Liam Lifetime Subscription

    Liam Inactive

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    There is only one windows there:

    "Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect
     
    Liam,
    #5
  7. 2004/05/05
    Liam Lifetime Subscription

    Liam Inactive

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    Hi

    i have just loaded up disk management by right clicking my computer and selecting manage.

    i noticed that on the hard drive, there is the main partition, a partition with all my stuff, music, and programs on it. there is also a 8MB partition at the start of the drive, which is 'Unallocated'. is this possibly causing the problem?

    Thanks
     
    Liam,
    #6
  8. 2004/05/05
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    I am getting confused with two posters answering this thread - I guess you're related, but let's stick with one responder, please.

    Unallocated space is not recognised by Windows as anything but that so I doubt that's the source of the problem.
     
    PeteC,
    #7
  9. 2004/05/05
    Newt

    Newt Inactive

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    It sounds like the boot.ini file is damaged somehow and in some way that doesn't show. Try this assuming that you have a bootable install CD for XP:

    - set your system to boot from CD before booting from Hd.

    - boot from the CD to the recovery console.

    - rename c:\boot.ini c:\boot.ini-old . Note that you will not be able to restart normally to windows after doing this. Since you will be doing this from a command line and in case you aren't familiar with them, rename c:\boo.ini c:\boot.ini-old just does the name change for you.

    - bootcfg /rebuild will build you a new boot.ini file that properly identifies the OS location and version. It sounds like you only have the one on the PC so with the file done correctly, it should boot without asking you to pick an option.

    - reboot normally and see if all is well. If not (and the PC won't start windows at all) just boot back to the recovery console and rename c:\boot.ini-old c:\boot.ini to put back the flawed but working copy of the file so you can start the PC.
     
    Newt,
    #8
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