Boot.ini Boot loader Timeout changes

I went to msconfig, Startup, and unticked some items. Then uninstalled them. Restarted, I get a screen asking which OS to start. The [boot loader] Timeout=0 was changed to Timeout=3. The boot.ini was set to Read-only, and stayed that way. How is it possible to change without removing Read-only, and what could have caused this. Not fatal, just annoying.

 

Nope, nobody clicked anything. Do not remember ever being in there.

 

Well, it's gotta be the safest place to change that setting back to zero if that's what you want.

 

I got it back to zero, it just will not stay there.

 

Hmmmm. Please open boot.ini in notepad, copy the contents, close notepad and paste your boot.ini file here. It should be in c:\ and depending on the way you have your system set, may show as boot.ini or just as boot.

 

Here is boot.ini

[boot loader]
timeout=0
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS= "Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect
REM C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT= "Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons

The only thing I can remember changing is timeout to 0.
I think partition(2) is because I have 98SE on partition(1) with partition Magic.

 

The REM command may be causing your problem since it isn't for .ini files. The preferred Remark command in this case is the semicolon. ( Perhaps when it tries to load the error causes it to load the original boot.ini instead.

Test that by either eliminating the REM command or replacing it with a ; character.

 

It does not go back to the original boot and only rarely changes. I did not put in either of the two items. The first is the operating system, and the second seems to be the Recovery Console. If I choose the second, it restarts, and comes back to the same place. I am guessing the remark is the cause of that. I do not know why the item was placed there if I cannot use it. With the bootloader Timeout set at 0, it cannot be used anyway.
Also I now notice a space after WINDOW and before S, after default. There is no space in WINDOWS in the line after [operating systems]. I wonder if this is correct.

 

BTW, the delay time listed in the boot.ini file is not invoked unless you have multiple boot selections. If you have a single OS and no Recovery Console installed, you could have the delay set at anything you want but it would never pause at boot. That's just the way it works.

I suspect yours was set at 3 seconds since day one. Then something or someone caused the Recovery Console to be listed although it is REMed out for some odd reason. Have you ever installed the recovery Console? Was it installed when you originally bought the computer?

If it was never installed, that leads me to believe that you should delete the entire line starting with REM. It has no real function in there except to cause the delay at boot. As you found out, you can't select that line anyway. You can then leave the delay time set any way you like since it will be inoperative.

Your other question about the S after Window, I think that's caused by the line wrap on this board. Let's see how mine wraps out;

[boot loader]
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
timeout=3
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS= "Microsoft Windows Whistler Personal" /fastdetect

Yep, sure enough, the space after Windows and then the S.

 

I do not know how the Recovery Console got in there. I deleted the REM line and lo and behold it works the way you said. I went to boot loader and checked windows and the space is not there in mine. Now the boot loader does not show at bootup, even with time set at 3. You are batting 1000. The annoyance seems to be gone. Thanks to all for your help.

 

Thanks for posting back your success. Oft' times the simple way is the best in the long haul.

For your future safety, when editing the boot.ini file be sure to make a Windows boot disk first. It's merely a floppy formatted by XP and containing copies of the necessary bootloader files. ( BOOT.INI NTLDR
NTDETECT.COM) It will contain the boot.ini file as well as other files needed to boot the system if you happen to err in editing. If your editing renders the system unbootable, insert the floppy and it'll boot as normal so you can make repairs. I felt safe this time but next time may be different.

Best regards.

 

Thanks again. I have boot disks, and used them a few times. OOPS!!!