Removing second copy of WINXP from different partition -same drive

Apparently as I get older, I also get more stupid.I recently deleted the "ntldr" file from my C drive. Well that prevented me from booting WinXP. I wasn't able to fix the problem, so I reinstalled XP on a different partition on my hard drive.
I restored the deleted files and would like to remove the "second" copy of XP and return to my original setup.
I would appreciate any and all help I can get to rectify my stupidity.
Thank You,
Trackmaker60745

 

Hello trackmaker,

Did the second install create a dual boot menu?

Regards - Charles

 

Charles,
No it did not. I was given the choice to "overwrite" the original XP or install a new copy in a different partition. I chose the latter.
I suspect if someone can help me change the boot.ini file I might be ok. My problem is I don't know which boot.ini to change, the original or the new one.
Trackmaker60745

 

Hi trackmaker,

No it did not. I was given the choice to "overwrite" the original XP or install a new copy in a different partition. I chose the latter.
I'm puzzled why it then didn't create a dual boot menu.

If there's a need to change a boot.ini, it should be the original on C.

Lets look at the boot.ini's.

Right click on My Computer > Properties > Advanced tab > Startup and Recovery section > Settings bar > System Startp window > Edit bar and copy and paste each boot.ini into your next post.

Regards - Charles

 

Removing second copy from same drive different partition

Charlesvar,
This is what I came up with.
Trackmaker60745

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINDOWS= "Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect

 

You must be careful when editing the boot.ini file if you are using an NTFS file storage system. You can cut yourself off from the files if you edit incorrectly.

To cover that possibility, you should get an editor that will work from a floppy boot. I'm assuming you have a floppy drive. If not you could use a bootable CD. Go to http://users.adelphia.net/~abraxas/dl/BootIniEdit.exe and download that file. Run it to create the BootIniEdit floppy. Boot with that floppy and you can edit with a degree of safety since any error can be easily corrected.

Then try changing the partition (3) to a (1) in your present boot.ini file as a start.

ps. BootIniEdit provided by fellow member Abraxus.

 

Removing second copy from same drive different partition

Surferdude,
I have downloaded the Bootiniedit file.
I have read the "read me" file and it references NTFS files. Mine are all FAT32 files. It also said that the program is NOT for WinXP. I'm a bit worried about changing the boot.ini file. I'd hate to shoot myself in the foot. I'm not sure that I'd know how to "undo" any additional problems I might introduce to the equation.
Thank You for your input,
trackmaker60745

 

The readme file is a bit unclear since it actually means that the editor won't run under a command window in XP. It will edit XP boot.ini files just fine since it's actually booting to a self contained DOS system of its own.

However, since you are using a FAT32 system, you need not worry about not being able to access the file after incorrectly editing it. FAT32 files are readily accessible using a simple DOS boot disk or you can just opt to boot to a command prompt at the XP F8 option screen.

You will not be able to easily correct your problem without editing the boot.ini file so perhaps you should enlist the help of someone that is confident in doing that. It really isn't so tricky or dangerous and you can probably do it yourself if you are the least bit trained in editing text files.

 

Removing second copy from same drive different partition

Surferdude,
My palms are sweating as I contemplate editing the boot.ini file. I think I'll call my son before I begin to skate out on this thin ice. I will contact you after I work up the courage, or my son is willing to stick his neck out for "dear OLD dad ". In either case I'll let you know the outcome.........(if I can still use my machine.)
Thank you,
trackmaker60745

 

That sounds like a good plan. Sons are good for this kind of work.

Tell him to be sure and change both occurrences of the (3) to (1) that are listed in the boot.ini file.

All the best.