Please select operating system

Hi, I have re-installed winXP after a few problems with it and it now runs fine however, despite my re-installing XP, on startup I get the message "Please select operating system" which gives me the option of Windows XP or Windows XP!.
Anyu ideas how I can get rid of this message.
TIA

 

OUCH !!!
I strongly suspect that you have two installs of XP and may have nothing but more trouble EXPERIENCE Speaking I believe that in order to work properly most software will need to be installed again. My suggestion is to get rid of the 2nd install and re-install majing sure that the re-install goes into the existing directory.

BillyBob

 

Also.
Over the years I have also found it best TO NOT Boot from the HD to do a re-install of ANY version of Windows. Because any inuse files will not ( or at least may not ) get overwritten properly. Or there may be stuff in RAM that conflicts. I find that Booting from a POWER OFF state directlly to a floppy or CD gives a much better results.

People can say what they wish but I say " Good old fashoined DOS ( if used properly ) is not dead yet. "

BillyBob

PS.
I am enjoying this post veyr much.

BB

 

Tks for the reply Christer. After extensive search unable to find a boot.ini file anywhere on my PC.

 

It's a hidden file. To expose it:

Open Windows Explorer > Tools > Folder Options > View >

Check "Show hidden files and folders "

Uncheck "Hide file extensions for known file types and Hide protected operation system files "

OK out of there.

 

I know this will sound incredible stupid but how do you do an install with POWER OFF? Doesn't the computer need to be on to be able to do anything with it???

If this is a term meaning something can you please tell me? Again sorry for the stupid question and thank you.

 

Hi Christer
Your way will work but I do not even do it that way.

I boot to a good old fashioned DOS 3.5 floppy with CDROM support from power off after a few minutes wait to be sure that RAM has had time to clear.

I assume that Anne is refering to the above by me. When she asks this "I know this will sound incredible stupid but how do you do an install with POWER OFF? Doesn't the computer need to be on to be able to do anything with it??? "
Answer is YES. That is what the Startup Floppy does. It powers the machine and devices and allows you to access the CD ( or FLoppy ) to run setup. And again it gives more assurance that RAM is clear.

Again we just need to be sure that a re-install goes into the existing WIndows folder.

BillyBob

 

I'll have to disagree with that. Using a Win98 boot floppy with the necessary dos tools, you can install XP from the CD.

That's what I'm talkin' about!

 

Christer, I was just making sport of you for the apparent contradiction of those two statements. In reality installing XP from a dos boot is a nightmare. I don't recommend it for the faint of heart.

BillyBob, stick with Win9x when using that method. It's very slow and painful when applied to XP SP2.

I apologize for contributing to the hi-jacking of the thread and will await further data from bg9208 regarding his problem.

 

Dear surferdude2 and others.

I may get kicked off the board after this note but here goes any way

There is no need to apologize for anything. ( at least not to me ) That is what this forum is supposed to be about. Different ideas and/or ways of doing things.
Over the years ( I am 74 now ) I have learned more or at least as much by doing and/or trilal and error than I have from books.
I have also learned that what may work on my machine may kill my Wifes; machine. Or at least not work.
Again the COMBINATIONS of Hardware, ( right from the MB on up ) software, AND USER play a HUGH part in everything. And again over the years I have found the USER may be the hardest thing to control. I have one Niece who seems to refuse to remember to make sure that program A is shut down before running B: When I say something the answer I get is " well I can do it on SO & SO's machine." I will not print my answer to her.
When I had my first machine built for me YEARS AGO the TECH told me then " Read the book to get the BASIC of what is supposed to happen. Then pay attention to what happens when you do what to find out what REALLY happens.
When something goes wrong I have to STOP AND THINK of what I may have done to mess things up.

Y'all Have a Nice day. Gotta go refill my coffe cup.
BillyBob

 

on one of the 2 os can't you--in run type d:setup enter and it will start. and you can pick where you want it. if it shows 2 xp os and 1 partition is too small it may be backup. leave it there, if equal size it's not, then after setup, restart and enter the other and format it if you don't want 2 of the same? after checking for backup partition. if only 1 has backup, keep it. format the one without.

 

It is not an error.
When you update windows over a preexisting copy it keeps that line.
If you allow windows to boot on its own or select the version you want.
If you do a fresh install on that partition you will get only the one choice.
It is not an error message.
Simply inidicates that you have done a reinstall or update.
Somewhere on this forum someone gave instructions on how to remove this message.

 

I have to disagree. It is an error of some type. It's an error on the part of the user. When you reinstall XP you shouldn't get two OS selections in the boot.ini unless (here's where the error comes in) you don't pay attention during the install and install XP to a different folder than the first installation is in. When you do this, you end up with a dual boot situation. One selection will boot to the new OS in the new folder, the other boots to the old OS in the old folder.

If you choose a repair install and select the current OS, you should never end up with a dual boot situation.

 

Good Morning

I am ready for another day of discussion.

In response to this

I received this E-mail note.

" This is not the case when installing Windows XP is concerned, no matter what which hardware is concerned. "

I 1000% disagree.

And I am not even going to make an attempt because if it did not work WE would lose too much. As it is now we spend time alone on the machines and then spend time playing games between them.

PLUS !!
My own PERSONAL memory is not the greatest now and if I should make a mistake I may not be able to recover. So I guess that I should leave well enough alone. I feel VERY LUCKEY to be doing as good as I am.

For a PC to work well it takes a a COMBINATION. ( OOPS !!! there is that word Combination again ) of Hardware, Software AND USER. If either one is not up to par things may not work right.

Now. If anybody wants to argue with me, COME ON ! I am ready.

Billybob

PS.
Is this note is not suitable for public use then you may delete it.

BB