Recommended Windows Boot Managers!

Hi! I've partitioned my hard drive! I've got XP Installed on both for different uses! Can any one recommend a good Boot Manager that will allow me to boot into one by default and possibly change the names as well! The one I have found so far (Boot-Us) seems good apart from it doesn't replace the Windows one! It boots first i make my choice but then rather than booting to it i then get the windows one come up. I would prefer a boot Manager that runs within windows to make changes! Something like VISTA Boot Pro which I've used Before!!

Many Thanks!

 

I just use the native boot manager provided by XP, the boot.ini file. Perhaps you have some other need than you have described.

You can edit the boot.ini file to make either system the default one or you can run msconfig from the Run applet or command line and click the boot.ini tab. That will allow you to select which system you want for the default.

As for naming the systems, you can change the wording within the double quotes of the system loader line in boot.ini to say anything you choose. That script has no effect on system booting, it's only info for the user.

If you installed the systems without having both drives connected, then XP would not have automatically set up dual boot for you. I can instruct you on how to do that manually, if that be the case.

If I am misunderstanding your needs, post back with more information.

 

Hi! Thanks for the reply. I've tried the MSCONFIG option but it states i might have to log on using an adminstror account to make changes! I'm the only account set up as far as i can recall! How do i actually go about editing the boot ini file as this method seems to do what i require although a bit above my level of knowledge! Which is why i usually go for a third party program to do it for me! But i'll try this method with a bit of help!!

Many Thanks!!

 

Right-click on your desktop "My Computer" icon and select "Properties." Then click the "Advanced" tab. Then click "Settings" button in the "Startup and Recovery" area shown. Then click the "Edit" button. That will open the boot.ini file in a Notebook session. Highlight and right-click > Copy that text to your Clipboard. Close out of there without saving (do NOT reboot) and come back here and paste the contents in your next post so I can see what you have to work with.

ps. To make any changes later, you will need to be logged in with an account that has Administrator privileges. Check in Control Panel under User Accounts to see if your present account has that privilege. If not, create a new user account and choose the settings accordingly or else edit your present account to include that.

 

Here is my Bootini file!


timeout=15
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS= "Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /NOEXECUTE=OPTIN /FASTDETECT
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS= "Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect

Thanks!

Ps I appear to be the computer administrator! But earlier using MSCONFIG it delivered an error and stated i may need to log on as the administrator!

 

From that I see that you have installed XP on two different partitions of your primary drive.

You should be getting a boot menu displayed for 15 seconds that allows you to select one or the other of those installations.

Unfortunately they both have been assigned the same name so you need to alter that so it will be more informative.

It is currently booting the 2nd partition by the default setting. I can't be sure if that is the original install or your second one so you'll have to tell me that. Normally the original install would be on the 1st partition but not necessarily so clarify to me which is actually booting now if you don't select either and just time it out. Then tell me if you like that or would rather have the other one as default.

Now as to the naming of the menu selections:

You must not change anything except the script inside the double quotes.

As I stated before, you can change that script to say anything you want.

Open the file as directed before and edit the text in the line:

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS= "Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /NOEXECUTE=OPTIN /FASTDETECT

so that it reads:

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS= "Windows Pro 2nd partition" /NOEXECUTE=OPTIN /FASTDETECT

Click File > Save and then exit all windows. Reboot and notice the new menu script offered.

Post back your results and then we can polish it up to say whatever you like and change the default to whatever you prefer also.

 

Update before i carry on! By default it booting the 2nd partition but i would like it to boot the first by default as that is my main partition! (And the original) The 2nd partition is the one i recently installed!!

I am assuming that this will have an effect on what changes i make, which you suggested in previous post!

Thanks

 

No, let's stick with the original script since it was only for a demo to show you how things went down and also to see if the security setting would allow you to make the changes. Based on what you report back, we will have a better grasp on things.

 

Ok! I'll report back ASAP! My computer takes ages to boot up!

 

So far! So good! The change made appeared at boot up! So hopefully that part is OK! Although the MSCONFIG utility keeps running at start up and giving the following "Access denied error was returned while attempting to change a service. You may need to log on using administrator account to make specified changes "

 

OK, it looks like you're able to do the boot.ini editing with your present account privileges.

Now you can change the script in those lines to suit your purpose. You can also change the default system that is booted.

Run msconfig again and click the boot.ini tab. Select the line that says:

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS= "Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /NOEXECUTE=OPTIN /FASTDETECT

and then press the "Set As Default" button. Then click Apply and close the applet screen.

btw, first you will have to change the file attribute of the boot.ini file to remove the "read Only" setting. That's why it's nagging you. It is also a hidden file so you will need to have your view settings adjusted properly to see the file. It is located on the root of the C: drive.

Reboot for effect. When you get the nag screen for msconfig, tag the box shown that will prevent it from displaying in the future.

Now you can rename the menu selections to suit yourself as I directed you before:

and change the text that is enclosed in the double quotes to say what you like.

perhaps your final version will look something like this:

Notice the default partition number has changed to 1 now.

Save the changes and exit.

 

All is well with the changes made! I can't see the boot.ini file in the Root of my C:/ Drive i do have the option to see hidden files on! Is there any other settings that need changing?

 

In Windows Explorer:

• Click Tools > Folder Options... > View tab.
• UNcheck "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended) ".

 

A Big thanks to Surferdude2 for all your help!!!! and to Mail Man aswell!

 

My oversight, I should have told you how to expose ALL files so I'll do it now in case you want to reverse the effects and hide those sensitive files from your casual users.

Thanks Mailman for pitchin' in while I was away.

 

You both are very welcome.

 

Just a foot note! Rebooted earlier and that MSCONFIG screen still came up even though i've ticked the check box!!!!

 

If it persists, go back into msconfig and set the first screen (General) to Normal Startup. Reboot and the nag screen should be gone.

If that causes the default boot to revert back, we can edit it manually. Just post back and let me know.

 

Hi,

BTW, an interesting little app is Restart from Gabriele Ponti
http://www.gabrieleponti.com/software/
After installation it will allow you to boot into any other OS from a Systray icon's menu.
Another note:In the boot.ini ,the entry within the quotation marks " ",
can be anything you like.

Example :The line could look like thisTaken from surferdude2's post):
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS= "Microsoft Windows XP Professional 1st partition" /NOEXECUTE=OPTIN /FASTDETECT
or like this:
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS=" XP Pro 1" /NOEXECUTE=OPTIN /FASTDETECT
or even just "1" .

Pete.