bypassing setup boot menu?

I recently started the process of reinstalling windows XP pro but then chickened out when I was unable to delete a partition because it contained "necessary setup files" for reinstalling windows. I decided to cancel the setup. Since then I have fixed the problem that made me want to reinstall windows, but my computer still boots to a screen that says "please select an operating system to start" and allows me to choose between "microsoft windows xp professional" and "microsoft windows xp professional setup." Windows works perfectly when I choose to run it, but the message is annoying because if I don't choose to start windows within 3 seconds it enters the setup program again. Is there a way to make my computer boot windows automatically again instead of taking me to this boot menu?

Thanks for any help.

 

Hi bibs and welcome,

You'll need to edit the boot.ini file to rid it of that line referring to the setup program. There are several ways to do that but lets go the safest route since you are listing your experience as beginner.

Right click the "My Computer" icon and select Properties > Advanced Tab > Settings button (in startup recovery area) > Edit button. That will open the boot.ini file in a Notepad session. Copy that entire text and paste it back here for review.

 

Here's the text:

[Boot Loader]
Timeout=0
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" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect
C:\$WIN_NT$.~BT\BOOTSECT.DAT= "Microsoft Windows XP Professional Setup "


In the meantime, I've changed the default operating system to XP pro instead of XP pro setup in the drop down bar in the startup and recovery tab. I then unchecked "time to display list of operating systems" which makes it boot (or at least look like it's booting) windows normally. Not an elegant solution, so if someone can easily tell me what to change in the boot.ini file I'd be much obliged. Thanks!

 

Just delete the line:

C:\$WIN_NT$.~BT\BOOTSECT.DAT= "Microsoft Windows XP Professional Setup "

and save the changes before closing. You should be good to go.

 

Thanks

That fixed it. Thanks for the help, Surferdude2!

 

Thanks for the update. I'm glad you were able to get it fixed.

All the best.