Is Delete OK

Thanks to Pete C I was able to get my system and setting back up. Now I have to choose each time in the bios which "Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" I want to load. The bottom one is the new one and the one that has all the settings that I run. So, is it OK to delete the old original version of windows? Then rename the new one from Window to Windows? Trying to be safe.
Baldy

 

You can delete the old "Windows" folder entirely. Then you will need to edit the boot.ini file to delete the loader line for that system. That's a hidden file with Read-only attributes so you'll have to change your view setting to see hidden files if you haven't already and change the Read-only attribute. The line to edit out will be the one with "Windows" in it. It will be the top loader line just below the line that says [Operating Systems]. Do NOT delete the one with "Window" in it since that's your usable system now. Then change the default line you see there so your present system is the default. After you edit that line out, save the changes and exit.

If you need help with that, open the boot.ini file and copy the contents and paste them here for review.

That should allow you to boot without getting the choice menu nag.

You must not rename the Window folder since the system will fail to boot. It won't allow you to rename it under normal circumstances using normal means. It will work fine named as "Window. "

 

I took care of the boot.ini file, but when I went to delete the "Windows" file I got this message. "You are sharing C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\drivers as print$. Others may be using files in this folder. If you delete the folder, it will no longer be shared. Are you sure you want to delete it?" I wanted to be safe and recheck to make sure it's OK.
Baldy

 

It should be safe to delete that shared folder since the system is no longer viable. I'm wondering why it protested. Perhaps you had shared the printer on a network or possibly the folder just got assigned the share accidentally.

 

I got scared to delete the old file. After checking sizes the old one is over 6gb and the new one is just 950mb. Here is my boot.ini file before and after changing it.

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOW
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOW= "Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS= "Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOW
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOW= "Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect

I get the nag to choose "Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" or "Windows (default) "

The first time I rebooted after editing the boot I took off the "/NoExecute=Optin" and tried it again, but still get the same nag.

Baldy

 

The boot.ini is fine except for the timeout. Change it to 0 (zero)Edit: To be on the safe side, change it to 3 and test to see if it boots properly. If so you can change it to 0 if the 3 second delay bothers you. If it doesn't boot properly, you can still select the other either option and get back to windows to edit the boot.ini back to a higher setting. That will escape the danger of getting locked out. and save. You should then be good to go straight into Windows. I have never experienced this situation where the boot.ini file would ask what yours is asking but it apparently is related to the unorthidox system folder name.

If the rest of the system is working well, you may be better off to leave it alone. I have performed parallel install before and always had to reinstall all my Registry dependent software. You seem to be saying that all of your programs still work when booted to the parallel install. I can't explain that so use your own judgement after giving the system some time to demonstrate its reliability. If it's going to give strange problems, reinstalling cleanly would be my recommendation. You can at least use the parallel install to access and backup your personal files. That's the way a parallel install is supposed to be used and the only way it is authorized my MS.

Good Luck.

 

That didn't work, it went right to the basic windows setup. Here is the way my file looks now

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOW
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS= "Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect

What would happen if I put an S on WINDOW at the end of the default line?
If it didn't work can you get to the ini file through dos to correct it?

 

No, you can't edit the boot.ini file from dos if you are using the NTFS file system. It's possible if you the FAT32 file system but that's not common. I can supply you with a boot floppy that will allow editing the boot.ini file of an NTFS system. I also can supply a boot CD that does the same, in case there is no floppy drive. Let's hope you don't need that but it's available if needed.

Boot up and go to Start > Run > and type %systemroot% and click OK. Note what the directory name is that you are taken to so we can see actually what your true system directory really is.

 

You didn't edit the file properly. It still has WINDOWS in the loader line for operating systems. Delete the s from WINDOWS and save the change. Reboot for effect.

 

That didn't work. So, put the old original file back I tried the S on WINDOW and it started up with the bottom line highlighted. Click it and it booted up fine.

Tried the %systemroot% and it came up showing the original windows file. Don't know how but thats what it's booting to now.

Setting it like this and that should work. If it doesn't I'll let you know.
Thanks for all the help
Baldy

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS= "Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect

 

Wow, that's very strange! You actually don't have a parallel install but your system is booting the old version that was previously defective. I won't try to explain that but hope it continues to work for you.

Presumably if you have a WINDOW (no S) folder, it could be deleted but try renaming it first just to be safe. (If there is such a thing as safe in this situation)

 

Thanks for all the help suferdude2. It's still working and I got rid of the nag.
Baldy