Windows XP question...?

Question

I just reformatted the computer. Now when i startup, I am asked to select between two versions of windows xp at startup. How can i just get rid of this screen and make it always choose the first by default?

Answer 1

You will have to edit the Boot.ini file. WHat has happened is that rather than REINSTALL, you actually have TWO installations of Windows XP.

You might do better to format and reinstall (so long as there is no data loss)

Answer 2

While many of these answers are valid, there is also another option which may be more user friendly. You can open the Control Panel and select System (under 'Performance and Maintenance' if in Category view). Click the Advanced tab, then the Settings button under Startup and Recovery. Select correct XP setting in the drop down menu. Then remove the check box to the 'Time to display list of operating systems' option so that your choice becomes the immediate default.

I do agree with the other posts that you should edit your boot.ini file to remove the dead entry. This way all your housekeeping is correct. Optionally, you can hit the Edit button located just below the check boxes and that will give you access to the boot.ini file. Remove the offending line under the [operating systems] header and save the file. You may want to update your default drop down box just incase though.

Answer 3

Reformatting doesn't clear the master boot record..


You can edit the boot.ini and remove the entry for the other "record" or go into control panel and select the primary boot device from
Control Panel -- > System -- > Hardware Tab -- Hardware Profiles and delete the record

Answer 4

Well there is a easy way to do this:
Click on Start>>Run>>type Msconfig and press ENTER>>Click on Boot.ini TAB ......there u will see both windows .Now click on the ONE u wanna boot every time and then click APPLY and OK. Also Set Time Out box to 3 seconds . Exit then restart and ..... thats all folk . Simple ........like that.

If you wanna know more.....
Feel free to contact me on yahoo messenger for more details.

Answer 5

Removing XP or W2k from a dual boot:
If you have XP and W2k installed on the same machine and want to remove one.
follow these steps:

first edit the boot.ini file:
boot.ini should be hidden.
open my computer
tools
folder options >>view
uncheck hide system files.
Now open the boot.ini file with note pad.
will look something like this:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\W2KPRO
change this to the location of the system folder (i.e. WINNT or which ever folder you installed it in) of which ever O/S you intend to keep.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Under the [operating system] section you should have one of these lines.

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\W2KPRO="Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional" /fastdetect
or
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect
Delete which ever OS you don't need.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now delete the folder of that OS

Answer 6

not being a "pro"... but my idea is...
go into the control panel
go into add/ remove programs
delete the 1 program that you don't want to use...
that MIGHT allow for the one to be used as the default.

hope this helps and works for you.