Help with a screw up on computer?

Question

I had my hard drive replaced alittle while ago and they put 98 in and a friend of mine put in windows xp 2003.I haven't got the cd for 98 neither does my friend but I do have the cd for windows xp.When I turn on my computer 98 and windows xp comes up and I have to high light windows xp It is just a pain to go through of all that can someone please help me.

Answer 1

BE CAREFUL - IF YOU GET THIS WRONG, YOUR COMPUTER MAY NOT BOOT AT ALL!

In the root directory of drive C:, there will be a file called boot.ini. It may be hidden, so you might not be able to see it in explorer.

To show hidden files, do this:
1. On the Tools menu in Windows Explorer, click Folder Options.
2. Click the View tab.
3. Under Hidden files and folders, click Show hidden files and folders.

To change this file, run notepad (it's in accessories) and open boot.ini in the root of drive C:.

You will see something like this:

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT

[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT="Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP" /fastdetect

Here you can see that the 'default=' line at the top refers to my copy of Windows 2000. To make XP boot automatically, I would need to change the 'default=' line to the location of XP, which in my case will be multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS (yours will be different!)

You can also change the line 'timeout=30', to something shorter like 'timeout=5', then the computer will only stay at this screen for 5 seconds waiting for you to make a choice.

Answer 2

The solution is simple
Load XP, search for a file by the name "boot.ini" (should be in the root path of C: drive). Edit the file using "notepad". Remove the command line which referes to "windows 98" or "Microsoft windows". Save the file. Exit Notepad. Restart the computer and BINGO! Ure done.
P.S. Do not remove the line which refers to "Windows XP" otherwise its goodbye to the computer!!!!

Answer 3

U Might Want To Reformat Yr Hard Disk(Both OSes)And Try Windows Vista

Answer 4

This is exactly what you do, as long as you installed WinXP properly.

Start > Run :MSCONFIG

Click the tab 'boot.ini'. Then click 'check all boot paths'. Any operating system installed on your machine, that has been removed, will be detected as missing and you will be given the option to remove it from the boot menu. You want to do this, and you will never see a OS selection again :)

Answer 5

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Answer 6

Format C: and reinstall only Windows XP.

LT Windows will delete a second OS but some files will remain and cause you trouble latter.The better and safe way is to install a fresh copy after you format the disk.

Answer 7

I think to be on the safe side just keep doin what you are doing now.

Answer 8

you have to boot from the cd

Answer 9

its dual booted you have to to a complete format and reinstal

Answer 10

remove 98
go to smartcomputing.com
to find out how