Summary: In Windows XP removing boot choices is as simple as editing a hidden configuration file. Fortunately finding that file is relatively easy.
I have a annoying problem on my PC. I have 2 partitions on my computer. On the main partition I have Windows XP Pro and I tried to install Windows XP Media Center on my second partition.
All went well until my installation froze, so I had to reboot.
Now every time I boot my PC, I keep having the choose to start with my original Windows XP Pro or Windows XP Pro Setup. And if I choose for the setup, my computer crashes.
Is there a way to remove that choose and all the other installation files from Windows Media Center? I've already formatted the second partition.
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It sounds like you've already gotten rid of the installation files by reformatting, so all that's really left is getting rid of your boot choice. If the installer worked as I expect it did, it should be easy to fix.
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There's a hidden file in the root of your boot drive that not many people know about, called "boot.ini". It controls what happens at boot time. In the past the thing to do was to edit this file manually, but that's no longer necessary.
Right click on My Computer, and select Properties. Now click on the Advanced tab. In a section labeled Startup and Recovery click on the button labeled Settings. You should now be looking at a dialog like this:
Click on Edit to edit the startup options file (aka boot.ini) manually. That should open Notepad with something similar to the following from my machine:
[boot loader] timeout=5 default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS [operating systems] multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptOut C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons
In this example, you can see that I have two options to choose from when I boot: Windows XP, and the Recovery Console. I'm guessing you have an additional line for the XP Pro Setup that you had trouble with it. You can simply delete that line.
And if you're tired of having the computer wait 30 seconds for you to choose an operating system, you can also change the timeout value, as I have in my example.
Save that file, and when you next reboot you should no longer have that additional option.
Related:
How do I get rid of boot choices in Windows 7? - It can be confusing to remove multi-boot choices for operating systems that have been removed. We'll walk through the simple process for Windows 7.
Article C2514 - January 7, 2006
hey dude i have a really annoying problem ....!
i start xp setup just to format a partition but it continued till up to copying files stage, like about 70% and i took off the computer. When i started up again i saw the setup as i choice but i didnt, i booted up in the other choice; XP and edited the startup & recovery option. I am now cin "window (default)" as the new choice along with the normal Xp
I wanna know how can i remove that
i'm dual booting vista and xp ....
Posted by: Satesh at August 30, 2009 8:51 AMI am using VISTA 64, recently i tried to install Linux ASUS 10.1 OS.
In the middle of the installation when it ask me to format partition i refused it and quit the installation.
now every time i reboot my pc it prompt me in dual boot option with ASUS (windows installer).
i found some helpful solutions.
Posted by: Angel of Death at November 2, 2009 12:17 PMhttp://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/vistarepair/thread/1561b2d9-d828-4bdd-b47a-bfdcddae76e2?prof=required
Thanks Loe, Its been a pain in the neck for months. Too bad i found your post late.
Posted by: Demissew at November 12, 2009 8:03 AMI am using XP Professional and the first hard Disk which contains the primary partition broke now but I was already using the first one before that which already contains a partition now when I removed the Broken one I am still getting those two options.
I could have reduced the time to get rid of it but its by default is selecting the broken one.
What shoul
Posted by: Ajay at December 2, 2009 8:50 AMd I do ?
i made the mistake of of changing time to display to "0" and "0" and now i can't boot up. do i have any hope withhout the recovery cd. please help me!
Posted by: ron at December 28, 2009 11:23 PM