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
yep still missing something, i installed windows 7 beta also after original xp pro install. my boot.ini shows only xp pro but when starting up pc, windows 7 (uninstalled and partition it was installed on removed) is still default option...obviusly can't start up unless manually change to xp each time.
Posted by: paul at February 10, 2009 9:11 AMYou should be able to fix all this. Instead of going to "My computer", because all the Operating Systems will be different, go to your boot drive (C:\) and get into "tools", "folder Options", in the "View" tab, change the settings to "Show hidden files and folders", and also untick the box which says "Hide protected operating system files (recommended)". Then boot.ini should show up in the C:\ root. get into it and remove the unwanted OS.
Posted by: Jacob at March 23, 2009 8:20 PMIf you have the operating systems installed on different hard drives, then you will need to make sure that you are changing the boot.ini file on the BOOT drive, which should be C:\
I had these same exact 2 boot listings and I removed the Windows XP Pro setup boot just as you said to do but upon reboot it is now repleced with a Windows default boot along with my Windows XP Pro boot but I can't find the Windows default boot listed anywhere. I looked in msconfig and in my computer/properties/advanced/settings/edit too.
Posted by: Joseph Bloe (pron Blay) at April 2, 2009 12:36 PMHere is my boot.ini
[Boot Loader]
Posted by: Joseph Bloe (pron Blay) at April 2, 2009 12:44 PMTimeout=5
Default=C:\$WIN_NT$.~BT\BOOTSECT.DAT
[Operating Systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
How to Uninstall and Remove Windows 7 or Vista Leaving Windows XP on Dual Boot System.
http://www.mydigitallife.info/2009/01/17/how-to-uninstall-and-remove-windows-7-or-vista-leaving-windows-xp-on-dual-boot-system/
Posted by: Paul at May 5, 2009 7:09 AMHi There,
This is Zack here.
I installed Windows XP Pro and then again in another partition installed Widows Vista in the same hard drive with four partitions.
Now, Vista was hanging up sometimes and I formatted that drive, and then whenever I tried to boot I get two options as follow:
Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Microsoft Windows (default)
The boot.ini file is as follow:
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect /usepmtimer
Now, is there a way out so that I can completely get rid of that useless "Windows Default" option from the boot option and because there is only one OS installed now which is XP Pro, and it boots my Windows XP Pro normally without any options?
Please help me.
Posted by: Zack at May 23, 2009 7:11 AMRegards,
Zack.
if you are not sure what are you going to do with "Boot.INI" then better not to touch it,if u made some changes and after that your not able to run windows on your OS then what u have to do is to insert windows CD choose option "R" for Repair choose your OS 1 then Enter Admin Pass if any or just press Enter. now type boot fix, Enter and follow the instructions once u done with this just restart your System and enjoy is working fine now.........Ali jan........available for your help always...... [email address removed]
Posted by: Ali Jan at July 20, 2009 10:50 PMhey 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 AM