[inite]

I've just reformated comp and somehow i've this new thingy. Whenever i start comp, i'll be given 30 seconds to choose which os i wanna start windows in. In the past i do not used to have these options. Furthermore, these 3 options are exactly the same.

Im wondering if the additional 2 OS will cause my comp to be laggy, or take up significant spaces, if so, is there a way i can remove the other 2 os so i just start with a default without having to wait 30 seconds.

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On your C: drive is a file called boot.ini. You can edit this and remove the extra options. I recommend you make a copy of the boot.ini file to another location just in case you accidentally remove the wrong entries.

The boot.ini file is hidden, so you may have to go into Tools -> Folder Options to show hidden files. It is also read-only, so make sure you uncheck the read-only box in the file properties before deleting the extra/redundant entries (otherwise you won't be able to save your changes).

Sample boot.ini file:
[boot loader]
timeout=30
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

Find the option under [operating systems] that matches the default and delete the other entries (if they're just duplicates, delete all but one).

This should take care of your problem.

[back2killah]

On your C: drive is a file called boot.ini. You can edit this and remove the extra options. I recommend you make a copy of the boot.ini file to another location just in case you accidentally remove the wrong entries.

The boot.ini file is hidden, so you may have to go into Tools -> Folder Options to show hidden files. It is also read-only, so make sure you uncheck the read-only box in the file properties before deleting the extra/redundant entries (otherwise you won't be able to save your changes).

Sample boot.ini file:
[boot loader]
timeout=30
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

Find the option under [operating systems] that matches the default and delete the other entries (if they're just duplicates, delete all but one).

This should take care of your problem.

[inite]

ok, but does that normally take up alot of space or lag the comp somehow?

[gerryf]

best post your boot.ini here for someone to look at

[inite]

hmm, may i know where i can get the infos of boot.ini? tried search with "boot.ini" , cant find the file tho

[back2killah]

It should be in your C:\ folder.
It is a hidden file, so you will have to change your folder view options.
Run Windows Explorer and click on Tools -> Folder Options.
Select the View tab you will see a list of Advanced Settings.
Change the one for Hidden Files and Folders to: Show hidden files and folders.

Then you should be able to find your boot.ini file.

[inite]

hmm ya ok, i did just that and i cant seem to find the boot.ini in the C: drive. Could it be hidden in some other folders?

[blsimpson]

the Boot.ini file is a Windows Protected File. You have to go into Tools>Folder Options>View> and untick the one that says: Hide Protected Operating System Files (Recommended) and click apply. You will now be able to see the Boot.ini file on the root drive (C:\). Now you can post it here.

Ben

[blsimpson]

yes, yours is clean. His prolly is too, just happens sometimes. I am sure all he will have to do is delete the two duplicates.
By the way, as long as you dont have multiple copies of the OS installed on the system, it will not slow-down or take up any room to have those in there, except the startup time it takes to choose the default OS. There are ways around that as well, if you dont feel comfortable editing the Boot.ini file.

Ben

[gerryf]

It ain't there!!?? Dzeez, then I got some idea. Open Notepad and copy this text to it (i copied from my own boot.ini)

[boot loader]
timeout=30
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

Then save it as boot.ini.

If it asks to replace the current file with the one you are trying to safe, say NO. because even though this one is mine, it might be wrong. Try to do F3 again and search for "boot" (without the quotes)

If it just saves it, reboot and it should be normal again.

Do not swap boot.ini files or edit them unless you know how to interpret Advanced RISC Computing (ARC) specifications.

default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS

You will render his computer inoperable doing this--you are booting from a the first ide drive on the first controller, but from the second partition on that drive,

This is NOT STANDARD.

Your boot.ini will absolutely prevent his computer from booting.

I appreciate your efforts to help, but you are someone with just enough knowledge to be dangerous--you are becoming a dangerous poster, yezpahr.

Please, read more, post less.

[gerryf]

yours boots that way because you installed windows xp on the second partition--windows can boot from any partition, though it does install some files on the first partition of the first device pointing at the windows install.

Most people have a single drive with a single partition.

Your ARC path tells the computer to look in the WINDOWS directory on the second partion of the windows files--this is not common.

[blsimpson]

you by chance using a Dell Yezpahr? If you look at the Disk Manager, under Computer Manager, you will see that there is a small partition on Disk1, and your C:\ drive is partition 2. That is why it works for you, and will not work for him.
I also agree with Yezpahr, if you are going to tell someone they are wrong, at least explain to them why. That way maybe next time he will understand, and not give the wrong information.

ben