How to delete second install of XP?

cyclones9 · 09-22-2006, 02:48 AM

I just installed XP today and i never really wiped out the system. Now, when i restart it.. It asks me What Windows Version i want to Run and the Choices are
Windows XP Home Edition
or
Windows XP Home Edition

I think i installed xp over the other one? Does n e one know how to remove one of these XP's?? Thanks!

terii · 09-22-2006, 02:51 AM

Edit the Boot.ini file. Remove the entry you are not using.

Start>rt click My Computer>Properties>Advanced>click Settings under Startup and Recovery. Option there to edit boot.ini.

As a word of caution: Be sure that you only the entry that you don't use. Deleting the other one will cause the system to fail on boot.

PC eye · 09-22-2006, 03:03 AM

The default information for the boot.ini file on drive C is as shown here. Use this as a reference.

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOW S
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Micro soft Windows XP Home Edition" /NOEXECUTE=OPTIN /FASTDETECT

Since the boot.ini file is a protected system file you will have to go into the folder options menu in Windows Explorer to uncheck the hide all protected system files option there. The boot.ini file will then be visible in Windows Explorer. When found at the root of C right click on it first to uncheck the "read only" box on the properties screen, click apply before exiting, and use NotePad to open it with.

You may want to first make a copy of it and save that in a separate folder in the event any mistakes are made.

cyclones9 · 09-22-2006, 03:51 AM

I did what that guy said.. Editied the boot.ini file to this
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOW S
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Micro soft Windows XP Home Edition" /NOEXECUTE=OPTIN /FASTDETECT

but now when i change that, It goes back to our Old XP and i want the Newest Version i just installed and i forgot to save the old one. Can someone solve my problem through remote assistance?

PC eye · 09-22-2006, 04:52 AM

When you performed the second installation was that an overwrite of XP with SP1? If that was also the Home version you should have said yes to the "delete current installation" option. Most of the time that will simply delete the Windows, DocumentsandSettings, and Program Files directories.

Deleting the new installation upon a fresh install at this time will correct this since it remove any record of the original installation. It may delete the current partition at this point as well.

StrangleHold · 09-22-2006, 05:11 AM

Just boot to the XP cd delete the partition, create a new one, format it then install!

PC eye · 09-22-2006, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StrangleHold

Just boot to the XP cd delete the partition, create a new one, format it then install!

That's easy to say unless there are files that need to recovered from the existing partition explaining why that wasn't done initially.

StrangleHold · 09-22-2006, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PC eye

That's easy to say unless there are files that need to recovered from the existing partition explaining why that wasn't done initially.

I just installed XP today and i never really wiped out the system

Where did he say that!

09-22-2006, 02:48 AM	#1 (permalink)
cyclones9 Bronze Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Age: 18 Posts: 73	How to delete second install of XP? I just installed XP today and i never really wiped out the system. Now, when i restart it.. It asks me What Windows Version i want to Run and the Choices are Windows XP Home Edition or Windows XP Home Edition I think i installed xp over the other one? Does n e one know how to remove one of these XP's?? Thanks! __________________ ~Brandon~ Emachines Intel Celeron 2.80GHz 512 MB - Upgrading to 512MB 80GB HD FreeAgent 250gb Exteral Hard Drive NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 4000 LG DVD Writer/ROM Drive LOGITECH KEYBOARD AND GE MOUSE 1.1 OS: Win XP Home Edition

09-22-2006, 03:51 AM	#4 (permalink)
cyclones9 Bronze Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Age: 18 Posts: 73	Re: I did what that guy said.. Editied the boot.ini file to this [boot loader] timeout=30 default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOW S [operating systems] multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Micro soft Windows XP Home Edition" /NOEXECUTE=OPTIN /FASTDETECT but now when i change that, It goes back to our Old XP and i want the Newest Version i just installed and i forgot to save the old one. Can someone solve my problem through remote assistance? __________________ ~Brandon~ Emachines Intel Celeron 2.80GHz 512 MB - Upgrading to 512MB 80GB HD FreeAgent 250gb Exteral Hard Drive NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 4000 LG DVD Writer/ROM Drive LOGITECH KEYBOARD AND GE MOUSE 1.1 OS: Win XP Home Edition

09-22-2006, 05:11 AM	#6 (permalink)
StrangleHold Diamond Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: In a realm of unknown Wonders Posts: 7,502	Just boot to the XP cd delete the partition, create a new one, format it then install! __________________ NZXT Apollo Athlon 64 X2 5600-3.3ghz. Gigabyte GA MA770 DS3 G Skill DDR2 1066-944mhz. 4gbs. PNY 8800GT/VD964 Cooler W/D Sata 3.0 500gb RE2 Humans are curious creatures and by nature insane. Lock us all in a room together and within hours we're dividing into groups, creating Gods and plotting on how to kill one another.

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09-22-2006, 02:51 AM	#2 (permalink)
terii Gold Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 278	Edit the Boot.ini file. Remove the entry you are not using. Start>rt click My Computer>Properties>Advanced>click Settings under Startup and Recovery. Option there to edit boot.ini. As a word of caution: Be sure that you only the entry that you don't use. Deleting the other one will cause the system to fail on boot.

09-22-2006, 03:03 AM	#3 (permalink)
PC eye Diamond Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Inside a pc Posts: 19,728	The default information for the boot.ini file on drive C is as shown here. Use this as a reference. [boot loader] timeout=30 default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOW S [operating systems] multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Micro soft Windows XP Home Edition" /NOEXECUTE=OPTIN /FASTDETECT Since the boot.ini file is a protected system file you will have to go into the folder options menu in Windows Explorer to uncheck the hide all protected system files option there. The boot.ini file will then be visible in Windows Explorer. When found at the root of C right click on it first to uncheck the "read only" box on the properties screen, click apply before exiting, and use NotePad to open it with. You may want to first make a copy of it and save that in a separate folder in the event any mistakes are made.

09-22-2006, 04:52 AM	#5 (permalink)
PC eye Diamond Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Inside a pc Posts: 19,728	When you performed the second installation was that an overwrite of XP with SP1? If that was also the Home version you should have said yes to the "delete current installation" option. Most of the time that will simply delete the Windows, DocumentsandSettings, and Program Files directories. Deleting the new installation upon a fresh install at this time will correct this since it remove any record of the original installation. It may delete the current partition at this point as well.