duel boot ?

M

meanman

Active Member
hi i have had windows xp home and vista running on two diffrent hdds when i boot up i get a choice of which os to boot to ,
yesturday i decided i wanted to use the hdd that vista is on for storage so i formated it and got rid of vista but when i boot i still get the option to pick the os to boot to,
i need to get rid of this but i dont know how could someone please help
 
There are two commonly used methods for this. The experienced user will make a copy of the original "boot.ini" file before trying out a dual boot with another especially bewer version of Windows since this file is changed along the master boot record. The second is to boot your system with the XP installation disk and go to the recovery console.

At the recovery console there are two commands you can try here to correct this. Those are the "FIXMBR" and "FIXBOOT" commands that yo0 would type at the command prompt. Generally the fixmbr command works the best. The other option available is to use an old WIN 98 or ME startup floppy disk and boot the system with that. Once you reach the dos prompt you type in "FDISK /MBR".

The last thing done is a manual edit of the "boot.ini" file found at the root of the hard drive. Since this is hidden you may have to go into the tools drop down menu on the explorer bar of either MyComputer or Windows Explorer. Click on the options to open the next screen and then click the "views" tab. Uncheck the options to hide protected system files and click on the apply button to see that done.

Now the hardest part is the actual edit of the boot.ini file itself. Right now it should look like this.
;
;Warning: Boot.ini is used on Windows XP and earlier operating systems.
;Warning: Use BCDEDIT.exe to modify Windows Vista boot options.
;
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /NOEXECUTE=OPTIN /FASTDETECT

After right clicking on the boot.bak file which will look the same but give a practice file to work with uncheck the "read only" box at that time. Now go to NotePad and browse for the same file to open it. You will have to set the "all files" instead of "text only" to see it. Once it is open look at how the finish will appear below.

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

Without reinstalling XP this should remove the entry you see when Windows is loading. You then save the file as the boot.bak to overwrite the practice file and delete the actual boot.ini file after. Once that is done you can rename the boot.bak file to boot.ini. That was the practice file there. To insure no mistakes at first make a copy of the actual boot.ini file and save it to a folder or even floppy. Right click on the original and make the changes. Afterwards simply recheck the "read only' on the followup right click.
 
The easiest way is to go to Start > Run and type in msconfig. Go to the Boot.ini tab. Delete the Vista entry and save the config file. That should fix you up.
 
SirKenin said:
The easiest way is to go to Start > Run and type in msconfig. Go to the Boot.ini tab. Delete the Vista entry and save the config file. That should fix you up.
Click to expand...

BUNK! :rolleyes: Once the boot.ini file is restored you still have to deal with Vista's "bootmbr" file where the real fun begins. Being lazy and not unplugging the primary I had some fun trying to change properies on it for manual deletion. That one file can not be removed with a Live Linux distro either. It's improved form of protection on it there. The "FIXMBR" command at the recovery console simply restores the master boot record from any change made by the beta installer.

The boot.ini file is a simple right click to uncheck the "read only" and open it with NotePad to remove the other lines. That's where you can't plan on right clighting to delete after. Surprise! You now have try dragging it from one window to another in Windows Explorer and keep trying to drag it into the recycle bin. Finally a message asking if you want to delete it will finally appear if you try long enough.
 
Here's how to do it from start to finish.

Start the Recovery Console
Run fixboot {drive}
Run fixmbr
Exit Recovery Console and Reboot into XP.
Go to Start > Run and type in msconfig
Go to boot.ini tab and remove vista entry
Save the file
Reboot.

No screwing around like PC Eye is famous for. For some reason he misses steps (in this case fixboot) or doesn't get them right at all and does everything the hard way (like trying to screw around with editing the boot.ini properties and contents).

EDIT: Because he'll argue until he's blue in the face, call me names, tell me I'm wrong, throw irrelevant Google links and cut and pastes at everyone, tell us about his AST 486 and his custom IBM interfaces, I will add a link that outlines what I just told you.

http://www.tech-recipes.com/microsoft_vista_tips1040.html
 
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Again you are "way off"! :rolleyes: The problem isn't with the XP boot.ini file. That is XP's own file. You already have file permissions for editing that by right clicking on it and unchecking the "read only" box. The dual boot selector was put there by a "NEWER OS" and is not XP orientated. No %^#&@ around???

Currently I am multibooting XP, RC1, and Eventually when lilo gets installed Zenwalk a Linux distro. Vista did install the "bootmgr" file onto the XP primary on the first install. With the primary disconnected aftter wiping that Vista copy saw a fresh installation with a new mbr on it's own. But all you can do is move the "bootmgr" file into a folder to get it off of the root of the primary drive. Even the Vista beta couldn't delete it until full permissions are set.

The bootmgr file is what shows at boot time to select Vista or the "older operating systems" option on the line above. Gee XP is booting normally now that bootmgr is buried in a useless folder somewhere! :D
 
hahahaha.

Did I tell you Meanman? Or did I tell you? Do I know how to call him or what? He's as predictable as they come. Should we tell him that the title of the article is "Vista: How to Uninstall Vista on Dual Boot Machine"? Maybe he would like to contact the editors at [email protected] and tell them how wrong they are?

haha. That was a good chuckle. :D
 
SirKenin said:
hahahaha.

Did I tell you Meanman? Or did I tell you? Do I know how to call him or what? He's as predictable as they come. Should we tell him that the title of the article is "Vista: How to Uninstall Vista on Dual Boot Machine"? Maybe he would like to contact the editors at [email protected] and tell them how wrong they are?

haha. That was a good chuckle. :D
Click to expand...

I certainly don't need an email address. But so far you haven't provided a working link to any article or blog detailing how that is done. :rolleyes: Instead you see Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage
 
It isn't a forum, you nutbar. lol ;) It's just a standard webpage. Man alive... You have issues. I thought you said you were familiar with that link? Another fabrication of your imagination I assume.
 
SirKenin said:
It isn't a forum, you nutbar. lol ;) It's just a standard webpage. Man alive... You have issues. I thought you said you were familiar with that link? Another fabrication of your imagination I assume.
Click to expand...

You are the one getting confused here apparently. The mention of a familiar link was on another thread entirely! :confused: Or did you forget this one? http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/shexview.html posted on the other thread. (Meanwhile back to the Vista removal farm...)



REMOVING WINDOWS VISTA FROM YOUR SYSTEM​


1. If you installed Windows Vista as a STANDALONE operating system on its own PC, then simply reformat the hard drive it is on.

2. Where one has DUAL BOOTED with another operating system, for example: Windows XP, then boot into Windows XP and go to Disk Management (right click My Computer>Manage>Disk Management).

Select the drive you have Windows Vista installed on, right click it and select Format. A quick format is all you need. Should you get an error message stating that the drive is in use, open My Computer from your Windows XP desktop, right-click the drive containing the Windows Vista installation you wish to remove and format it from there.

Go to the Run dialogue box on your Windows XP or other "legacy" operating system start menu and type "msconfig" (without the quotes). This will open the System Configuration Utility. Then go to the BOOT.INI tab and select "Check All Boot Paths".

This is automatic and all you need to do after this is select "OK" and "Apply". Do not select "Restart" at this point, but choose "Exit Without Restart" instead.

Next, you must delete the following files and folders from the root of your System drive or partition (Usually Drive C:\)

$RECYCLE.BIN
Boot (folder)
Boot.BAK
BOOTSECT.BAK

Now restart the computer.

On restart, place a check in the System dialogue box that pops up.

Note: This method, while easy to use and effective, has its shortcomings. It does not carry out a full cleanup of your system and leaves traces of the Windows Vista installation on your Windows XP system drive.

These will not interfere with your Windows XP installation should you choose not to remove them. However, should it be your intention to install another operating system in place of Windows Vista or to reinstall Windows Vista, then it is necessary that you follow the MULTI-BOOT REMOVAL METHOD indicated below

3. To remove Windows Vista from a MULTI-BOOT environment where it has been installed on a system containing two or more other "Legacy" operating systems, and with Windows Vista still fully installed, insert your Windows XP CD into your CD/DVD Drive and reboot.

CAUTION: Modifying the contents of one's boot.ini file and bootsector may lead to not being able to access the operating system.

When prompted to by Setup, "Press any key to boot from CD...". Wait for the very first Setup screen at which Setup stops and press R (To repair a Windows XP Installation using Recovery Console, press R). If you installed Windows Vista to a Multi-Boot RAID Array, you will need to install your F6 RAID Floppy drivers, before you get to the setup screen where you press R to enter the Recovery Console.

Select your Windows XP partition > 1. C:\WINDOWS > type "1" (without the quotes) or the appropriate corresponding number for the drive containing your boot.ini

Insert your Administrator password when prompted and Enter

Type "fixboot" at the command prompt and Enter

Type "Yes" and when "Are you sure you want to write a new bootsector to the partition C: ?" appears, type "Y" and Enter

The following message will appear > "a new boot sector was successfully created".

At the command prompt type "exit" and Enter

When the system reboots you will notice that the Windows Vista bootloader no longer exists.

Boot into Windows XP and go to Disk Management (right click My Computer>Manage>Disk Management).

Select the drive you have Windows Vista installed on, right click it and select Format. A quick format is all you need. Should you get an error message stating that the drive is in use, open My Computer from your Windows XP desktop, right-click the drive containing the Windows Vista installation you wish to remove and format it from there.


Now go to Windows Explorer and delete the following files from the root of your Windows XP installation hard drive or partition:

$RECYCLE.BIN
Boot (folder)
Boot.BAK
bootmgr
BOOTSECT.BAK


Next, right click My Computer, select Properties>Advanced>Startup and Recovery>Settings and under System startup, make sure that Windows XP is selected as the Default operating system. If not, then select it as Default operating system and select OK at the foot of the Startup and Recovery user interface and again select OK at the foot of System Properties user interface.

To confirm that your boot.ini file is now correct, go to the Run dialogue box on your start menu and type "msconfig" (without the quotes). This will open the System Configuration Utility. Go to the BOOT.INI tab and select "Check All Boot Paths". You should get a dialogue box appearing with the message "It appears that all BOOT.INI lines for Microsoft operating systems are OK"

Restart your computer and you will note that the Windows Vista boot menu no longer exists and that only non-Windows Vista boot menu items are listed.

4. Should your primary operating system NOT be Windows XP, or where you have MORE THAN ONE instance of Windows Vista installed, it is strongly recommended that you use NEITHER the Dual-Boot Removal Method NOR the Multi-Boot Removal Method. In these circumstances, you are advised to post for assistance in our Windows Vista Chat & Support Forum where the Betas Team is available to give you the necessary advice and support.



ooooo ​


This Guide has been compiled and tested by the PROnetworks Betas Team.​

 
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boot.ini

meanman said:
hi i have had windows xp home and vista running on two diffrent hdds when i boot up i get a choice of which os to boot to ,
yesturday i decided i wanted to use the hdd that vista is on for storage so i formated it and got rid of vista but when i boot i still get the option to pick the os to boot to,
i need to get rid of this but i dont know how could someone please help
Click to expand...

First thing to do is to go to my computer,
Then type in the address tray ""c:\boot.ini"".
It should look like this.

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Windows Vista beta" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn

Select the sentence what contains the vista partition, then delete it.
Watch out what you do because if you do it wrong your computer wont boot.

Greetings
Jeffrey&Chris@ id college
 
Chrisjeffrey said:
First thing to do is to go to my computer,
Then type in the address tray ""c:\boot.ini"".
It should look like this.

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Windows Vista beta" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn

Select the sentence what contains the vista partition, then delete it.
Watch out what you do because if you do it wrong your computer wont boot.

Greetings
Jeffrey&Chris@ id college
Click to expand...

That will depend on the beta version that was installed apparently. If you look at the previous page of this thread you will see precisely what was seen in the boot.ini file when RC1 was dual booting with XP. At present the seocnd installation of RC1 is now separate on a second drive with Linux. All RC1 related files were removed from the primary by taking ownership when access denied messages appeared. Are you running the pre-RC1 release?
 
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