How do I fix a dual OS?

Ok I seem to have done something that I see other have done. But, I'm not understanding what the other treads are saying on how to fix it.

I tried to update my 1999 laptop with Win 2k pro to Win xp pro. Now I have two OS and I only want Win xp pro. I don't know how to get all my info from 2K over to XP and it's all just turned into a big mess!!

Please keep in mind that I have no CD/rw or floppy disks and I'm ADHD. So, Please type slowly and bare with me.

 

Thanks Tim,

I looked at that and I don't think it's what I need. I want to keep XP and off load 2K But, my XP is a blank slate with none of my files, docs, programs ect... that are in my 2K OS

 

I'm sorry Tim, I guess I should have said I don't know how to transfer any of my stuff from 2k to Xp either. I'm totalty in the dark about what I have done to myself here...lol HELP!

 

and why didn't it just update to XP instead of creating this whole mess?

 

yes I was in 2k and just put in the XP cd and let it auto run. I take it that was the wrong thing to do?...lol

 

So if I do this stuff I shouldn't lose any of my personal data in 2k right?

 

I don't remember if I did or not

 

and when i do what you first said should it bring all my personal data from 2k to xp just like a normal update?

 

Are you still there Tim?

and when i do what you said to do first, should it bring all my personal data from 2k to xp just like a normal update?

 

ok I tried the things Tim told me to do and none of them worked. The only thing I have been able to do is get it to boot to 2K first. But, I still have a dual OS and I only want XP. All I want/need is all of my personal data ie: my docs, programs ext.. transfered into win XP and then I want to get rid of 2K and only use XP. Someone please help meeeeee!!

 

Oh hi it's you!!

No I don't get an upgrade option It just asks my about partitions and stuff like that and I'm to unskilled with that stuff to even mess with it.

 

yes I was but there was no update option

 

ok I tried the info given here http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showpost.php?p=1057782&postcount=1 and it never showed me the edit option. so I was never able to get to the boot.ini section

 

yes I do have the drop down window and I set it to boot to 2K. I just went back in and noticed that there was a box checked hat said "Display list of OS for 30 secs" I unchecked it and rebooted. It now goes strait into 2K when it boots with no options to select first.

 

ok back in a few

 

ok nothing!! I hit install and I didn't get an option to update. only to repair the already installed version of xp and I think thats because when it asks for the second disk it tries to find D:\i386 but it cant locate it on the disk and when I browsed the CD theres a folder named i386 but theres nothing in there. So we are pretty much right where we started.

 

did I lose my help?

 

hi,

maybe this will help, its the setup sequence,

boot from cd and follow these instructions,

-------------------------------------------

setup is inspecting your hardware......... - black screen

loading files - blue screen

press F8 to agree to the licence

press enter

press 'c'

make sure

leave the current file system intact (no changes)

is highlighted, if not use the up or down arrow and press enter


let it examine the disk and copy files

let it reboot, but don't take the cd out and don't boot from cd again

upon reboot there will be 2 boot options - it should automatically boot into xp and continue setup


when xp has started properly you will find your files under the administrator account in c/documents and settings,

note - you will not have the windows folder it will still be winnt

i've just converted w2k to xp pro

 

What about the problem with it asking me to insert CD 2 and it not being able to find i386 on the disk?

 

is it an origional xp disk with a holographic label ?

i have a single disk with i386 which i just did the convert with

 

these are the contents of my disk

 

It's an original xp holographic label. It is windows xp media center version.

 

thats the problem,

xp media center or xp home will not upgrade w2k, only xp proffesional will

 

Ok thats good to know. So how in the bejesus do I get rid of it now?..lol

 

And where can I get a copy of XP pro cause it dosn't look like i can just go to staples and buy it anymore.

 

Newegg.com still sells it. Here's a link to an XP Pro Upgrade Retail version:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16837116196

 

hi,

staples, i think, is a uk retailer, so i guess you are in the uk,
you could try microdirect

http://www.microdirect.co.uk/(15469)Microsoft-Windows-XP-Pro-oem-WINDOWSKEY-IS.aspx

or ebuyer

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/147420

you can order over the phone and have it delivered

or you can get the upgrade from ebuyer (if you are a teacher/student confused)

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/65802

 

Staples may be in the UK, but I know it's in the USA.

 

Thanks Hawk, I am in the US though. Idaho is more like hell then the UK

Does anyone know how I can get XP Media off my laptop untill I can get xp pro?

 

how is it installed ?,
do you have 2 partitions ?

 

Yes I belive I do have 2 partitions

 

right,

should be easy thenrolleyes

boot into win2k and open my computer,
find the 'suspected xp' partition - open it to check,
if its the right partition, then make a mental note of the assigned letter,
exit all to your desktop

right click 'my computer'
choose 'manage' from the options
in the window that opens, click on the + (plus) next to 'storage'
click on 'disk management'
right click on the partition with the assigned letter,
choose 'delete partition...'
ok all the prompts

this will delete xp

now your boot.ini needs to be edited by following this guide

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=142511

your boot.ini should look something like mine,

let me know how you get on

 

and you thought it would be easy and you would be rid of me, NOT SO MUCH!.:-D

Where do I find the 'suspected xp' partition? whats it called? and what part of "my computer" do I look in?

 

ok all I see in there is

volume Layout Type File System Status Capacity
(c: ) partition Basic NTFS Healthy (System) 18.63 GB


What does all that mean? :confused