windows xp

with all the probs i was having i decided to try and reinstall windows xp, but shortly into install i got a message saying file corrupt, and restarted my system. Now when the pc goes through its boot up, it gives me two options.
log onto windows xp
or windows xp installation (which it chooses by default)

anybody advise me on how to remove this partially installed o/s

 

surely someone knows the answer to this one.

 

Using a text editor open boot.ini and remove entry. The file is in your c root

 

only if the FS is FAT.. NTFS won't allow you to do this.

Make sure your CD isn't scratched at all. It sounds like you didn't wipe your drive out before you tried to install xp again?

 

nah he didn't it was me im ronnies daughter and i tried to fix it, didnt mean to install another copy on his pc, was meaning to copy it over the existing copy already there, but it didnt work, please tell me we can put this right, its not as if its causing any probs, its just a pain, cos it selecting the partial installation to log onto by default. sorry

 

I've done it on my XPPRO with a ntfs install. Had no problems.

 

you can't boot with a boot floppy (win98) or other and have access to an NTFS drive. no way, no how. If you installed the command console, then that's different.

 

kodo, just tell us how i can put this right for ronnie please

 

Yeah, that's the difference.

 

Wait a minute, I'm slightly confused... so does the XP installation actually boot? if it does, you can use msconfig to get rid of the entry in boot.ini.

If it doesnt boot.. thats a whole different story.

 

If it won't boot, try this, Method 2:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;315341

Then you can edit boot.ini once you get XP up and running.

 

when it boots up, i have to change the highlighted option to windows xp, as it highlights and chooses the second option of windows (partial installation) by default... if i change to the 1st option it boots up no probs. i just want to have the original installation of xp to choose from and get rid of the 2nd one

 

it boots up when i choose the original installation of window, so how do i get to the boot.ini to edit it?
from reading your link above, i realise the mistake, i wanted to repair, but i didnt boot up from the disk, i inserted the disk and let it run, and chose install windows, so i guess thats where i went wrong.

 

boot.ini is in C:\
Set explorer to show hidden files
Make a backup copy of it, call it boot.old or whatever just in case
Then use Notepad to edit boot.ini and remove the line in question
Be careful though, if it isn't edited correctly XP may not boot

 

Ive just read on MSKB

Removing an Operating System
At the command prompt, type:
bootcfg /delete /ID#

Where # specifies the boot entry ID that you want to be deleted from the operating systems section of the BOOT.INI file (e.g. 2 for the second Operating system that is listed.
Would this work? when pc boots up i get a message that says "Please select the operating system to start"
Microsoft WindowsXp Professional
Microsoft WindsowsXp Professional Setup

would i type bootcfg/delete /ID2?

 

Got a link to that article?

 

i found it on askjeeves. so i dont know if this link will work

http://www.ask.co.uk/ix.asp?q=how+d...com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q289022&adurl=

it does if you copy and paste it into your addy bar

 

I found it here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;289022&Product=winxp

If the option you want to delete is the 2nd one, then you're right,

bootcfg /delete /ID2

should work.

 

great stuff, will give it a go, if it dont work i will post back. i will make a restore point and copy of my boot.ini first if i can.

 

right, ive made a back up of my boot.ini
i then did the following
from cmd prompt typed bootcfg which gave me the attached screen view, but when i type bootcfg /delete /ID2 i get the second attached screen view,
can you help? am i typing it wrong.

 

Try putting a space between ID and 2:
bootcfg /delete /ID 2

If that doesn't work type in what it's suggesting for usage:
bootcfg /delete /?

 

ive tried it with a space, its still aint working, wots meant by the /?
so near yet so far

 

Please type this:

bootcfg /delete /?

and then post back what it says.

 

Try this:

and then delete that 'XP Setup' line.

 

done it attached screen view

 

there's supposed to be a space between the D and the 2 example...

ID_2 (no underscore '_' just denotes space).

 

Ok, this forum is really irritating (the actual software, not the people). Either way, ignore my above post. It would be much easier if you would just edit the file manually by following the instructions earlier to edit the boot.ini file manually.

Let's try this again...

Open "My Computer" and then on top in the menu section click "tools" then "folder options" when the folder options window opens click the "view" tab. When you are in the "view" section put the bullet (filled in dot) next to "Show hidden files and folders" and ALSO UNCHECK the part that says "Hide protected operating system files (REcommended)" then click "apply" at the bottom and then click "ok". Now, open "My Computer" again and click your "C:" drive and then find the file boot.ini listed in the C:\ drive. Double click it to open it in Notepad. Then copy and paste the full contents of the file into a reply to this post and we can tell you what to remove manually.

partie™

 

did that but its still appearing at boot up, although the windowsxp pro is now default and not the windowsxp pro setup as before.

 

did follow your instructions but failed to find the boot.ini folder, only had a copy of the one i prepared earlier, which i then deleted the 2nd entry on it, which is posted somewhere among these threads. windowsxp pro is now default with the windowsxp pro setup still being there.