XP Not listed on startup screen

Copied hard drive to a larger one, couldn't get win 2k to work right. Installed XP Pro, which worked OK for a while, then would not display the XP OS on the menu at boot. Accidently found that it will display the XP system (and boot normally) if sees the install CD is in the CD player. How to fix?

 

Sounds like you need to check your Boot.ini file. Right Click My Computer, select Properties. Select the Advanced Tab and click Startup and Recovery. See if both OS's are listed.

 

Checked boot.ini file already, both are listed there with XP as default.

 

Hi dataguy
Could you copy and paste the contents of your "boot.ini"?

 

I think the boot process might be pointing to the previous boot file from Win 2K, but I don't know just how to fix the problem. I installed XP in the C:\WINXP directory, and 2K is installed in C:\WINDOWS. I don't want to do anything drastic like reformating at this point since I have spent a lot of time getting programs up and running since installing XP. I can handle a registry edit if I know what to look for.

 

Here is the copy & paste from the Startup and Recovery edit screen:

[boot loader]
timeout=10
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINXP
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINXP="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect
rem: multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional" /fastdetect
C:\=MS-DOS

 

I wonder if the loader would be happier if the "rem" statement was removed? Then, with more than one valid choice, the selection menu might be displayed.

 

I put the "rem" in after I started having trouble.

 

I've tried numerous things to try to duplicate your problem. Even with totally invalid entries the menu would still appear. Except in one case, however. If the "boot.ini" file is not in the same folder as "ntldr" then the Windows OS will grab the boot information from the MBR and boot without the menu. In my installation I have "boot.ini" and "ntldr" in my C:\ root folder.

 

In a search I can only find ntldr in the C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles\i386 folder, and boot.ini.backup is in the C:\WINXP\pss folder (as well as a different one in C:\WINDOWS\pss). Folder options are set to view hidden and system files. No file called boot.ini is visible in the search, or by looking for it manually, only the one with .backup in the filename. Is it possible that the file is where it is supposed to be but I can't see it?

 

It is OK to put a copy of ntldr from C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles\i386 along with your boot.ini in the C:\ folder. For completeness, also copy NTDETECT.COM from C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles\i386 to C:\ . That should allow your menu to work.

 

Thanks, I'll give it a try after I finish the Bulletin and Powerpoint projects for church. Don't want to take a chance on not being able to boot until I finish these projects. I really appreciate your taking time to help.

 

Copied the three files (ntldr, boot.ini, NTDETECT.COM) TO c:\ and rebooted. System is still bringing up the old boot list from somewhere, I think that is the problem but don't know where it is finding it.
Put the XP install cd in the drive and the correct list comes up, boots fine. I am using it now. Take the cd out of the drive, and the old boot menu comes up. The boot.ini files that I find on the computer are listed as backup files, even though the name is boot.ini. Could it be that the file that the computer is booting from has a different filename that is not showing up on the search?

 

Dataguy - You may me onto something. According to a Microsoft TechNet Document, the boot code is loaded from the first drive's "active" primary partition. This "active" partition could be any primary partition up to a maximum of 4 primary partitions on each disk drive. It's a long shot, but there exists the possibility that your (C: ) partition is NOT the "active" partition. Even if "Windows" doesn't "see" another partition in Explorer it may be hidden. So verify it in the disk management console:
Start->Run diskmgmt.msc. Right-click on the blue bar just above the (C: )
You should see a list of choices:
________________________________

Open
Explore
________________________________

Mark Partition Active
Change Drive Letter and Path ...
Format...
________________________________

Delete Partition
________________________________

Properties
________________________________

Help
________________________________
Select "Mark Partition Active" if you can. If it's grayed out then it's already active, and we've made no gain. However, for a little extra insight into the Microsoft boot process, check out this TechNet link:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/reskit/c29621675.mspx

 

Ran diskmgmt.msc, "C" is already active.
Thanks for the website info. I have ordered the XP Professional Resource Kit, Second Edition. Found one new for $32.50 plus $14.50 shipping.
Any more good ideas?

 

C:\=MS-Dos gives the option of starting the computer with only a C:\ prompt for executing dos commands.
XP was installed on this partition after Win2000 started giving trouble. I remarked 2K out in the boot.ini file to see if it would help startup locate the XP OS.

 

Hi Dataguy.
Man - this one's had me doing some reading! But "it's all good", as I've learned umpteen bit's and pieces about the boot process. I was also relieved to purge a few tidbits of misinformation from the old memory bank while adding new, good information.
We talked about some missing files from your boot drive's root directory. I've discovered 3 other files - (all of them system, hidden, read-only ) that seem to be necessary. Namely: ARCLDR.EXE, ARCSETUP.EXE and CMLDR. Beyond this, I have no clue. Typically, when you add anything at all to the boot.ini file you will get a menu. I've added - C:\qwerty.bin="Silly Rabbit" and up pops the menu.