help with editing boot.ini

DJ · Apr 21, 2004

Could someone point me in the right direction to find, how to edit my
boot.ini file to recognize 2 Windows XP Home OS, on two separate hard
drives? I have been able to find information on editing it with two
different versions (95, 98, 2000, ME, etc) but not with two Win XP.
Thanks,
Donna J.

Darren Hook [MSFT] · Apr 21, 2004

289022.KB.EN-US HOW TO: Edit the Boot.ini File in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;289022

--
Darren Hook
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft PSS

Please do not send email directly to this alias. This alias is for
newsgroup purposes only.

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

roger · Apr 21, 2004

Hi DJ,

Could someone point me in the right direction to find, how to edit my
boot.ini file to recognize 2 Windows XP Home OS, on two separate hard
drives? I have been able to find information on editing it with two
different versions (95, 98, 2000, ME, etc) but not with two Win XP.
Thanks,
Donna J.

Here's my boot.ini, I have two XP in different partitions in the same
harddrive:

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional 1" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional 2" /fastdetect

The one in partition(1) is the original in C. Observe that the value
of rdisk is 0 in both because it is the same harddrive.
Partition(3) corresponds to the E partition in the sole harddrive.

Good luck, hope this helps

DJ · Apr 21, 2004

Darren
Thanks so much, will check the article out. I thought I searched
everywhere.

Thanks again
Donna J.

DJ · Apr 21, 2004

Roger
This will really make it a lot easier to edit. below is how I had edited
it according to an article on Kelly's-Korner. But that was two different
versions, I just changed the version name. Well that didn't work. Also,
timeout=3 should it be timeout=30 ?

Thanks,
Donna J.

[boot loader]
timeout=3
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(1)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect

roger said:
Hi DJ,

Could someone point me in the right direction to find, how to edit my
boot.ini file to recognize 2 Windows XP Home OS, on two separate hard
drives? I have been able to find information on editing it with two
different versions (95, 98, 2000, ME, etc) but not with two Win XP.
Thanks,
Donna J.

Click to expand...

Here's my boot.ini, I have two XP in different partitions in the same
harddrive:

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional 1" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional 2" /fastdetect

The one in partition(1) is the original in C. Observe that the value
of rdisk is 0 in both because it is the same harddrive.
Partition(3) corresponds to the E partition in the sole harddrive.

Good luck, hope this helps

roger · Apr 21, 2004

Donna J,

Timeout should be 30 so you have time (30 seconds) to choose between
the systems.

Also the second line might need to be changed according to the
configuration of your harddisk. Do you have the second XP on the C:
partition of your second harddrive?

If so change the second line to:
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect

If you have it in the D partition then put partition(2)
if you have it in the E partition then put partition(3)

Good luck

roger said:
Roger
This will really make it a lot easier to edit. below is how I had edited
it according to an article on Kelly's-Korner. But that was two different
versions, I just changed the version name. Well that didn't work. Also,
timeout=3 should it be timeout=30 ?

Thanks,
Donna J.

[boot loader]
timeout=3
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(1)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect

roger said:

Hi DJ,

Could someone point me in the right direction to find, how to edit my
boot.ini file to recognize 2 Windows XP Home OS, on two separate hard
drives? I have been able to find information on editing it with two
different versions (95, 98, 2000, ME, etc) but not with two Win XP.
Thanks,
Donna J.

Click to expand...

Here's my boot.ini, I have two XP in different partitions in the same
harddrive:

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional 1" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional 2" /fastdetect

The one in partition(1) is the original in C. Observe that the value
of rdisk is 0 in both because it is the same harddrive.
Partition(3) corresponds to the E partition in the sole harddrive.

Good luck, hope this helps

Click to expand...

Will Denny · Apr 21, 2004

DJ · Apr 22, 2004

Hi Roger
Oh OK, that's why it would flash by me before I could even blink, let
alone think about what to chose from. 30 sounds better for me too.
This is what my boot.ini looked like when I first set the new hard drive
up. It never did work right. Then I made some changes, following the info on
Kelly's Korner page.

[boot loader]
timeout=3
default=signature(1)disk(1)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
signature(1)disk(1)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect

My original hard drive is C:, but I would like to use the new hard drive
as C: and the old one as E:. Would like to keep the D: for my CD writer. So
does this look right to you? This can be really confusing.

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition 3" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition 1" /fastdetect

Thanks for the help,
Donna J.

roger said:
Donna J,

Timeout should be 30 so you have time (30 seconds) to choose between
the systems.

Also the second line might need to be changed according to the
configuration of your harddisk. Do you have the second XP on the C:
partition of your second harddrive?

If so change the second line to:
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect

If you have it in the D partition then put partition(2)
if you have it in the E partition then put partition(3)

Good luck

Roger
This will really make it a lot easier to edit. below is how I had edited
it according to an article on Kelly's-Korner. But that was two different
versions, I just changed the version name. Well that didn't work. Also,
timeout=3 should it be timeout=30 ?

Thanks,
Donna J.

[boot loader]
timeout=3
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(1)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect

roger said:

Hi DJ,

Could someone point me in the right direction to find, how to edit my
boot.ini file to recognize 2 Windows XP Home OS, on two separate hard
drives? I have been able to find information on editing it with two
different versions (95, 98, 2000, ME, etc) but not with two Win XP.
Thanks,
Donna J.

Here's my boot.ini, I have two XP in different partitions in the same
harddrive:

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional 1" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional 2" /fastdetect

The one in partition(1) is the original in C. Observe that the value
of rdisk is 0 in both because it is the same harddrive.
Partition(3) corresponds to the E partition in the sole harddrive.

Good luck, hope this helps

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

DJ · Apr 22, 2004

roger · Apr 22, 2004

Hi Donna,

Hi Roger
Oh OK, that's why it would flash by me before I could even blink, let
alone think about what to chose from. 30 sounds better for me too.
This is what my boot.ini looked like when I first set the new hard drive
up. It never did work right. Then I made some changes, following the info on
Kelly's Korner page.

[boot loader]
timeout=3
default=signature(1)disk(1)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
signature(1)disk(1)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect

My original hard drive is C:, but I would like to use the new hard drive
as C: and the old one as E:. Would like to keep the D: for my CD writer. So
does this look right to you? This can be really confusing.

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition 3" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition 1" /fastdetect

I would suggest putting the first line at default, so you can always
boot to the C partition in disk 1

I don't think you can handle harddrives as partitions, that is,
harddrive 0 as C and harddrive 1 as E. The harddrives themselves are
divided in partitions: harddrive 1 could have partitions C, D and E

It seems disk() refers to the harddisk number, try this:

[boot loader]
timeout=30

roger said:
default=signature(1)disk(1)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
signature(1)disk(1)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect
Thanks for the help,
Donna J.

roger said:

Donna J,

Timeout should be 30 so you have time (30 seconds) to choose between
the systems.

Also the second line might need to be changed according to the
configuration of your harddisk. Do you have the second XP on the C:
partition of your second harddrive?

If so change the second line to:
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect

If you have it in the D partition then put partition(2)
if you have it in the E partition then put partition(3)

Good luck

Roger
This will really make it a lot easier to edit. below is how I had edited
it according to an article on Kelly's-Korner. But that was two different
versions, I just changed the version name. Well that didn't work. Also,
timeout=3 should it be timeout=30 ?

Thanks,
Donna J.

[boot loader]
timeout=3
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(1)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect

Hi DJ,

Could someone point me in the right direction to find, how to edit my
boot.ini file to recognize 2 Windows XP Home OS, on two separate hard
drives? I have been able to find information on editing it with two
different versions (95, 98, 2000, ME, etc) but not with two Win XP.
Thanks,
Donna J.

Here's my boot.ini, I have two XP in different partitions in the same
harddrive:

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional 1" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional 2" /fastdetect

The one in partition(1) is the original in C. Observe that the value
of rdisk is 0 in both because it is the same harddrive.
Partition(3) corresponds to the E partition in the sole harddrive.

Good luck, hope this helps

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

roger · Apr 22, 2004

Hi Donna,

Last message was sent before it was ready, sorry.

It seems disk() refers to the harddisk number, try 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 Home
Edition 1" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(1)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect

This sets the default on the first disk, first partition (C)
The other operating system is in the second disk, first partition (C)

Take a look here:

Available switch options for the Windows XP and the Windows Server
2003 Boot.ini files
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;833721

Though it sounds very confusing, there might be an option that could
help you.

If you can access the Recovery console, try the command:

bootconfg /? and see the available options.

When you get a working boot, try to save it to a floppy for reference.

HTH

roger · Apr 22, 2004

Hi Donna,

You can also try 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 Home
Edition 1" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect

The first line <---------- (first disk, first partition, set as
default)
The second line <--------- (second disk, first partition) If you
have the second system in a partition different than C, then try
partition(2) for D, partition(3) for E, etc.

HTH

DJ · Apr 22, 2004

Hi Roger,
Can't tell you how much I appreciate this.
I found the bootcfg and then bootcfg /rebuild on my Windows XP CD. So I
was able to get the boot.ini set up. Listed below is the new boot.ini file.

[boot loader]
timeout=20
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 1" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition 2" /fastdetect

The #1 is my C:\ drive on the original hard drive. The number "1" was
placed there during the bootcfg /rebuild. So I went ahead and added a #2 on
the next line, also my timeout, I chose 20 seconds which is plenty time. The
#2 drive is coming up as E:\ I wouldn't mind that but then everything is
rearranged. My D:\ drive is no longer the cd rewriter drive.
Question, can I rename the cd rewriter drive to another letter so the
order of the drives are the same no matter which one I boot up too. Am I
making any sense?
Like this:
C:\ original 40 GB hard drive (system)
D:\ new 120 GB hard drive (system)
E:\
F:\
G:\
H:\
S:\ cd-rewriter drive (since it's a Sony I picked "S" ) :-)

I will check out your link.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;833721 , even though
it can be confusing. I do need to learn all this, don't I?

Thanks so much,
Donna J.

roger said:
Hi Donna,

You can also try 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 Home
Edition 1" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect

The first line <---------- (first disk, first partition, set as
default)
The second line <--------- (second disk, first partition) If you
have the second system in a partition different than C, then try
partition(2) for D, partition(3) for E, etc.

HTH

Hi Donna,

Last message was sent before it was ready, sorry.

It seems disk() refers to the harddisk number, try 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 Home
Edition 1" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(1)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect

This sets the default on the first disk, first partition (C)
The other operating system is in the second disk, first partition (C)

Take a look here:

Available switch options for the Windows XP and the Windows Server
2003 Boot.ini files
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;833721

Though it sounds very confusing, there might be an option that could
help you.

If you can access the Recovery console, try the command:

bootconfg /? and see the available options.

When you get a working boot, try to save it to a floppy for reference.

HTH

Click to expand...

roger · Apr 22, 2004

Hi Donna,

You're welcome, I appreciate your feedback a lot. Comments inline.

Hi Roger,
Can't tell you how much I appreciate this.
I found the bootcfg and then bootcfg /rebuild on my Windows XP CD. So I
was able to get the boot.ini set up. Listed below is the new boot.ini file.

[boot loader]
timeout=20
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 1" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition 2" /fastdetect

The #1 is my C:\ drive on the original hard drive. The number "1" was
placed there during the bootcfg /rebuild. So I went ahead and added a #2 on
the next line, also my timeout, I chose 20 seconds which is plenty time. The
#2 drive is coming up as E:\ I wouldn't mind that but then everything is
rearranged. My D:\ drive is no longer the cd rewriter drive.
Question, can I rename the cd rewriter drive to another letter so the
order of the drives are the same no matter which one I boot up too. Am I
making any sense?
Like this:
C:\ original 40 GB hard drive (system)
D:\ new 120 GB hard drive (system)
E:\
F:\
G:\
H:\
S:\ cd-rewriter drive (since it's a Sony I picked "S" )

You can go to Start > Run > diskmgmt.msc
Right-click on the CD-RW drive and choose to change letter, there will
be a dropdown list from E to Z and you can select S, click accept.

I would suggest you do this from both your systems so the CD-RW drive
appears as S in both.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;833721 , even though
it can be confusing. I do need to learn all this, don't I?

Not necessarily. Just keep the link handy in case you ever have to do
some troubleshooting :-)

Good luck

DJ · Apr 22, 2004

Hi Roger,
Well I appreciate your replies also.
I made the change to the D:\ drive, will change the others accordingly.
Have a great day and thanks again.
Donna J.

roger said:
Hi Donna,

You're welcome, I appreciate your feedback a lot. Comments inline.

Hi Roger,
Can't tell you how much I appreciate this.
I found the bootcfg and then bootcfg /rebuild on my Windows XP CD. So I
was able to get the boot.ini set up. Listed below is the new boot.ini file.

[boot loader]
timeout=20
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 1" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition 2" /fastdetect

The #1 is my C:\ drive on the original hard drive. The number "1" was
placed there during the bootcfg /rebuild. So I went ahead and added a #2 on
the next line, also my timeout, I chose 20 seconds which is plenty time. The
#2 drive is coming up as E:\ I wouldn't mind that but then everything is
rearranged. My D:\ drive is no longer the cd rewriter drive.
Question, can I rename the cd rewriter drive to another letter so the
order of the drives are the same no matter which one I boot up too. Am I
making any sense?
Like this:
C:\ original 40 GB hard drive (system)
D:\ new 120 GB hard drive (system)
E:\
F:\
G:\
H:\
S:\ cd-rewriter drive (since it's a Sony I picked "S" )

Click to expand...

You can go to Start > Run > diskmgmt.msc
Right-click on the CD-RW drive and choose to change letter, there will
be a dropdown list from E to Z and you can select S, click accept.

I would suggest you do this from both your systems so the CD-RW drive
appears as S in both.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;833721 , even though
it can be confusing. I do need to learn all this, don't I?

Click to expand...

Not necessarily. Just keep the link handy in case you ever have to do
some troubleshooting

Good luck

help with editing boot.ini

DJ

Darren Hook [MSFT]

roger

DJ

DJ

roger

Will Denny

DJ

DJ

roger

roger

roger

DJ

roger

DJ