Multi-boot?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Anders F
  • Start date Start date
A

Anders F

I have made a complete new installation of my XP Pro but the
system does not behave as before. It is more of a nuisance then
a problem but every time I boot I have to select between two
Microsoft Windows XP Professional systems (if I let it time-out
it boots OK from the first system). I suppose that the second
boots from the CD-reader because if I try it I get the message:
Windows could not start because of a computer disk hardware
problem ... (nothing in the CD-slot)

How do I make the computer start directly from the hard disk?
I tried to go into BIOS and remove the check mark in front of
the CD-unit but it did not change anything?

I do not remember all steps when installing but I can not say I
had any problems. Maybe I selected an option too much
somewhere.

Thanks for any answer
Anders
 
Anders said:
I have made a complete new installation of my XP Pro but the
system does not behave as before. It is more of a nuisance then
a problem but every time I boot I have to select between two
Microsoft Windows XP Professional systems (if I let it time-out
it boots OK from the first system). I suppose that the second
boots from the CD-reader because if I try it I get the message:
Windows could not start because of a computer disk hardware
problem ... (nothing in the CD-slot)

How do I make the computer start directly from the hard disk?
I tried to go into BIOS and remove the check mark in front of
the CD-unit but it did not change anything?

I do not remember all steps when installing but I can not say I
had any problems. Maybe I selected an option too much
somewhere.
Click to expand...


Google for:

edit boot.ini in Windows XP

And follow the directions found.
 
Go to Start > Run and type: MSCONFIG , and hit enter.
Click on the BOOT.INI tab and then click on "Check All Boot Paths"
to delete incorrect boot paths.

If the above does not work for you, then:

Right-click MY COMPUTER and select:

Properties > Advanced > Startup and Recovery Settings > Edit

CAREFULLY edit your boot.ini file to remove the SECOND entry.
Your boot.ini file should then read similar to this:

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


--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User

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

:

| I have made a complete new installation of my XP Pro but the
| system does not behave as before. It is more of a nuisance then
| a problem but every time I boot I have to select between two
| Microsoft Windows XP Professional systems (if I let it time-out
| it boots OK from the first system). I suppose that the second
| boots from the CD-reader because if I try it I get the message:
| Windows could not start because of a computer disk hardware
| problem ... (nothing in the CD-slot)
|
| How do I make the computer start directly from the hard disk?
| I tried to go into BIOS and remove the check mark in front of
| the CD-unit but it did not change anything?
|
| I do not remember all steps when installing but I can not say I
| had any problems. Maybe I selected an option too much
| somewhere.
|
| Thanks for any answer
| Anders
 
Replied to [Anders F]s message :
-----------------------------------------------------------
every time I boot I have to select between two
Microsoft Windows XP Professional systems (if I let it time-out
it boots OK from the first system). I suppose that the second
boots from the CD-reader How do I make the computer start directly from the hard
disk?
Click to expand...

Here are 2 ways :

1. Start > Run
Type msconfig > Click OK
Go to "BOOT.INI" tab
Click the button "Check all boot paths"
Follow the instructions to remove the invalid line.

2. Click Start > Run
Type "notepad \boot.ini" (Without quotes) > Click OK
Click on "Format" menu and untick "Word wrap"
Now remove the line below [operating system] section
that doesn't start with the text that is after "default="
Click File - Save


As a precaution, no matter which step you choose, run the first step again.
 
Carey Frisch said:
CAREFULLY edit your boot.ini file to remove the SECOND entry.
Your boot.ini file should then read similar to this:

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows Professional" /fastdetect
Click to expand...


You keep making the same mistake over and over again, Carey!
That "rdisk(1)" should be in almost ALL systems "rdisk(0)".
"rdisk(0)" refers to the hard drive at the head of the BIOS's hard
drive boot order. For most BIOSes, the default head of the HD
boot order is the Master HD on IDE channel 0.

If your boot.ini file refers to "rdisk(1)", it's because your BIOS
has the HD containing the OS as the SECOND hard drive in the
BIOS's HD boot order. IOW, you're
1) booting the OS from the Slave HD on IDE channel 0, or
2) if the Slave on IDE ch. 0 is not a hard drive, you're booting
from the Master on IDE ch. 1, or
3) you've manually told the BIOS to put the HD containing the OS
SECOND in the HD boot order. IOW, your system is non-standard
in that its boot files are in one HD and the OS is in another HD,
and your boot.ini example doesn't apply to the great majority of
posters here.

Please correct your standard reply on boot.ini editing problems
to read:

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

*TimDaniels*
 
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