multiple boot disks?

[mc]

hello
I just posted this on symantecs group and dell...

Hello
just installed Norton sys works and was wondering what the window meant that
said my computer had multiple boot disks and could not install Go Back. What
does it mean? I have one disk with one operating system.
My boot screen does show 2 choices(same) though...for what reason I do not
know! Ihave a dell inspiron 8200 with xp home.
thanks mc

 

[Maurice N ~ MVP]

(to be sure to see all folders)
Check the Windows Explorer "View" options --- set it to show you all folders; all system folders; & hidden files.
Bring up Windows Explorer / Tools / Folder Options/ select VIEW Tab and look at all of settings listed.

"CHECK" (turn on) Display the contents of system folders.

Under column, Hidden files and folders----choose ( *select* ) Show hidden files and folders.
Next, un-check Hide extensions for known file types.
Next un-check Hide protected operating system files.

Look at the contents of your Boot.ini file located in the root of C: drive
Use Notepad to view it's contents.
Make a copy & post back here.

 

[mc]

Thanks Maurice
here is what I see...
mc

[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" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect

 

[Maurice N ~ MVP]

Good morning, mc.

The contents of this Boot.ini do indeed 'indicate' that there are two Windows installations. That's to say, based just on this file & what it lists, there's "an" indication there "may" or "should" be two Windows setups.
The first, on the first partition of the first hard drive. The second, on the second partition. (Note the values after "partition" ! )

Do you remember if you (or someone else) may have run another setup or possibly attempted a repair of Windows ?

HIGHLY Recommend: Make yourself a "save diskette / emergency XP boot" diskette, now !
How to Use System Files to Create a Boot Disk to Guard Against Being Unable to Start Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314079/

Put a label on it. Put diskette aside & in a safe place.

mc, kindly reply with your experience level on doing some repairs. There's no chiding at all as far as your level goes. I only want to have you do the fix safely.

One suggestion is for you to use XP's Recovery Console and run BOOTCFG.

To get to the XP Recovery Console:
Set pc BIOS boot sequence to boot first from CDROM. Boot from XP CD. Get
into Recovery Console. It is the second option line on the XP CD main menu:
it will say (on screen Welcome To Setup) :
"To repair a Windows XP installation using "Recovery Console" press R .

Select your Windows XP partition by number. (Jot down the partition numbers displayed. Typically, it is partition 1. Login to XP with administrator password. (Yours may be blank. If true, press the enter-key at that prompt.)

The Boot.ini can be rebuilt (repaired) by using BOOTCFG command from the XP Recovery Console.
To save the old 'boot.ini' first, you first run "bootcfg /copy".

Running "bootcfg /rebuild" rebuilds the BOOT.INI .

Exit the Recovery Console and then see if you can get back into XP.

References for Recovery Console:
Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console - Article ID 314058
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314058/

HOW TO: Install and Use the Recovery Console for Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307654/

Post back with progress or any questions.

 

[mc]

Maurice, 2 years ago I wiped the drive clean and the small partition that
dell installs at the factory. I then followed their install instructions
they sent from the web.
thats all I remember, ...just one re-install.
However a dell tech worked on my laptop a few months ago when I was not
there to replace the fans....
I'll look at your instructions and when a brave moment hits me I'll give it
a try..
mc

 

[mc]

Maurice, I tried the repair but after running the bootcfg /rebuild it asks
3 questions...
add to boot list
add load identifier
add OS options

I did not know what to do here, so nothing changed in boot.ini?
mc

 

[mc]

Actually I think I made it worse, it added aline to boot.ini

[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=""
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect

 

[mc]

Maurice I tried using msconfig; 'check all paths'(deleted one line) but
when I rebooted I received a utility window that said I was in selective
boot mode. So i used msconfig again and checked 'normal' under the general
tab to put things back tothe way it shows in the previous post.
Any other methods of repair?
mc

 

[mc]

Maurice does this lool like it will work?
I googled boot.ini
and found these commands
1. Type: attrib -h -r -s C:\boot.ini del C:\boot.ini

2. Type: BootCfg /Rebuild

from this site

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

 

[Maurice N ~ MVP]

Yes.