Multiple Operating Systems

[plymouthguy]

I recently did a clean reinstall of windows XP. Now at startup, I get the
question "select the system you want to start" and there are two choices,
both exactly the same (Windows XP). I did not see anything unusual during
the partitioning/formatting process. My intent was to have a single
partition with a single O/S. Everything works but I would prefer not to
have to confront that question each time. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Don

 

[Mike Cawood, HND BIT]

I recently did a clean reinstall of windows XP. Now at startup, I get the
question "select the system you want to start" and there are two choices,
both exactly the same (Windows XP). I did not see anything unusual during
the partitioning/formatting process. My intent was to have a single
partition with a single O/S. Everything works but I would prefer not to
have to confront that question each time. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Don

Right click on My Computer
select Properties
Advanced tab
select Startup & Recovery settings
unselect Time to Display List of Operating Systems.
& select OK
This spooked me when I first had Win XP.
Mike.

 

[Guest]

I recently did a clean reinstall of windows XP. Now at startup, I get the
question "select the system you want to start" and there are two choices,
both exactly the same (Windows XP). I did not see anything unusual during
the partitioning/formatting process. My intent was to have a single
partition with a single O/S. Everything works but I would prefer not to
have to confront that question each time. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Don

What exactly you done, did you perform a repair/install and you Dual boot
the operating system with another copy or what exactly?.
Can you log into safe mode or any of the choices you given on the B&W?.
If you do and you have two operating system if I'm guessing right try this:
When logged in Right click " My Computer" Icon and select properties from
the drop down list.
Click on Advanced Tab then click on Settings Button under StartUp and
Recovery, then click on Edit and see what Line of operating system you want
to select, the final product should look like 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
Professional" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn

Note: Please don't perform the above if you are in doubt about it or it
doesn't describe your issue and write back with more Info.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/xpfaq.html#20
Best if you performed the installation again by deleting all the partitions
and create a new one (s) and install, read here:
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
HTH.
nass

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I recently did a clean reinstall of windows XP. Now at startup, I get the
question "select the system you want to start" and there are two choices,
both exactly the same (Windows XP). I did not see anything unusual during
the partitioning/formatting process. My intent was to have a single
partition with a single O/S. Everything works but I would prefer not to
have to confront that question each time. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,

That sounds very much that what you did was *not* a clean
installation, and you now have Windows installed twice.

Exactly how did you do this "clean" installation? Did you boot from
the Windows XP CD and follow the prompts for a clean installation
(delete the existing partition by pressing "D" when prompted, then
create a new one)?

 

[plymouthguy]

Thanks for thr responses. I am fairly certain I deleted all partitions and
formatted the entire hard drive. (The D for delete and the L to confirm).
If I did install two operating systems, would I be able to see that in
windows explorer. Mike's suggestion clears makes the startup question go
away but but I am curious what is really going on here.
Don

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

It's simply a relic in the "Boot.INI" file. Go to start/run and type:
sysdm.cpl
Open Advanced tab, "Startup and Recovery" Settings button, Edit button

My file looks like this

[boot loader]
timeout=5
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn

You are going to have two [operating systems] entries. Remove the unneeded
one, and be sure the 'default=' statement points at the right one. OK, and
restart Windows

--
Mark L. Ferguson
..

Thanks for thr responses. I am fairly certain I deleted all partitions
and formatted the entire hard drive. (The D for delete and the L to
confirm). If I did install two operating systems, would I be able to see
that in windows explorer. Mike's suggestion clears makes the startup
question go away but but I am curious what is really going on here.
Don