please help with message 'please select operating system to use ' when I boot

  • Thread starter Thread starter jlm
  • Start date Start date
J

jlm

I have a dell computer which I had to re formatted the hard drive using the disk xp home which came with the computer (restore disk)
after I installed the op-system (ntfs) I get a message please select operating system to use' a) xp home ..b) xp home
if I just stay put it will load the first choice and run fine. I only installed on op system on the computer and it installed
without any problems ..if I choose b it will bring up a error that there was something wrong and can't find any files.
but if I hit a it run fine..is there a way to fix the please select an operation system message.

thanks
JMoore
 
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.
Your boot.ini file should then look 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 XP Home Edition" /fastdetect

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

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

:

| I have a dell computer which I had to re formatted the hard drive using the disk xp home which came with the computer (restore
disk)
| after I installed the op-system (ntfs) I get a message please select operating system to use' a) xp home ..b) xp home
| if I just stay put it will load the first choice and run fine. I only installed on op system on the computer and it installed
| without any problems ..if I choose b it will bring up a error that there was something wrong and can't find any files.
| but if I hit a it run fine..is there a way to fix the please select an operation system message.
|
| thanks
| JMoore
 
Start - Control Panel - System.

in the dialog, click "Advanced" tab

in the "Adbanced" tab, click settings under "Startup and Recovery" section.

in the "System startup" section, click "Edit" button

you will see a text file that shows 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

and you may have a second line under default= ....
delete the second line. keep the default line because that is the system
that boots normally if you want for the timeout. You don't have to change
the timeout value if you only have one OS, if you have more than one the
timeout will automatically start the computer with the default system. I am
using Professional version but i think your should be similar (correct me if
I am wrong).

delete the second line in the [operating systems] as well, if there is one.

Save the file and restart.

Shawn
 
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