RUNNING WINDOWS SETUP WHEN BOOTING

[Miamimario]

My problem is that Windows XP home edition is always booting to a screen that
gives me the option of either loading Windows XP or loading Windows Setup,
but the default is Windows Setup, and it invariably leads a few seconds later
to the Blue Screen of Death....
How do I change the default so that the booting process will choose to load
Windows XP instead of Windows Setup?
Thanks.
Miamimario

 

[John John - MVP]

My problem is that Windows XP home edition is always booting to a screen that
gives me the option of either loading Windows XP or loading Windows Setup,
but the default is Windows Setup, and it invariably leads a few seconds later
to the Blue Screen of Death....
How do I change the default so that the booting process will choose to load
Windows XP instead of Windows Setup?

Run the MSConfig (System Configuration Utility) and under the Boot.ini
tab have it check for and remove invalid boot paths. If the utility
can't do it post again and include the contents of your boot.ini file
with your post and someone will tell you how to edit the file.

John

 

[Miamimario]

Thanks.

I tried the first part of your instructions and the system tells me that the
booting instructions seem to be ok.

How do I copy the contents of the boot.ini file (which I can see on the
screen) so as to be able to post it so that someone can tell me how to edit
the file?

Thanks,

 

[JS]

Is this a new install of Windows?

 

[Miamimario]

No. It has worked fine for over two years.

The only recent thing was to install a new APC Battery Backup system.

 

[John John - MVP]

The boot.ini file can be opened with Notepad. If you are unfamiliar
with the file and want the easy way to fix your problem you can change
the default boot via the System Properties Startup and Recovery options:

Right click on My Computer and select Properties. Click on the Advanced
tab and then on the Settings button. At the top you will see the
Default operating system box where you can make the change.

If you want to learn about the boot.ini file and how to edit it manually
enter (copy & paste) this in the Start menu Run box:

notepad %systemdrive%\boot.ini

This will open the file in Notepad. You can then copy the contents and
post it to your next reply.

John

 

[JS]

Please post contents of the boot.ini file
located in C:\

 

[Miamimario]

OK.

I followed your first instructions and changed the setting on the Default
Operating System Screen from Setup to Windows Home Edition.

Later on today I am going to reboot and will let you know how it turns out.

Thanks a million.

Miamimario

 

[Jose]

My problem is that Windows XP home edition is always booting to a screen that
gives me the option of either loading Windows XP or loading Windows Setup,
but the default is Windows Setup, and it invariably leads a few seconds later
to the Blue Screen of Death....
How do I change the default so that the booting process will choose to load
Windows XP instead of Windows Setup?
Thanks.
Miamimario

What does the message at boot up say exactly?

As you can see, without specific details you will generate only
guesses as to the nature and possible resolution of your problem.

If Windows is/was already installed and setup, it doesn't make sense
to choose Windows Setup.

If you are able to change the offering from load Windows Setup to load
Windows XP what happens?

When and why do you think this problem began?

Do you have access to a bootable XP installation CD in case you need
one?

You can't copy and paste from MSCONFIG.

The boot.ini is a hidden system file, so from Windows Explorer
navigate to Local Disk (C, click Tools, Folder options, select Show
hidden files and folders and uncheck Hide extensions for known file
types.

Right click the boot.ini file, Open with Notepad, select and copy all
the text and paste it here. Close the file with no changes.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

My problem is that Windows XP home edition is always booting to a screen that
gives me the option of either loading Windows XP or loading Windows Setup,
but the default is Windows Setup, and it invariably leads a few seconds later
to the Blue Screen of Death....
How do I change the default so that the booting process will choose to load
Windows XP instead of Windows Setup?
Thanks.
Miamimario

Graphically:

From within WinXP, Start > Run > Msconfig, Boot.ini Tab > "Check
all Boot Paths."

Manually:

1) Click Start > Run, Type "Cmd" and then press <Enter>.

2) Type "Cd\" and then press <Enter>

3) Type "Attrib C:\Boot.ini -h -r -s" and then press <Enter>

4) Click Start > Run, Type "Notepad c:\boot.ini" and then press <Enter>

5) Edit the file to removed the extraneous line, save it, and then exit
Notepad.

6) Type "Attrib C:\Boot.ini +h +r +s" and then press <Enter>

7) Close the command console.



--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot