Are these two installations of Windows XP? Assuming "Yes", here are some
steps:
The example assumes that the existing installation is in the
\%SystemRoot%\Windows folder and that the new installation is in the
\%SystemRoot%\WinBAK folder.
1. Start a text editor (notepad.exe), and then open the Boot.ini file, which
is in the root directory.
2. Edit the file:
- Remove the line that contains the \WinBAK folder.
- Make sure that the default= line in the [boot loader] section ends with
\Windows.
For example, the Boot.ini file may look like this:
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINBAK
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINBAK="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\Windows="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional" /fastdetect
Edit the Boot.ini file so it looks 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
3. Save and then close the file. You might need to remove the read-only
attribute for the file in order to be able to save it. The option to
start in the old installation is now gone.
4. In Windows Explorer, make sure that no personal files remain in the
\%SystemRoot%\WinBAK folder.
5. Right-click the \%SystemRoot%\WINBAK folder, and then click Delete
to delete the folder.