What does Windows boot from?

  • Thread starter Thread starter What-a-Tool
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What-a-Tool

Just installed XP Pro on a PC. Did a clean install - everything went smooth
and easy.
Did something stupid afterwards though...
Rather than partitioning my HD during the XP install, I used some other
software for the task, after the install. This software is actually designed
for running multiple operating systems. Have used it before and not had a
problem. Didn't, however, make the sys backup disks as recomended. (I know
dumb-dumb-dumb) .

After un-installing this software, I now have 2 problems:
1) During boot up, the computer stops at a prompt asking which
partition to boot to. (Also warns that a file is missing, which was part of
the partitioning software package) Easy enough - enter 0 and everything runs
normally from there. Problem is, its not my computer, and I would like to
get it running right.
2) The Norton anti-virus and InternetSecurity wont run at all. Wont
start with the boot up as intended, can't start manually.

This is what my boot.ini file contains:

[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

If I change partition to 0, system wont start - I have to boot with the XP
cd, recovery panel, and fix the file. Config.SYS, AutoExec.Bat are empty
files.

Do I boot initially from AutoExec.Bat? or Boot.INI?

Could someone tell me what I am missing?

Thanks

--

/ Sean the Mc /

"Opinions are like flatulence - everyone loves the sound of their own, but
anyone else's usually just stinks !"
-anonymous
 
Hi,

Your OS boots from boot.ini and it ignaores autoexec.bat.

With regard to the boot.ini syntnax, the parameter for the partition number
on the specified physical disk has a minimal value of 1 [0 is not valid]
have you tried 2 ?"

The best way to edit boot.ini is via
StartButton\Control Panel\System\Advanced\Startup and
Recovery\Settings\Default Operating System

Save changes and reboot to make then stick.
John
 
What-a-Tool said:
[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

If I change partition to 0, system wont start - I have to boot with the XP
cd, recovery panel, and fix the file. Config.SYS, AutoExec.Bat are empty
files.

Do I boot initially from AutoExec.Bat? or Boot.INI?
Click to expand...

That is a normal boot.ini for XP, with just one system, and will not
show. Autoexec.nt has no function in booting. What has happened is
that the third party software you used has installed a boot manager of
its own that you do not want. On the guess that this was BootITNG -
BING - boot its floppy and take uninstall.

Unless you want to use that program as a boot manager of multiple
systems, do not install it. Rather cancel install, when you enter
Maintenance, and click Partition Work to do any partition management you
want
 
Thanks for your help. I'll have to play some more with it.
Boot.ini is there, but for some reason my computer is still looking for the
SysCmndr.Sys file to boot from.
(System Commander is the program I used.)

And I still have no idea why my anti-virus won't boot.

Thanks again

--

/ Sean the Mc /

"Opinions are like flatulence - everyone loves the sound of their own, but
anyone else's usually just stinks !"
-anonymous
 
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