Windows XP question

[James]

I have a question. On my laptop when I turn it on it shows windows xp-
which is normal, but then it goes to a black screen with white type
that says-"select the operating system to start" and windows xp
professional is highlighted-which is what my system is. My question is
how can I bypass this black screen.

James

 

[JS]

How to edit the Boot.ini file in Windows XP
See: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/289022/en-us
and: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314081/en-us

Change the section titled from:
[boot loader]
timeout=30

To:
[boot loader]
timeout=0

 

[Jim]

I have a question. On my laptop when I turn it on it shows windows xp-
which is normal, but then it goes to a black screen with white type
that says-"select the operating system to start" and windows xp
professional is highlighted-which is what my system is. My question is
how can I bypass this black screen.

James

What is the "other" operating system ?

 

[Jose]

What is the "other" operating system ?

The other operating system on this box is the Windows XP Recovery
Console.

In case my XP won't start, I can choose RC to troubleshoot.

I changed my boot.ini default timeout from 30 to 3 so I at least have
time to choose should the day arise. If you set it to zero, you will
have zero time to choose. That may be fine for you.

If you get tired of waiting, just press the Enter key on the
appropriate choice.

It could be some other OS like Windows 2000 if you installed XP on the
top of an old OS. If you think you will never use the old OS, remove
the choice by editing the boot.ini file so there is no chance of
confusion. You can add it back later.

The text description of the boot choices is easy to edit and may not
be clear, so change them so they are perfectly clear.

If you are not sure about your boot.ini, copy and paste the contents
here for interpretation and then make an informed decision about what
to do.

 

[James Moore]

What is the "other" operating system ?

Both systems that are hilighted say -windows xp professional.

James

 

[JS]

If you have two entries listed when you boot
but do not have a "Dual Boot" system then
read on.

Start/Run/msconfig (this open the System Configuration Utility.
Select the BOOT.INI tab
Click on the 'Check All Boot Paths' button.
If Msconfig finds an invalid path you will get a Pop Up windows
with a message that in effect says:
"the following line in the BOOT.INI file does not refer to a valid
operating system"
It will ask you to delete the invalid path.

Now as to the timer, you will see a Timeout box in the middle right of
System Configuration Utility window.
You can change this to a higher or lower number of seconds.

--
JS
http://www.pagestart.com

What is the "other" operating system ?

Both systems that are hilighted say -windows xp professional.

James

 

[James Moore]

If you have two entries listed when you boot
but do not have a "Dual Boot" system then
read on.

Start/Run/msconfig (this open the System Configuration Utility.
Select the  BOOT.INI  tab
Click on the 'Check All Boot Paths' button.
If Msconfig finds an invalid path you will get a Pop Up windows
with a message that in effect says:
"the following line in the BOOT.INI file does not refer to a valid
operating system"
It will ask you to delete the invalid path.

Now as to the timer, you will see a Timeout box in the middle right of
System Configuration Utility window.
You can change this to a higher or lower number of seconds.

--
JShttp://www.pagestart.com





Both systems that are hilighted say -windows xp professional.

James

Thank you JS, I followed your directions and it worked.

Thanks again
James

 

[JS]

You're welcome.

--
JS
http://www.pagestart.com

If you have two entries listed when you boot
but do not have a "Dual Boot" system then
read on.

Start/Run/msconfig (this open the System Configuration Utility.
Select the BOOT.INI tab
Click on the 'Check All Boot Paths' button.
If Msconfig finds an invalid path you will get a Pop Up windows
with a message that in effect says:
"the following line in the BOOT.INI file does not refer to a valid
operating system"
It will ask you to delete the invalid path.

Now as to the timer, you will see a Timeout box in the middle right of
System Configuration Utility window.
You can change this to a higher or lower number of seconds.

--
JShttp://www.pagestart.com





Both systems that are hilighted say -windows xp professional.

James

Thank you JS, I followed your directions and it worked.

Thanks again
James