rid dual boot

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In an attempt to format a slave drive, I mistakenly reinstalled Windows on
it. Now when I boot, all my icons are gone.
If I disconnect that drive, then I get a message that the machine can't
finish booting. However if I just press enter, I come to a choice of 2
Windows operating systems. Choosing the second resulted in my original
Windows coming back with working programs.
I want to clear out the other Windows and reformat the slave.
 
I found a FAQ for removing dual boot which I find I have now, but can't get
the procedure to work.
I find that the lower of 2 OS is the one I want. I go to boot.ini and
remove the first. When I reboot, it goes to the 2nd line, default, instead of
the XP HE 1st line, so I must move it. If I go back to the boot.ini and
change the 30 sec to 0 sec, then the machine won't boot without the 2nd HD. I
have tried several times and can't get rid of the default, undesired XP.
Perhaps this is too advanced or complicated for any help, as I have gotten
nowhere.
 
Edit the Boot.ini file in Start\Control Panel\System\Advanced
Options\Startup and Recover\Config\click on the scroll window and see which
OS is blued out, which determines the default OS (get straight which is your
prior OS and set it as default) and then Edit the Boot.ini file by erasing
the secondary OS entry or line in the file. The boot.ini file should read
something like as follows.

[Boot loader]
timeout=10
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
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional" /fastdetect

The first line defines which is the Master HD (0) with the default OS in
partitition (1)
The second line describes the Master HD with which should be the default OS
(original OS)
The third line describes the Slave HD (1) with the accidentally installed
OS. (But in your case seems like this OS is defined as default). the OS
that starts automatically without touching a key is the presently
established as default XP OS, and is the one blued out in the boot.ini file
in system\advanced options. Make absolutely sure which is OS you want to
keep and erase the other line from the file, and then go to Desktop\My
Computer\right clic and select Manage\Disc Management\with a right click
select the partition where the undesired OS is and select Format.. and
follow the indications.

Before you Edit the boot.ini file back it up and make a startup diskette in
case you make some mistake while editing the Boot,ini file that can leave
you unable to logon. Format a diskette in: Start\Run\type; cmd.exe and hit
Enter\ and type format a: then copy to that diskette the following files.
BOOT.INI, NTDETECT.COM and NTLDR, find the files to copy to the startup
diskette in C:\ Tools\Folder Options\View\ "Show hidden files and folders"
and uncheck on "Hide protected system files (recommended)... next look for
the files in C:\ and copy them to the diskette.

Then Edit the boot.ini file in system-advanced options, erase the line that
represents the secondary OS in the slave HD. Make sure you've got the right
one, save the changes in the file and restart the computer.

-------------------------------
 
You have to set to DEFAULT the DESIRED OS before you can delete the
undesired line from the boot.ini file... Establish that with the scroll
window in System\advanced options\startup and recovery\Config\scroll and
select...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Thanks but, I couldn't follow your directions. I am assuming that you
refered to system properties as the stating point. Here as before, I went
to advanced, then startup & recovery, but then I se not config, etc, but
edit. Am I in the wrong area?
 
Thank you very much for the detailed instructions. I initially had some
problems. I misunderstood the "blued out" and then realized it was what I
would have called highlighted. After getting beyoned that I was able to
proceed and get rid of the unwanted 2nd OS.

Juan said:
Edit the Boot.ini file in Start\Control Panel\System\Advanced
Options\Startup and Recover\Config\click on the scroll window and see which
OS is blued out, which determines the default OS (get straight which is your
prior OS and set it as default) and then Edit the Boot.ini file by erasing
the secondary OS entry or line in the file. The boot.ini file should read
something like as follows.

[Boot loader]
timeout=10
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
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional" /fastdetect

The first line defines which is the Master HD (0) with the default OS in
partitition (1)
The second line describes the Master HD with which should be the default OS
(original OS)
The third line describes the Slave HD (1) with the accidentally installed
OS. (But in your case seems like this OS is defined as default). the OS
that starts automatically without touching a key is the presently
established as default XP OS, and is the one blued out in the boot.ini file
in system\advanced options. Make absolutely sure which is OS you want to
keep and erase the other line from the file, and then go to Desktop\My
Computer\right clic and select Manage\Disc Management\with a right click
select the partition where the undesired OS is and select Format.. and
follow the indications.

Before you Edit the boot.ini file back it up and make a startup diskette in
case you make some mistake while editing the Boot,ini file that can leave
you unable to logon. Format a diskette in: Start\Run\type; cmd.exe and hit
Enter\ and type format a: then copy to that diskette the following files.
BOOT.INI, NTDETECT.COM and NTLDR, find the files to copy to the startup
diskette in C:\ Tools\Folder Options\View\ "Show hidden files and folders"
and uncheck on "Hide protected system files (recommended)... next look for
the files in C:\ and copy them to the diskette.

Then Edit the boot.ini file in system-advanced options, erase the line that
represents the secondary OS in the slave HD. Make sure you've got the right
one, save the changes in the file and restart the computer.

-------------------------------
robirdman said:
In an attempt to format a slave drive, I mistakenly reinstalled Windows on
it. Now when I boot, all my icons are gone.
If I disconnect that drive, then I get a message that the machine can't
finish booting. However if I just press enter, I come to a choice of 2
Windows operating systems. Choosing the second resulted in my original
Windows coming back with working programs.
I want to clear out the other Windows and reformat the slave.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
No, You are probably in the right place, it's just a matter of language and
used words, my OS says Config (in Spanish) it's the Button before Edit (may
say Settings).. So then, there... right above the Edit (Button) click on the
scroll window and set the above line as the default OS.. It's in the same
order as it appears during the Bootup... say if yu have any other doubt.
------------------------
 
Missed your last message below, it had not appeared on my screeen. I see you
have solved it... glad to help!.
-------------------
 
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