How have I got 2 versions of XP??

DazedAndConfuzed

When I boot my pc I get the option of which version of XP I want to load up, so I'm thinking I've installed it twice somehow? (Probably when reformatting my pc when it died like it used to do regularly).

After upgrading the machine I want to completely wipe things and start afresh with 1 version of XP installed on a partitioned drive but can't seem to get past this thing of having 2 versions on there.

Even toying with just getting Windows 7 assuming I can do a clean install?

Any ideas?

:think:

debitcardmayhem

Windows 7 will need a clean install anyway from XP

What does it say on boot options for the 2 versions ?

Lil306

DazedAndConfuzed wrote: »

When I boot my pc I get the option of which version of XP I want to load up, so I'm thinking I've installed it twice somehow? (Probably when reformatting my pc when it died like it used to do regularly).

After upgrading the machine I want to completely wipe things and start afresh with 1 version of XP installed on a partitioned drive but can't seem to get past this thing of having 2 versions on there.

Even toying with just getting Windows 7 assuming I can do a clean install?

Any ideas?

:think:

You're seeing two versions of Windows because the computer is finding two boot partitions / boot loaders. However one could be corrupt, you couldn't really tell until you try starting on the partition

If you happy to use the original version of Windows, you could modify your PC startup so it always boots the same O/S instead of making you choose which O/S to load... that route is a bit messy however. If you want to look into it I believe the path is...

control panel - system - advanced - startup (not 100% on this)

Personally if I was you since you've upgraded your PC nows a good time to reinstall the O/S or upgrade it

You could get a boot CD (i.e BartPE) boot into the Boot CD, then open a command prompt and format your Hard Drive. Your computer then would have a blank hard drive and you load a bootable Windows CD into it and reinstall the O/S

debitcardmayhem

BTW :T followed your upgrade on here well done

bazster

DazedAndConfuzed wrote: »

When I boot my pc I get the option of which version of XP I want to load up, so I'm thinking I've installed it twice somehow? (Probably when reformatting my pc when it died like it used to do regularly).

After upgrading the machine I want to completely wipe things and start afresh with 1 version of XP installed on a partitioned drive but can't seem to get past this thing of having 2 versions on there.

Even toying with just getting Windows 7 assuming I can do a clean install?

Any ideas?

:think:

When you start installing XP from scratch, you will get a chance to delete the existing partition(s) and create new ones. That will effectively nuke everything (at least from a logical point of view; if you want to wipe everything beyond expert recovery you will need to take further steps).

ian2211

You just need to edit the Boot.ini file

Go to system properties (Right click my computer and select properties)
Click Advanced-->
Go to start up and recovery and click settings
Under system start up click edit and boot.ini will open in notepad

You can then edit and save changes

DazedAndConfuzed

debitcardmayhem wrote: »

BTW :T followed your upgrade on here well done

Thanks, I'd like to say I did it all by myself but as you can see from the postings.... I really didn't! Nice to know there are people that actually want to help though, there's so many A-holes out there who just want to mess you about.

:beer:

Lil306

ian2211 wrote: »

You just need to edit the Boot.ini file

Go to system properties (Right click my computer and select properties)
Click Advanced-->
Go to start up and recovery and click settings
Under system start up click edit and boot.ini will open in notepad

You can then edit and save changes

Yep thanks, this is the bit I was thinking of but couldn't remember it

If you go the reinstall method backup all your files, hell I'd do it anyway as it's good practice.