Message when starting Windows XP

kaaloo

A mate just reinstalled my Windows XP on my Dell PC - everything is fine apart from a message i get everytime i turn the PC on

It gives a prompt to select the type of XP I want to use (incidently both choices are exactly the same WINDOWS XP HOME EDITON).

I have a choice of hiting enter to move on or waiting 30 secs after which time it logs on automatically or F8 for advanced set up.

Any ideas how i can get rid of this annoyance? cheers

puno

sounds like the new install of xp has gone along side the original dell one, ideally you want to remove one and leave the other (to save disk space) but from memory I dont think you can do this. You would have to format the hard drive and start from scratch (someone correct me if I'm wrong please)

As a temporary measure you could edit the start up list go to

start>>control panel >System (make sure you are in classic view)

click on the advanced tab>>under "startup and recovery" click settings

click on edit >> a notepad will appear with the boot.ini file,you need to edit this file

take out one of the entries under operating systems and then click files, save as

The only problem is knowing which on to remove, if memory serves me right they are in the same order as when the pc starts.

p.

-TangleFoot-

puno wrote:

You would have to format the hard drive and start from scratch (someone correct me if I'm wrong please)

Sometimes this happens even when you've completely wiped the hard disk; somehow the Windows Installer remembers what was there before formatting.

Not to worry though; editing boot.ini solves it.

robnye

yep,

follow puno's instructions above....

i had the same problem after upgrading from win 98se to xp, did the above and sorted problem

kaaloo

-TangleFoot- wrote:

Sometimes this happens even when you've completely wiped the hard disk; somehow the Windows Installer remembers what was there before formatting.

Not to worry though; editing boot.ini solves it.

Can you give a novice step by step instructions??

Puno - fantastic advice - it worked! You ve been thanked!

-TangleFoot-

Basically, it's the advice above. Here's Microsoft's own checklist; Slightly over-complicated, but it does the job.

drlight_2

are you using style XP or any theme manageing software?

kaaloo

drlight wrote:

are you using style XP or any theme manageing software?

Im not sure what you mean - my xp came pre-loaded with my dell pc. The XP CD has DELL stamped on it and is home edition.

lipidicman

The way to avoid this 'double entry' is to boot the windows cd, let it format your hard drive....

THEN RESET THE MACHINE, and start the install process again

Basically windows can 'remember' there was an installation (prior to the reformat). After the reboot, this 'memory' is gone

scheming_gypsy

you can also right click My Computer, properties, advanced, Startup and recovery settings, then either take the check out of the box in the time to display list of operating systems or lower it to whatever time you want

lipidicman

Yeah, that helps too. But it doesnt get rid of the itch caused by knowing it shouldnt be that way - guess I am just a bit anal. In my case I saw it the first time I booted up, so I didnt lose anything (except 45mins) by reinstalling! Each to their own