2 XP's on 2 partitions - huh?

Bri

Hey,

My desktop has been dodgy for ages (driver problems, etc.) so I decided to wipe it while i'm in that frame of mind.

Anyway, sticking in the XP disk I choose install XP (enter, f8, etc.) then get presented with 2 partitions - 1 huge one and the other >50MBs. I delete the latter, presuming it would just be amalgimated with the rest of the HD. Anyway, I presumed from continuing to install my original XP would be wrote-over after the warning about installing multiple copies (I'm 99% sure that's whats happened in my 2 last reinstallations on other PCs).

Anyway, all goes well. Reboot. Presented with option of WHICH XP Home to enter into. The bottom one won't load cos of a hardware prob (still in the DOS-style window).

What's going on?

I'm installing SP2 and drivers on the working XP but I'd be willing to repeat the whole process to keep just 1 working copy on the machine so as to avoid confusion for the rest of the family who'll be using it.

Thanks in advance.

It's a Dell Dimension 8200 (don't ask) with XP Home 2002 no SP. HD is 55GB (ish).

MrPinK

Happens sometimes. If you open C:\boot.ini (make sure you have the options to view hidden and system files selected in folder options) you'll see the info for both XP installations. The fact that one of them won't load suggests that the installation doesn't exist anymore but the entry was never removed from boot.ini. You should be able to just delete the old entry, but backup the file just in case. If you're not sure which one is the old one, change the name (part in quotation marks) and check the boot menu on startup.

Deadwing

Just get yourself a copy of partition magic. That little beauty has saved my ass (or more accurately, my hard drive) on countless installs/partition resizes/file system changes/formats etc etc. One of the handiest utilities youll ever use, trust me

Bri

Thanks guys.

I presume the two replies arn't mutually exclusive? I'm gonna go for the easy .ini option first and then look at downloading partition magic. There's no phoneline for me to connect the desktop so it's a bit more hassle (I'm on wifi at the mo).

Cheers.

Bri

Erm this is a bit strange - the boot.ini file in c:\ is openable with Run...but not visible even with all files showing. I can see what to edit but everytime I do it won't let me because it says the file doesn't exist and then pops up say it's got read-only attributes? I can't see the file to change these options and even a search comes back with no file. Even DOS wouldn't let me del c:\boot.ini as it doesn't exist!

Is this because there's 2 accounts on XP? I mean i'm using the admin account.

Any idea? :eek:

MrPinK

There's a folder option called "Hide protected system files (Recommended)" that is set by default. It has to be unset for you to be able to see the file. Then in order to change the file you'll have to change it's read-only status in the file properties. Probably a good idea to change it back when you're done editing it.

Bri

Doh, here's me thinking that was the same option as hidden files.

Thanking you - works like a charm.