boot.ini for dual XP Pro installation on 2 physical SATA hard disks

[jdjones]

I have a newly built system that is functioning perfectly and yesterday I installed a new SATA and placed a second installation of XP on it with no problems. The problem is that I cannot figure out how to get the syntax correct on the appropriate line of the OS section of the boot.ini file on the C drive (the 2nd XP install is on the G drive). All of the information I found pertains to having the 2nd install on the same drive with different partitions--not what I need. I forgot my administrator password for the drive C install, so I cannot get to the recovery app on the install cd, excluding the use of the bootcfg utility. As of now my system is fine, but boots to the C install without giving me a choice. I just need a generic entry so that I can boot to either drive. My current boot.ini is the generic XP Pro version:

[boot loader]
timeout=30
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 /useptimer

I know this is probably an easy fix, but I simply could not find the answer elsewhere. Thanks!

[LeftyAce]

This is just a hunch, but this line intrigues me:

"multi(0)disk(0)..."

Try using the exact same syntax for your second OS, only call it "multi(0)disk(1)..."

If you've got other harddrives in there (occupying letters E and F) you may need to try disk(2) or disk(3).

[glc]

The drive numbers are not as per letter, they are as per bus position.

[jdjones]

Yes, I have deduced that I probably need to place a particular number into one of those parentheses and that that number relates to the G drive where the 2nd instance resides. How can I look up on my system which number relates to what drive and further, where does it go when I find it? I tried guessing before and BOTH systems refused to boot until I deleted the boot.ini through DOS. I know this is rather simple. Can anyone tell me precisely how to accomplish this simple task? Thanks again for your help.

[glc]

You can play with the boot.ini using msconfig.

You are in trouble if you don't have the Administrator password.