Dual boot with the same O/S

[MARKBLACK]

Hi, I have just had my machine in for repair Monitor fault. Since its been returned ever time I boot it asks do I want to boot in either Windows XP (Home) 0r Windows XP (Home). This has confused me as I have feeling the store have installed Windows XP (Home) again. Firstly why have they done this plus can I delete one of these operatering systems? because it must be taking up twice the space it should be.

[doctorgonzo]

First, make sure if XP has really been installed twice. There would have to be two partitions on your HD, one for each installation.

If not, there might just be a problem with your boot.ini file. The boot.ini file is located in your C:\ directory, and is a hidden file that contains entries for each OS on your PC. It probably contains a line under the header [operating systems] that looks something like this:

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home" /fastdetect

There should be one line like that for each OS on your computer. If you have only one OS installed (XP Home) and there is more than one line like that in your boot.ini file, just remove the duplicates. If you are unsure of what to do, post the contents of your boot.ini file here and we can help.

[reboot]

Time to take it back to the store, and find out exactly what they did.
If you can actually boot to both, it's entirely possible they have installed it twice, and/or ghosted the original, then reinstalled, and it's taking up twice the room.
Either way, they've screwed up, and it's their fault, get them to fix it, and give you back your system the way you want it.
There are ways to find out exactly what's going on, and if it's really a double install, but it's not up to you to fix it this time.

[MARKBLACK]

This is whats in boot.ini


[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 Home Edition" /fastdetect /HAL=halaacpi.dll

[reboot]

*** is "HAL=halaacpi.dll" and what is it doing in boot.ini?
Something to do with advanced power management, but it's not a normal thing.

[MARKBLACK]

I'm new to XP - but I have a feeling I'm going to need to find somethings out.

[not important]

Right clik My Computer. Clik properties-Clik Advanced-Look for Startup and Recovery-Clik on Settings-Set the Time to List Operating Systems to 0[zero] clik OK.

[MARKBLACK]

Hi again I have been thinking this out *This Boot.ini*

if I delete one of these boot up options I think I will be OK - further my investgation it seems that the part ending with "HAL=halaacpi.dll" is my original boot - (Don't ask though how this was set up cos I don't know) I think whats happened when I took the machine back to the store the guy must have had trouble booting the machine because when I've tried it tonight I get a message saying "Corrupted personal profile" how I sort, that god only knows.

I am thinking of deleting the part ending " HAL=halaacpi.dll" because as I but I get this "Corrupted personal profile" and I don't know how to sort that, I'm wondering if others agree to what I'm doing?

[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 Home Edition" /fastdetect /HAL=halaacpi.dll

[ZANEY123]

http://www.jsifaq.com/subj/tip4600/rh4632.htm


i dont know if that helps much but i would rec what reboot said take it back to the store and let them fix it for you..

[Tuf]

That is strange. I have never a Hardware Layer dll file in the Boot Menu. My only guess would be to force using an ACPI bios that was blacklisted. But that makes no sense unless this computer is old(1998 or older) or has a bios structure that M$ is not familiar with. Either way I agree with reboot make 'em fix what they broke.

[MARKBLACK]

I think this guy has reinstalled XP thinking it would write over the older version I tried it this morning and I got.

[boot loader]
timeout=1
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS.1
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS.1="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS.0="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect /HAL=halaacpi.dll


Maybe its better I format and reinstall

[Tuf]

It looks like you have three installs on the same partition. You could clean it up but it will never be as good as a clean install. Depending on how many programs you have and how much tweaking you do it might be faster to reinstall everything. Make sure you save what you want on another drive.

[MARKBLACK]

I'm use to Win 98.....Do I just progress the same how do I get to dos? Do I just format the hardrive from dos? Can I be expecting a striaght forward install

[MARKBLACK]

I have a Fujitus Siemans Product Recovery Disc CD-ROM - when I install it - a message gives me a number of options - one is to install XP. but no option to format.

[MARKBLACK]

I tried dropping to dos but theres no option. I tried formatting from windows and I keep getting messages saying can't do this cos this and that is running I looked in ctrl-altl-delete but nothings running so I don't know how to format.

Normally when I have cleaned the drive with win 98.. I just ran the startup disc - this was straight forward.

[doctorgonzo]

You can download a Windows 98 bootdisk from www.bootdisk.com and boot from that to format your hard drive; you can't format the active partition from within Windows. You can also just use the recovery CD to reinstall. It should give you the chance to format if it doesn't do it automatically.

[reboot]

Yup, use the Win98 startup disk to format the drive, then run your recovery CD.
The other option is to edit boot.ini so it ONLY looks exactly as below:
[boot loader]
timeout=1
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect

You may not be happy with it that way though.
Check to see if you have folders on your hard drive labelled "Windows.1" and "Windows.2".
Boot the computer after changing the boot.ini the way I have it, then delete those two folders.
That will give you back your disk space (most of it anyhow).
Personally, I would backup any data you need, and format/reinstall.

edit: Some @^@$& joker calling him/herself a tech has royally messed with your system. I would be calling the BBB and I'd take it back and make them fix it right. This is totally inexcusable for a shop to let a computer out the door in this condition.

[MARKBLACK]

Thanks reboot I have decided to delete the "Windows" folder that was created when I got the machine. It's sort of been corrupted now with me messing about trying to hide & delete things before I took it to the store - The guy in the store has reinstalled another copy of XP (Window.0) so for now i'm going to use that one. I am going to write to the store manager as its a big store its not a corner shop. I'm confused really to why this extra copy of XP was installed in the first place. The machine did boot OK when I took it in. It should have been fine to check-out a Monitor/video card problem

I am going to try and note all your suggestions for further notice eventually I will probably need to install XP again - I think this time I had panicked as I was use to having Win 98 on my machine. I do appreicate all your help fingers crossed it all goes well - or I'll be back

[Tuf]

On any newer computer you set the bios to boot from the CDROM and do it all from the CD. Same thing applies though save anything you want because it will erase everything when you format.

[reboot]

More than 1 extra copy if your boot.ini is any indication...
If I had worked on that machine, and let it out like that, I would have been fired on the spot the moment you came back in the store.
More than a letter to the manager is in order here methinks.

[MARKBLACK]

I think the lad who reinstalled XP again may not have realised he had done this (Maybe I’m wrong though).

I agree this machine shouldn’t have been handed back to the customer without being double checked - lucky for me I contacted you-lot to help me out - I did panicked a little bit.

I know with Win 98 when I’ve installed over the older system all the new files are put in the same "windows Directory" it doesn’t let you install on the same partition twice

[reboot]

XP will install over top as well, but if you're clueless, you end up with a double install, and in your case, it seems like 3 installs. It's not quite as simple as 98.

[Tuf]

Once you get the hang of it I think it's easier than 9X. At least it's simpler because you can't affect it's behavior as much.

Down here Reboot the kid probably got a bonus for just showing up that day. I spent last winter up in Canada and there is no comparison as to the quality of customer service from here to there. Canadians take their jobs much more serious than alot of Americans not all but alot.

I stayed in Calgary for a couple months of my trip up there and there was a guy from Kelowna that stayed at the same hotel I was staying in. He worked for Continental Tire and was one of the funniest people I have ever met.