how do i remove other os from boot menu

dirtybeatfreak · 21 Apr 2007 at 22:48

hello all, i installed vista on a partition for testing purposes and have since formatted and deleted that partition but when my comp boots up it still gives me a choice of loading xp and vista??? how do i remove that menu so it goes straight into xp as norm

many thx in advance

.walls · 21 Apr 2007 at 22:52

go to c:\boot.ini with notepad and remove the line corresponding to the OS you don't want from the section [operating systems].

Boot.ini is simply a config file for the NT boot loader - when you look at it, that section is fairly self explanatory.

[EDIT]: Or you could use Start --> Run --> msconfig and go to the boot.ini section as well.

dirtybeatfreak · 21 Apr 2007 at 22:54

wow thx for the fast reply, will try it now

dirtybeatfreak · 21 Apr 2007 at 22:57

;
;Warning: Boot.ini is used on Windows XP and earlier operating systems.
;Warning: Use BCDEDIT.exe to modify Windows Vista boot options.
;
[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" /NOEXECUTE=OPTIN /FASTDETECT

is all i can see?? what should i get rid of in that ?

.walls · 21 Apr 2007 at 23:08

alangelluk said:
is all i can see?? what should i get rid of in that ?

That is only pointing at your XP Pro install, which I assume that you want to keep...

Sorry, I just assumed that Vista would be the same as XP, however, it does point you in the right direction...

;Warning: Boot.ini is used on Windows XP and earlier operating systems.
;Warning: Use BCDEDIT.exe to modify Windows Vista boot options.

.walls · 21 Apr 2007 at 23:12

From the sounds of it, Vista installs a boot loader in the MBR, which BCDEDIT can remove.

If this is the case, then you can also do it with your XP cd in recovery console with fixmbr - but don't quote me on that, this is a huge assumption - as I don't have Vista....

[EDIT:] Yeah, just checked, fixmbr should work for you.

dirtybeatfreak · 21 Apr 2007 at 23:38

tried that mate didnt work, what about fixboot tho?? that will write a new bootsector tho?? would that do it ?

.walls · 21 Apr 2007 at 23:42

fixboot and fixmbr do very similar jobs... if fixmbr didn't work...

mind you, it really can't hurt to try!!

.walls · 21 Apr 2007 at 23:46

Just had another quick google:

Here's the basic steps you need to do:

1. Backup, backup, backup
2. Reboot and Boot to your XP CD-ROM
3. Start the Recovery Console
4. Run Fixboot
5. Run fixmbr to reset the master boot record
6. Exit the Recovery Console
7. Reboot
8. To remove the extra entry, edit the boot.ini file to remove the "Microsoft Windows Longhorn" entry.
9. Format Your Vista Partition

obviously step 8 is not necessary, and i wouldn't worry about the backup either, mbrs are easily fixed...

dirtybeatfreak · 22 Apr 2007 at 01:09

done that mate, still doing it

bringans · 22 Apr 2007 at 09:32

1: Boot your computer in to Windows XP.

2: Ensure you have the Vista DVD image emulated or in the DVD drive.

3: Go to “Start” and “Run”. Type in “e:\boot\bootsect.exe /nt52 ALL /force” (without quotes, and replacing e: with the drive letter of your Vista DVD).

4: Restart the computer, and you will notice the boot selection menu is gone.

IF NOT REMOVED VISTA: STILL CHECK PART 6

5: Format the partition/drive where you had Vista installed.

6: Remove two files (Boot.BAK & Bootsect.BAK) on your XP drive’s root folder (C

, these were backup files of your previous bootloader, now no longer useful.

7: Optional: Restart to ensure it still works.

Begbie · 22 Apr 2007 at 16:35

Can you not just

Right click my computer

Advanced

Startup and Recovery

Uncheck time to display list of operating systems,

thats what I've always done in the past

.walls · 22 Apr 2007 at 16:44

That just edits the boot.ini - which isn't in use in Vista.

Vista adds a boot loader to the hard disk's mbr to enable it to boot (i.e. it's not using ntldr)

dirtybeatfreak · 22 Apr 2007 at 17:08

bringans said:
1: Boot your computer in to Windows XP.

2: Ensure you have the Vista DVD image emulated or in the DVD drive.

3: Go to “Start” and “Run”. Type in “e:\boot\bootsect.exe /nt52 ALL /force” (without quotes, and replacing e: with the drive letter of your Vista DVD).

4: Restart the computer, and you will notice the boot selection menu is gone.

IF NOT REMOVED VISTA: STILL CHECK PART 6

5: Format the partition/drive where you had Vista installed.

6: Remove two files (Boot.BAK & Bootsect.BAK) on your XP drive’s root folder (C, these were backup files of your previous bootloader, now no longer useful.

7: Optional: Restart to ensure it still works.

thx again for your replies all

didnt work either mate

it said the path u gave me was not a valid w32 application

Vicar · 22 Apr 2007 at 20:22

begbo said:
Can you not just

Right click my computer

Advanced

Startup and Recovery

Uncheck time to display list of operating systems,

thats what I've always done in the past

Yup that is the way to go....

=walls= said:
That just edits the boot.ini - which isn't in use in Vista.

Vista adds a boot loader to the hard disk's mbr to enable it to boot (i.e. it's not using ntldr)

This actually bypasses the Vista boot menu, so you dont see it, it preselects XP and so set to zero seconds, you wont the see the vista Boot menu. When doing th eabove though, make sure that older OS is highlighted as the boot option.

Regards

Vic