removing dual boot help

ringo747 · 26 Dec 2006 at 22:19

hi,

i have xp installed on one drive and a beta version of vista on another partitioned drive. How do I remove vista and just have xp as my default operating system again? Without using the "select os" message on bootup?

Any help would be much appreciated

ultim · 26 Dec 2006 at 23:05

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17658073

ringo747 · 27 Dec 2006 at 13:23

thanks for the link, however, i cannot find a boot.ini file anywhere!

Tosk · 27 Dec 2006 at 14:24

type c:\boot.ini in the address bar on the my computer window
then it will open in notepad there you can edit the line to remove the unwanted part of the boot

make sure you only delete the right line or you cant get into windows

if you do it wrong then you will have to fix it using the windows xp console.

ringo747 · 27 Dec 2006 at 15:19

this is what my file looks like

Code:

;
;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" /FASTDETECT /NOEXECUTE=OPTOUT

I think there must be a different way to remove vista installations judging from what that says

modo77 · 27 Dec 2006 at 15:51

There is download easybcd http://neosmart.net/dl.php?id=1
That will sort it out

Tosk · 27 Dec 2006 at 16:29

mm jonnyc747 from that code you posted thats only showing me 1 OS boot listed.

so the boot.ini must be on the other partition

that software modo77 posted might do the job. but i cant say for sure
as ive never used it befor

ringo747 · 27 Dec 2006 at 16:35

thanks for the links guys... that easybcd tool is very handy.

I have now removed vista from the boot listings. Does that mean that it is now safe to format my vista partition? I have a feeling though that my boot files are now stored on the vista partition automatically when vista is installed and the dual boot options set up.

I notice an option in easybcd sayin "uninstall the vista bootloader (use to restore XP). It is under the "manage bootloader" menu.

Is this what I would be looking to do before removing vista?

modo77 · 27 Dec 2006 at 16:44

Tosk said:
mm jonnyc747 from that code you posted thats only showing me 1 OS boot listed.

so the boot.ini must be on the other partition

Vista doesn't use the boot.ini that's why.

jonnyc747 said:
thanks for the links guys... that easybcd tool is very handy.

I have now removed vista from the boot listings. Does that mean that it is now safe to format my vista partition? I have a feeling though that my boot files are now stored on the vista partition automatically when vista is installed and the dual boot options set up.

I notice an option in easybcd sayin "uninstall the vista bootloader (use to restore XP). It is under the "manage bootloader" menu.

Is this what I would be looking to do before removing vista?

yes

ringo747 · 27 Dec 2006 at 17:13

Do you mean yes as in its safe to delete vista partition now?

Or do you mean I have to select the
"uninstall the vista bootloader (use to restore XP)."
option in easybcd and then delete partition?

Thanks

modo77 · 27 Dec 2006 at 17:45

Yes.

Use the uninstall vista bootloader. That'll put it all back to pre your vista install. You can do what you want with the 2nd hd

ringo747 · 27 Dec 2006 at 17:51

thanks a lot for your help

sajtion · 27 Dec 2006 at 17:51

use partition magic to delete vista. boot up windows xp and use system recovery in dos type fixboot

ringo747 · 27 Dec 2006 at 18:32

sorted - thanks all