Boltonian

I didn't get a Vista disk with the computer. But I downloaded Vista using BitTorrent the other day and I have burned that to a disk.

No I haven't. The partition was already there

It won't let me format it, 'format' is grey. I booted my computer with the XP disc in and formated and installed XP on the 3rd partition (drive I). Since then, every time I shut my computer down and turn it back on, XP loads and doesn't let me choose to load Vista.

Oh ok sorry here it is: [boot loader] timeout=30 default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINDOWS [operating systems] multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect

This article describes how to view and manually configure the Boot.ini file in Windows XP from within the Startup and Recovery dialog. In Windows XP, you can quickly and easily locate the Boot.ini to verify and/or edit the file. It is suggested to backup the Boot.ini file before editing. The first tasks will involve modifying folder option so as to view hidden files and then backing up the Boot.ini file. http://support.microsoft.com/library/images/support/kbgraphics/public/en-us/uparrow.gifBack to the top Save a Backup Copy of Boot.ini Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties. -or- Click Start, click Run, type sysdm.cpl, and then click OK. On the Advanced tab, click Settings under Startup and Recovery. Under System Startup, click Edit. This opens the file in Notepad ready for editing. In Notepad, click File on the Menu bar, and then click Save As. Right click in an empty area of the Save As dialog box, point to New in the context menu, and then click Folder. Type a name for the new folder, for example temp, and then press the ENTER key to create the folder named temp. Double-click the new folder named temp, and then click the Save button to save a backup copy of the Boot.ini file. http://support.microsoft.com/library/images/support/kbgraphics/public/en-us/uparrow.gifBack to the top Edit the Boot.ini File To view and edit the Boot.ini file: Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties. -or- Click Start, click Run, type sysdm.cpl, and then click OK. On the Advanced tab, click Settings under Startup and Recovery. Under System Startup, click Edit. http://support.microsoft.com/library/images/support/kbgraphics/public/en-us/uparrow.gifBack to the top Sample Boot.ini File This is a sample of a default Boot.ini file from a Windows XP Professional computer. [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 This is a sample of the above Boot.ini file with a previous installation of Windows 2000 on a separate partition. [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="Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINNT="Windows 2000 Professional" /fastdetect http://support.microsoft.com/library/images/support/kbgraphics/public/en-us/uparrow.gifBack to the top Modifying the Boot.ini While you can modify the Boot.ini file using the Startup and Recovery dialog, where you can select the default operating system, change the timeout value, or manually edit the file, the following method uses the command line utility, Bootcfg.exe. Note The Bootcfg.exe utility is only available in Windows XP Professional. This utility is not available in Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition. Therefore, this section does not apply to Windows XP Home Edition. Click Start, and then click Run. In the Open text box, type cmd. At the command prompt, type bootcfg /?. The help and parameters for BOOTCFG.exe will display. Adding an Operating System At the command prompt, type: bootcfg /copy /d Operating System Description /ID# Where Operating System Description is a text description (e.g. Windows XP Home Edition), and where # specifies the boot entry ID in the operating systems section of the BOOT.INI file from which the copy has to be made. Removing an Operating System At the command prompt, type: bootcfg /delete /ID# Where # specifies the boot entry ID that you want to be deleted from the operating systems section of the BOOT.INI file (e.g. 2 for the second Operating system that is listed. Setting the Default Operating System At the command prompt, type: bootcfg /default /ID# Where # specifies the boot entry id in the operating systems section of the BOOT.INI file to be made the default operating system. Setting the Time Out At the command prompt, type: bootcfg /timeout# Where # specifies the time in seconds after which default operating system will be loaded. http://support.microsoft.com/library/images/support/kbgraphics/public/en-us/uparrow.gifBack to the top Open the Boot.ini File to Verify Changes Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties. -or- Click Start, click Run, type sysdm.cpl, and then click OK. On the Advanced tab, click Settings under Startup and Recovery. Under System Startup, click Edit.

I have saved a copy of the boot.ini file so do i need to do the section 'adding an operating system'?

Here it is, sorry

Well I have installed XP on the seperate partition and it is is booting up fine. Nothing has been erased from the partition that Vista is on, I have just checked that. I need some advice on how to get Vista to boot again. Even if I have to erase XP somehow. Please help!

Yes that's right

Yea you are right, i managed to work that out. I am having problems now. After watching some videos on youtube I decided to install XP on the spare partition. I have installed XP on the spare partition and it is working fine. However, when I shut down the computer and then start it up again, it is automatically loading XP, not giving me the option of which OS to start. I would appreciate some help ASAP please!

:confused:

:confused:

Well I don't even think I have 2 hard drives now because I looked in BIOS and it's only pickin up one HDD. I don't want to open the case yet because the warranty will be void. In 'Computer' it shows 2 hard drives (C: & D:) :confused:

It is a 939 socket processor, one of the experts on here looked it up for me. Motherboards with 939 sockets are very rare now, from what I have discovered anyway.

Yes because the CPU I have is pretty old and there aren't many motherboards out there for it. I didn't want to spend more than £150 but I know that's probably impossible now that I am starting from scratch. My budget is around £300.

Hi guys. I am wanting to install another OS on my system. I have 2 hard drives in my computer, one of which is empty. Is it just as simple as booting from the dvd drive with the XP disc in and then specifiying that i want the OS installed on the hard drive which is empty? And then to load XP, make sure the hard drive with XP installed is set to boot first? I would appreciate anyone's help. :)

Whilst I have been waiting for someone to recommend me some cheap but decent parts, I have been looking myself. Let me know what you think of these parts guys. Total is £288.76 Case: TA851NOPSU - Asus TA-851, Silver/Black Midi Case, Headphone/ Mic In/ USB 2.0, ATX, Without PSU - Scan.co.uk Power Supply: 350W Silverstone ST35F Silent PSU 120mm Fan Dual +12V, PCI-E, SATA, 80%+ Eff' - Scan.co.uk Motherboard: Asus P5QL-CM, iG43, S 775, PCI-E 2.0(x16), DDR2 1066(OC)/667/800, SATA II, Micro ATX, VGA - Scan.co.uk CPU: BX80571E7400 - Intel Core 2 Duo, E7400, Wolfdale Core, S775, 2.8GHz, 1066MHz, 3MB Cache, 10.5x, 65W, Retail - Scan.co.uk RAM: 2GB Infinion DDR2, PC2-6400 (800MHz), 240 Pins, Non-ECC, Unbuffered, CAS 6 Retail - Scan.co.uk HDD: 160GB Hitachi HDT721016SLA380 Deskstar 7K1000.B, 3.5" Hard Drive, SATA 3Gb/s, 7200 rpm, 8MB Cache - Scan.co.uk Optical Drive: Samsung SH-S223F/BEBE 22x DVD±R, 12x DVD±R, DVD+RW x8/-RW x6, SATA, Black, OEM - Scan.co.uk

I could really use some help soon guys...

Thanks Dalo Harkin, that would be great! :)

Thanks for your help Dalo Harkin, it really helps. I understand what you mean. This must be quite an old CPU that I have and there aren't many . I am now considering starting from scratch. I would like someone to help me in picking some cheap, but decent parts. I am only going to be using it to go on the internet and use it for practicing on things such as command line and lots of other stuff. I ma studying the CompTIA A+ course at the moment and want to build a PC, I have not built one fully yet. Would you recommend I get an Intel CPU such as Intel Core 2 Duo rather than an AMD CPU? I have heard that Intel are better for multitasking and AMD are better for gaming. I would appreciate anyone's help. Cheers. :)

I am not sure Tootech. This is what is written on top of the CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 ADA3800DAA5BV LDBHE 0601UPMW T699769A60031

If you can find a similar case with PSU and fans installed, that would be great. Preferably with USB ports on the front, and not the ones that are right down at the bottom of the case! Thanks for your help. :) P.S Try scan.co.uk, I am considering buying from there.

Ok. So can you recommend a set of components that I need please? I would like to spend less than £100 but I know that will probably be difficult to achieve. I would probably spend up to about £150.

The components I have are: Casecom KB-7760 ATX Midi Tower Case (Purchasing soon) AMD Athlon 64 Dual Core CPU 80GB PATA Hard Drive Monitor Keyboard Mouse Windows XP & Vista The components I need are: Motherboard (with onboard graphics) - can be ATX or Micro ATX Power Supply RAM DVD-RW drive Regarding the CPU fan, would I get one with the motherboard or does that need to be purchased seperately? I wasn't thinking about buying a case fan. Would I really need one? It's not going to be switched on for hours on end and it's not going to be a very powerful system. As I mentioned in my first post, I am only using it for some practice.

Thanks for your response Tootech. If possible, I would like to spend less than £100. I am planning on purchasing a motherboard with onboard graphics, as I won't really be using it for gaming. With regards to which CPU, I stated which CPU I have already, it is an AMD Athlon 64 X2 dual core. I am not sure what GHz it is, as my brother gave it to me, it was just a spare CPU he had lying around. It is not a new CPU, it is probably a couple of years old at least. Lastly, I was thinking of buying 2 x 1GB DDR2 800MHz Corsair memory, I think that would be enough, but would prefer your recommendation. :)