Guest Nolan Posted October 23, 2008 Posted October 23, 2008 During startup, when I hit the key (I can't remember which one it is at the moment) to do a step-by-step startup, my computer goes to the 'select operating system' screen, which shows TWO installations of XP. This evidently happened when I took it to the shop a few years ago for an upgrade from ME. I don't know what the &*^$# they did, but evidently they managed to install both a valid and a non-valid copy. I just recently discovered this, and that shop (surprise) is no longer in business. I can't get any upgrades, because the MS website is detecting a non-valid copy of XP, which I suspect is the one that is not the default, which the machine normally operates on. Anyone have an idea how I can (1) determine which installation is the one that's normally loading, and (2) how to get rid of it without (3) having to pop for $150 for an all new installation and possibly lose all my data/settings, etc. Help?
Guest philo Posted October 23, 2008 Posted October 23, 2008 Re: Double installation of XP "Nolan" <nolanjarvisnospam@att.net> wrote in message news:DCE836DE-C5C7-4649-A82F-2A84F6311121@microsoft.com... > During startup, when I hit the key (I can't remember which one it is at the > moment) to do a step-by-step startup, my computer goes to the 'select > operating system' screen, which shows TWO installations of XP. > > This evidently happened when I took it to the shop a few years ago for an > upgrade from ME. I don't know what the &*^$# they did, but evidently they > managed to install both a valid and a non-valid copy. I just recently > discovered this, and that shop (surprise) is no longer in business. > > I can't get any upgrades, because the MS website is detecting a non-valid > copy of XP, which I suspect is the one that is not the default, which the > machine normally operates on. > > Anyone have an idea how I can (1) determine which installation is the one > that's normally loading, and (2) how to get rid of it without (3) having to > pop for $150 for an all new installation and possibly lose all my > data/settings, etc. > > Help? > > > Though the old copy of Windows can be deleted and the entry removed from boot.ini there is a chance the Windows update is simply detecting the copy of Windows you are booted to
Guest Terry R. Posted October 23, 2008 Posted October 23, 2008 Re: Double installation of XP The date and time was 10/23/2008 2:06 PM, and on a whim, Nolan pounded out on the keyboard: > During startup, when I hit the key (I can't remember which one it is at the > moment) to do a step-by-step startup, my computer goes to the 'select > operating system' screen, which shows TWO installations of XP. > > This evidently happened when I took it to the shop a few years ago for an > upgrade from ME. I don't know what the &*^$# they did, but evidently they > managed to install both a valid and a non-valid copy. I just recently > discovered this, and that shop (surprise) is no longer in business. > > I can't get any upgrades, because the MS website is detecting a non-valid > copy of XP, which I suspect is the one that is not the default, which the > machine normally operates on. > > Anyone have an idea how I can (1) determine which installation is the one > that's normally loading, and (2) how to get rid of it without (3) having to > pop for $150 for an all new installation and possibly lose all my > data/settings, etc. > > Help? > > > Hi Nolan, First thing to do is try both by selecting one, seeing if it's the "correct" one, rebooting and then selecting the other. Make note which is the correct one. Maybe the other one won't even boot, you never know. If so, just turn the machine off, wait 5-10 seconds and start it again. Then boot into the default (if you make no selections and let it load by itself). From there, right click on My Computer, and select Manage, then click on Disk Management which is under Storage. How many disks do you have (describe here)? How many partitions are listed (name them all). Next right click again on My Computer and select Properties, Advanced tab, click the Settings button under Startup and Recovery. Click the Edit button under System startup. Press Ctrl-A to select everything and then Ctrl-C to copy the info. Paste it into a reply here and report back. -- Terry R. ***Reply Note*** Anti-spam measures are included in my email address. Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.
Guest Ronaldo Posted October 24, 2008 Posted October 24, 2008 Re: Double installation of XP The Windows Update website is probably detecting the copy you are loged on as the non-valid copy... same copy that boots automatically and is set as the default. You could log on the valid copy and rescue the licence code number in case it is different from the licence code on the sticker. You may try to logon in the other OS, retrieve the licence with "Keyfinder" and use the key on the un-valid copy, that's if can manage to logon which is worth making an effort before you delete the OS, But, you don't have to delete that copy... if it runs w/o problems you can keep it for emergencies. To identify which OS you are using: Right click on the start Button and select Explore, the Windows Explorer should open on the drive you are running. That should help determine which OS is used by default... so take notice of which partition it is installed on, next go to Control Panel \ System \ Advanced Options \ Startup and Recovery \ Settings \ Edit \ the Boot.ini file will open so check the first & second lines, it should help determine which OS is by default (and boots automatically), which is probably the un-valid copy. Boot.ini file: default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(#)\WINDOWS (partition # indicates location of the default OS on the HD. [operating systems] multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(#)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional " (firs in the OS list is the default) multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(#)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional " ------------------------------------- "Nolan" <nolanjarvisnospam@att.net> escribió en el mensaje news:DCE836DE-C5C7-4649-A82F-2A84F6311121@microsoft.com... > During startup, when I hit the key (I can't remember which one it is at > the > moment) to do a step-by-step startup, my computer goes to the 'select > operating system' screen, which shows TWO installations of XP. > > This evidently happened when I took it to the shop a few years ago for an > upgrade from ME. I don't know what the &*^$# they did, but evidently they > managed to install both a valid and a non-valid copy. I just recently > discovered this, and that shop (surprise) is no longer in business. > > I can't get any upgrades, because the MS website is detecting a non-valid > copy of XP, which I suspect is the one that is not the default, which the > machine normally operates on. > > Anyone have an idea how I can (1) determine which installation is the one > that's normally loading, and (2) how to get rid of it without (3) having > to > pop for $150 for an all new installation and possibly lose all my > data/settings, etc. > > Help? > > >
Guest Nolan Posted October 24, 2008 Posted October 24, 2008 Re: Double installation of XP Sheepish and more than a bit puzzled, Nolan replied: Um, well, somewhere along the way the errant installation disappeared.... When I went to OS selection, XP Pro was the only one there ....? But the one that's left still fails validation. Just for the record, there are two drives listed (correct): Disk 0, C:, 37.26 GB, NTFS, 1 partition,(System); and Disk 1, D:, 9.56 GB, NTFS, 1 partition, (Active). System startup is: [boot loader] timeout=30 default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS [operating systems] multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect When I attempt validation on the MS website, I put in the key that Keyfinder returned (the doofi at the now-defunct shop didn't put a key sticker on when they installed it) but the site times out without giving me a reply. So did I just get sold a pirated copy and am now in S.O.L. mode, or are there other steps I can take?? "Terry R." wrote: > The date and time was 10/23/2008 2:06 PM, and on a whim, Nolan pounded > out on the keyboard: > > > During startup, when I hit the key (I can't remember which one it is at the > > moment) to do a step-by-step startup, my computer goes to the 'select > > operating system' screen, which shows TWO installations of XP. > > > > This evidently happened when I took it to the shop a few years ago for an > > upgrade from ME. I don't know what the &*^$# they did, but evidently they > > managed to install both a valid and a non-valid copy. I just recently > > discovered this, and that shop (surprise) is no longer in business. > > > > I can't get any upgrades, because the MS website is detecting a non-valid > > copy of XP, which I suspect is the one that is not the default, which the > > machine normally operates on. > > > > Anyone have an idea how I can (1) determine which installation is the one > > that's normally loading, and (2) how to get rid of it without (3) having to > > pop for $150 for an all new installation and possibly lose all my > > data/settings, etc. > > > > Help? > > > > > > > > Hi Nolan, > > First thing to do is try both by selecting one, seeing if it's the > "correct" one, rebooting and then selecting the other. Make note which > is the correct one. Maybe the other one won't even boot, you never > know. If so, just turn the machine off, wait 5-10 seconds and start it > again. > > Then boot into the default (if you make no selections and let it load by > itself). From there, right click on My Computer, and select Manage, > then click on Disk Management which is under Storage. How many disks do > you have (describe here)? How many partitions are listed (name them all). > > Next right click again on My Computer and select Properties, Advanced > tab, click the Settings button under Startup and Recovery. Click the > Edit button under System startup. Press Ctrl-A to select everything and > then Ctrl-C to copy the info. Paste it into a reply here and report back. > > > -- > Terry R. > > ***Reply Note*** > Anti-spam measures are included in my email address. > Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply. >
Guest Terry R. Posted October 24, 2008 Posted October 24, 2008 Re: Double installation of XP The date and time was 10/24/2008 9:22 AM, and on a whim, Nolan pounded out on the keyboard: > Sheepish and more than a bit puzzled, Nolan replied: > > Um, well, somewhere along the way the errant installation disappeared.... > When I went to OS selection, XP Pro was the only one there ....? > > But the one that's left still fails validation. > > Just for the record, there are two drives listed (correct): Disk 0, C:, > 37.26 GB, NTFS, 1 partition,(System); and Disk 1, D:, 9.56 GB, NTFS, 1 > partition, (Active). > > System startup is: > [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 > > When I attempt validation on the MS website, I put in the key that Keyfinder > returned (the doofi at the now-defunct shop didn't put a key sticker on when > they installed it) but the site times out without giving me a reply. > > So did I just get sold a pirated copy and am now in S.O.L. mode, or are > there other steps I can take?? > > "Terry R." wrote: > >> The date and time was 10/23/2008 2:06 PM, and on a whim, Nolan pounded >> out on the keyboard: >> >>> During startup, when I hit the key (I can't remember which one it is at the >>> moment) to do a step-by-step startup, my computer goes to the 'select >>> operating system' screen, which shows TWO installations of XP. >>> >>> This evidently happened when I took it to the shop a few years ago for an >>> upgrade from ME. I don't know what the &*^$# they did, but evidently they >>> managed to install both a valid and a non-valid copy. I just recently >>> discovered this, and that shop (surprise) is no longer in business. >>> >>> I can't get any upgrades, because the MS website is detecting a non-valid >>> copy of XP, which I suspect is the one that is not the default, which the >>> machine normally operates on. >>> >>> Anyone have an idea how I can (1) determine which installation is the one >>> that's normally loading, and (2) how to get rid of it without (3) having to >>> pop for $150 for an all new installation and possibly lose all my >>> data/settings, etc. >>> >>> Help? >>> >>> >>> >> Hi Nolan, >> >> First thing to do is try both by selecting one, seeing if it's the >> "correct" one, rebooting and then selecting the other. Make note which >> is the correct one. Maybe the other one won't even boot, you never >> know. If so, just turn the machine off, wait 5-10 seconds and start it >> again. >> >> Then boot into the default (if you make no selections and let it load by >> itself). From there, right click on My Computer, and select Manage, >> then click on Disk Management which is under Storage. How many disks do >> you have (describe here)? How many partitions are listed (name them all). >> >> Next right click again on My Computer and select Properties, Advanced >> tab, click the Settings button under Startup and Recovery. Click the >> Edit button under System startup. Press Ctrl-A to select everything and >> then Ctrl-C to copy the info. Paste it into a reply here and report back. >> >> >> Hi Nolan, What is on the D: drive? Open My Computer and see. You may very well had a bootleg copy of XP installed. If so you won't have any choice but purchase a license if you want to have any further updates. Or you can live with it as it is until you finally need a new computer. Depending on you computer needs, maybe a Linux distro would fill your OS requirements. Either way, I would get an external backup and make sure you have regular backup copies of all your data. -- Terry R. ***Reply Note*** Anti-spam measures are included in my email address. Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.
Guest Nolan Posted October 24, 2008 Posted October 24, 2008 Re: Double installation of XP "Terry R." wrote: > The date and time was 10/24/2008 9:22 AM, and on a whim, Nolan pounded > out on the keyboard: > > > Sheepish and more than a bit puzzled, Nolan replied: > > > > Um, well, somewhere along the way the errant installation disappeared.... > > When I went to OS selection, XP Pro was the only one there ....? > > > > But the one that's left still fails validation. > > > > Just for the record, there are two drives listed (correct): Disk 0, C:, > > 37.26 GB, NTFS, 1 partition,(System); and Disk 1, D:, 9.56 GB, NTFS, 1 > > partition, (Active). > > > > System startup is: > > [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 > > > > When I attempt validation on the MS website, I put in the key that Keyfinder > > returned (the doofi at the now-defunct shop didn't put a key sticker on when > > they installed it) but the site times out without giving me a reply. > > > > So did I just get sold a pirated copy and am now in S.O.L. mode, or are > > there other steps I can take?? > > > > "Terry R." wrote: > > > >> The date and time was 10/23/2008 2:06 PM, and on a whim, Nolan pounded > >> out on the keyboard: > >> > >>> During startup, when I hit the key (I can't remember which one it is at the > >>> moment) to do a step-by-step startup, my computer goes to the 'select > >>> operating system' screen, which shows TWO installations of XP. > >>> > >>> This evidently happened when I took it to the shop a few years ago for an > >>> upgrade from ME. I don't know what the &*^$# they did, but evidently they > >>> managed to install both a valid and a non-valid copy. I just recently > >>> discovered this, and that shop (surprise) is no longer in business. > >>> > >>> I can't get any upgrades, because the MS website is detecting a non-valid > >>> copy of XP, which I suspect is the one that is not the default, which the > >>> machine normally operates on. > >>> > >>> Anyone have an idea how I can (1) determine which installation is the one > >>> that's normally loading, and (2) how to get rid of it without (3) having to > >>> pop for $150 for an all new installation and possibly lose all my > >>> data/settings, etc. > >>> > >>> Help? > >>> > >>> > >>> > >> Hi Nolan, > >> > >> First thing to do is try both by selecting one, seeing if it's the > >> "correct" one, rebooting and then selecting the other. Make note which > >> is the correct one. Maybe the other one won't even boot, you never > >> know. If so, just turn the machine off, wait 5-10 seconds and start it > >> again. > >> > >> Then boot into the default (if you make no selections and let it load by > >> itself). From there, right click on My Computer, and select Manage, > >> then click on Disk Management which is under Storage. How many disks do > >> you have (describe here)? How many partitions are listed (name them all). > >> > >> Next right click again on My Computer and select Properties, Advanced > >> tab, click the Settings button under Startup and Recovery. Click the > >> Edit button under System startup. Press Ctrl-A to select everything and > >> then Ctrl-C to copy the info. Paste it into a reply here and report back. > >> > >> > >> > > Hi Nolan, > > What is on the D: drive? Open My Computer and see. > > You may very well had a bootleg copy of XP installed. If so you won't > have any choice but purchase a license if you want to have any further > updates. Or you can live with it as it is until you finally need a new > computer. > > Depending on you computer needs, maybe a Linux distro would fill your OS > requirements. > > Either way, I would get an external backup and make sure you have > regular backup copies of all your data. > > -- > Terry R. > > ***Reply Note*** > Anti-spam measures are included in my email address. > Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply. > <sigh> Thanks. D drive is the old drive we had in with ME on it - the job the shop did was to dump our data to an external drive, format the old one, install a 40 gig, install XP and restore our data - we just had them stick the old 10 gig back in as a slave for extra storage. Guess I'll go OS shopping. -Nolan
Guest Terry R. Posted October 24, 2008 Posted October 24, 2008 Re: Double installation of XP The date and time was 10/24/2008 3:10 PM, and on a whim, Nolan pounded out on the keyboard: > > "Terry R." wrote: > >> The date and time was 10/24/2008 9:22 AM, and on a whim, Nolan pounded >> out on the keyboard: >> >>> Sheepish and more than a bit puzzled, Nolan replied: >>> >>> Um, well, somewhere along the way the errant installation disappeared.... >>> When I went to OS selection, XP Pro was the only one there ....? >>> >>> But the one that's left still fails validation. >>> >>> Just for the record, there are two drives listed (correct): Disk 0, C:, >>> 37.26 GB, NTFS, 1 partition,(System); and Disk 1, D:, 9.56 GB, NTFS, 1 >>> partition, (Active). >>> >>> System startup is: >>> [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 >>> >>> When I attempt validation on the MS website, I put in the key that Keyfinder >>> returned (the doofi at the now-defunct shop didn't put a key sticker on when >>> they installed it) but the site times out without giving me a reply. >>> >>> So did I just get sold a pirated copy and am now in S.O.L. mode, or are >>> there other steps I can take?? >>> >>> "Terry R." wrote: >>> >>>> The date and time was 10/23/2008 2:06 PM, and on a whim, Nolan pounded >>>> out on the keyboard: >>>> >>>>> During startup, when I hit the key (I can't remember which one it is at the >>>>> moment) to do a step-by-step startup, my computer goes to the 'select >>>>> operating system' screen, which shows TWO installations of XP. >>>>> >>>>> This evidently happened when I took it to the shop a few years ago for an >>>>> upgrade from ME. I don't know what the &*^$# they did, but evidently they >>>>> managed to install both a valid and a non-valid copy. I just recently >>>>> discovered this, and that shop (surprise) is no longer in business. >>>>> >>>>> I can't get any upgrades, because the MS website is detecting a non-valid >>>>> copy of XP, which I suspect is the one that is not the default, which the >>>>> machine normally operates on. >>>>> >>>>> Anyone have an idea how I can (1) determine which installation is the one >>>>> that's normally loading, and (2) how to get rid of it without (3) having to >>>>> pop for $150 for an all new installation and possibly lose all my >>>>> data/settings, etc. >>>>> >>>>> Help? >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>> Hi Nolan, >>>> >>>> First thing to do is try both by selecting one, seeing if it's the >>>> "correct" one, rebooting and then selecting the other. Make note which >>>> is the correct one. Maybe the other one won't even boot, you never >>>> know. If so, just turn the machine off, wait 5-10 seconds and start it >>>> again. >>>> >>>> Then boot into the default (if you make no selections and let it load by >>>> itself). From there, right click on My Computer, and select Manage, >>>> then click on Disk Management which is under Storage. How many disks do >>>> you have (describe here)? How many partitions are listed (name them all). >>>> >>>> Next right click again on My Computer and select Properties, Advanced >>>> tab, click the Settings button under Startup and Recovery. Click the >>>> Edit button under System startup. Press Ctrl-A to select everything and >>>> then Ctrl-C to copy the info. Paste it into a reply here and report back. >>>> >>>> >>>> >> Hi Nolan, >> >> What is on the D: drive? Open My Computer and see. >> >> You may very well had a bootleg copy of XP installed. If so you won't >> have any choice but purchase a license if you want to have any further >> updates. Or you can live with it as it is until you finally need a new >> computer. >> >> Depending on you computer needs, maybe a Linux distro would fill your OS >> requirements. >> >> Either way, I would get an external backup and make sure you have >> regular backup copies of all your data. >> >> > > <sigh> Thanks. D drive is the old drive we had in with ME on it - the job > the shop did was to dump our data to an external drive, format the old one, > install a 40 gig, install XP and restore our data - we just had them stick > the old 10 gig back in as a slave for extra storage. Guess I'll go OS > shopping. > > -Nolan > Well, it's still working, so you could just continue as you have been until your next upgrade. As long as you have a good AV & firewall (good free ones available), you should be able to have it last a while. Good luck, -- Terry R. ***Reply Note*** Anti-spam measures are included in my email address. Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.
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