Double installation of XP

[Guest Nolan]

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]

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.]

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]

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]

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.]

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]

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.]

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.