Removing entry from dual boot

[JayCee6828]

Windows XP Professional SP3

 

I have deleted the partition I had Win 7 RC in and also my Ubuntu files.

 

I understand that you have to edit the boot.ini file to remove the entries on the dual boot 'menu'

 

This worked fine for the Ubuntu entry, that was deleted but I can't find any mention of Win 7 in the boot.ini file so when my machine boots it still automatically lists Win 7 as the first choice and has an entry 'previous windows version' which I choose to boot into XP.

 

I need to get rid of the Win 7 entry as if I am not at the computer when it boots then it automatically chooses Win 7 and keeps restarting the computer as it can't (obviously) find that system.

 

Any advice on how to get rid of the entry would be welcome.

[Jelly Bean]

Hello there.

 

Go to your "Start" menu and click on "Run". Type "msconfig" into the text box and press Enter.

 

Under boot tab is Win 7 listed?

 

If it is delete it.

 

You may need your XP install disk to later run sfc /scannow while logged into windows in command prompt.

 

Or possibly:

 

Have you tried using your XP full install disk and booting into recovery console with command prompt and tried the command fixboot?

[JayCee6828]

Looked at the boot.ini file in msconfig and win7 is not listed it simply says:

[boot loader]

timeout=15

multi(0)disk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional"/FASTDETECT/USEPMTIMER

 

I don't have any of my discs, they have long since disappeared!

 

Any more options?

[Jelly Bean]

When you start your computer is it giving options to logon to XP and Win 7 or just XP?

[JayCee6828]

At the very start after the usual memory tests and whatever else all those numbers mean it then displays a choice of 'Windows 7' and 'Earlier version of windows' and Windows 7 is highlighted as the default choice.

 

You have to move up to 'earlier version of Windows' and select that.

 

The machine then boots into XP.

 

Previously this second step displayed a choice of 'Windows XP Professional' and 'Ubuntu' with the XP selected as the default but obviously I could choose either choice.

 

I removed Ubuntu from my computer and edited the boot.ini file, taking out the reference to Ubuntu so that this step is now bypassed and XP loads by default.

 

I tried to do the same for the Windows 7 entry but that is not actually listed in the boot.ini file.

 

Of course this is not a huge problem as it just means I have to make sure I wait while the machine is booting till I have made the choice, but it is an annoying irritation that increasingly I don't seem able to make this Windows machine do as I want it to rather than as the machine seems to think I should want it to.

[JayCee6828]

As a PS to my previous post I have suddenly realised that the screen display when I am offered Win 7 or an earlier version of Windows is from Windows 7 rather than the normal boot windows given by the machine as the font and layout are much clearer - this would seem to indicate that there is a rogue file from Win 7 left laying about somewhere although I have deleted the partition it was in and reformatted it, and also merged it back into my main partition.

 

Does this info help at all?

[Jelly Bean]

Hey Jay you need to edit the boot.ini I am trying to find a link that is easy to follow.

 

However the XP disk would of been a good idea to use.

[Jelly Bean]

Jay here you go a link on how to remove Win 7 from a dual boot.

 

How to Uninstall and Remove Windows 7 or Vista Leaving Windows XP on Dual Boot System My Digital Life

[JayCee6828]

Thanks Jelly.....

 

I have already tried all thoose sort of things I could find on the web before I tried this site.

 

The trouble is I deleted the partition I had Win 7 in and reformatted it before editing the boot ini file; the boot ini file that now exists does not mention Win 7.

 

What I have now done, by trial and a lot of error, is dleted the boot ini file completely and now when the machine boots it says that the boot.ini file is corrupt and that it is going to boot from Windows; it then does boot straight into XP.

 

So I guess I can live with that error as it only flashes up very quickly and so far, touch wood, the machine appears to be working quite normally.

 

Thanks so much for all your help, I have already recommended your site to another friend.

[Jelly Bean]

So you got an error but you can still login to XP.

 

Realy to repair the XP you would need the install disk.

 

And thankyou for recommending your friend.

 

:)