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Multiple Windows

Started by bigdog1100 , Feb 02 2012 08:45 PM

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14 replies to this topic

#1 bigdog1100

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Posted 02 February 2012 - 08:45 PM

Hi. I have a computer, it is old but I like it. I has 3 different WIndows XP installed. I know which one I want to use when I get asked in DOS. But I don't know which one is it when Windows loads. So my question is, how can I recognize active Windows, and how can I delete/remove other versions permanently?

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#2 Andrew

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Posted 02 February 2012 - 08:59 PM

Try this:

Go to Start then click on Run... Type in msconfig and click OK

In the resulting System Configuration Utility window, click on the BOOT.INI tab.

Click the Check all Boot Paths button to, well, check all boot paths:
Posted Image

Edited by Andrew, 02 February 2012 - 09:00 PM.

Help us help you. If HelpBot replies, you MUST follow step 1 in its reply so we know you need help.

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#3 hamluis

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Posted 03 February 2012 - 08:32 AM

Also...

If you have multiple installs, there is only one which is the default. That is the one which the system boots into when you do not make a choice at the boot options screen.

The other two...have to be deliberately chosen by you for the system to boot into theme...so I really don't know why there should or could be any confusion on your part.

Each install will have it's own folder and...if properly installed...its own Windows partition.

If you have somehow made multiple installs on the same partition, then each will have its own folder on that partition. The original folder will just be titled "Windows", while the other two would be titled "Windows1" or something like that.

For multiple installs on same partition, see Two XP Installs On Same Partition, #20 (Stevens) - http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/xpfaq.html#20 .

Louis

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#4 bigdog1100

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Posted 07 February 2012 - 09:21 AM

So how do I remove the ones I don't need?

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#5 hamluis

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Posted 07 February 2012 - 09:49 AM

Post a pic from Disk Management (while in the install you want to keep), please...in your next reply.

How To Capture And Edit A Screen Shot, LH - http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic43088.html/page__gopid__2493350

Louis

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#6 rotor123

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Posted 07 February 2012 - 01:43 PM

One other possibility.

Have you ever done repair installs. That can leave extra windows selections showing at startup.

My next Upgrade, USB 3 on my remaining desktop. The only External storage devices I currently Buy are USB3 devices

How Does a computer get Infected? http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/2520/how-did-i-get-infected/

My first Computer had a Whopping 16K of memory @ 0.89MHz. My first hard drive held 20 Megabytes and never filled up.
My Oldest Motherboard and Hard Drive are a 80286 @ 8Mhz and a Seagate 20 Megabyte MFM drive.

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#7 bigdog1100

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Posted 08 February 2012 - 11:00 PM

Here it is. So all Windows is on one disk. So do I just delete directory or what is the way to remove the other versions properly? http://justpaste.it/q7t

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#8 bigdog1100

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Posted 08 February 2012 - 11:02 PM

.

Edited by bigdog1100, 09 February 2012 - 01:09 AM.

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#9 hamluis

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Posted 09 February 2012 - 07:50 AM

First...let's try this. following the steps listed under Resolution.

Removing the invalid entries from Boot.ini - http://windowsxp.mvps.org/bootopt.htm

Then reboot the system.

Let us know if you still think that there are multiple Windows installed.

After system reboots, go to Explorer view...tell us how many folders you see which are named "Windows" or "Windows" followed by a number.

Louis

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#10 bigdog1100

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Posted 09 February 2012 - 09:52 AM

I get a message that all boot.ini lines are ok. So I don't get an option to remove anything. I do, in fact, have three folders with Windows. My main (default) is "Window". Then there are two I want removed "Windows" and "Windows2". Can I just delete those folders and edit boot.ini file? Will that take care of my concern?

Edited by bigdog1100, 09 February 2012 - 09:55 AM.

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#11 hamluis

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Posted 09 February 2012 - 10:01 AM

If you have 3 folders...boot into the install you want to keep...and simply delete the other two Windows folders.

Of course...make sure that you are in the right install...and delete the unwanted folders.

Once that is done, simply go through the procedures outlined previously for invalid boot entries and it will eliminate such.

Louis

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#12 bigdog1100

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Posted 09 February 2012 - 10:11 AM

Sounds good. Will do. Thank you.

Edited by bigdog1100, 09 February 2012 - 10:11 AM.

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#13 bigdog1100

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Posted 12 April 2012 - 10:56 PM

Ok I did Msconfig, found some invalid entrees and removed. I also deleted two Windows I don't need. I still see 3 entries, and all of them load the same Windows. Please help. Thanks.

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#14 rotor123

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Posted 13 April 2012 - 09:34 AM

A couple of ways if you are sure they all load the same windows?

Go into the Boot.ini section of MsConfig
The other method is to right click on My Computer, choose "properties"
Choose "Advanced"
Then you should be in the "Advanced" Tab
choose "Startup & Recovery"
"Settings" Tab
Then "Default Operating System"
It will Show Windows Xp....
you can change the "time to display list of operating systems down to Zero and you'll never see the list again. I usually set it to 1 second just in case.

Good Luck
Roger

My next Upgrade, USB 3 on my remaining desktop. The only External storage devices I currently Buy are USB3 devices

How Does a computer get Infected? http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/2520/how-did-i-get-infected/

My first Computer had a Whopping 16K of memory @ 0.89MHz. My first hard drive held 20 Megabytes and never filled up.
My Oldest Motherboard and Hard Drive are a 80286 @ 8Mhz and a Seagate 20 Megabyte MFM drive.

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