Tom's Hardware > Forum > Windows XP > Configuration & Customize > Xp boot problems with 2 drives
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simonPublic   09-16-2009 at 11:28:58 AM

Hi all

I have pc running xp x64 edition with 2 sata drives installed.
1st drive holds os, 2nd drive hold My Docs.

Originally, the drives were in 2 pc's.
I have reformatted both and installed in a single pc.
Installed xp on 1st drive, 2 drive holds My Docs.

Everything was working fine until I installed asrock cool n quiet.

Now, when i boot up, I get an os choice menu:
Windows XP x64 edition OR
Windows XP (Default).

If I select Windows xp x64 edition, all is ok.
If I select windows (default), then the boot fails with a missing file ntldr.

This is not a major problem, as i can always select the correct os. But annoyingly, if I forget and walk away from the pc whilst booting, the it auto selects the incorrect os.

any ideas? many thanks

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btk1w1   09-16-2009 at 03:18:41 PM
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Modify the boot.ini file so there is only the OS you want to boot to... there is only the XP x64?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/289022

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btk1w1   09-16-2009 at 03:22:07 PM
- 0 +

Observe the back-up advice and remove the correct line referencing the added boot item.

You will recognise which one you don't want.

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simonPublic   09-17-2009 at 03:05:33 PM
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Oh dfear - boot.ini only contains 1 entry - for xp x64 edition.
weird, eh!
any other ideas?

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simonPublic   09-17-2009 at 03:08:48 PM
- 0 +

boot.ini is this:

[Boot Loader]
timeout=30
Default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS /usepmtimer
[Operating Systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows XP Professional x64 Edition" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect /usepmtimer

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btk1w1   09-17-2009 at 03:30:41 PM
- 0 +

OK... another way is to use a third party utility to edit the windows boot loader.

EasyBCD is a very popular option:

http://neosmart.net/dl.php?id=1

A screenshot of what to look for:

http://neosmart.net/gallery/v/neos [...] s.png.html

Reply to btk1w1
simonPublic   09-18-2009 at 07:21:10 PM
- 0 +

Hi and thanks.

I made a mistake in my original post, but I don't think it makes a difference.
The missing file is ntoskrnl.exe

Easybcd download failed to run - not ure if its a x64 bit edition problem, or I downloaded vista version.
Looking for an alternative - but as per boot.ini, there is only one entry listed anyway.

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