Reformatting Question. Feedback will be greatly appreciated.

FZR22 · 10-23-2004, 01:49 AM

Reformatted my XP machine from Dell and installed Windows 2000. However, when I restart, it asks me to choose what OS I want to boot in (some sort of dual boot, which is not what I want!).

On top of that, if I choose to boot in XP, it says there's some sort of configuration problem and the machine just freezes. Booting into 2000 seems fine however...

Please help. Thank you in advance for your attention.

Agent Plissken · 10-23-2004, 03:15 AM

Did you actually do a clean format of the hard drive, or just reinstall windows? If you did a full format (not quick format) and it still did what you say it did, then maybe its some proprietary dell crap... but im just guessing.

Markel · 10-23-2004, 08:15 AM

Boot to 2000. Then edit C:\Boot.ini (you may have to configure Explorer to show hidden files, and turn off the read-only attribute). Edit out the line about Windows XP. Save the file.

Alternate method: Control Panel / System / Advanced / Startup and Recovery / Settings / Edit -- delete the XP line and save

I have seen settings in Boot.ini persist over a boot from CD, delete partition, reformat, and clean install of the OS.

xcgames · 10-23-2004, 10:03 AM

Yea you didnt clean the old win xp boot record. Most likely cause is not a complete reformat.

FZR22 · 10-23-2004, 11:04 AM

Thank you for your help everyone. I have a feeling that it's some residue Dell crap.

"Pretty" certain that I did the full reformat (bear with me, I'm somewhat of a novice, only my 4th time reformatting. But I'm not doing anything different from before and I've been sucessful in the past).

During install, at one of those first screens where it lists my partitioned and unpartitioned space, there was only one item that said "unpartitioned space" and the size of my drive. And that was where I installed 2000...Did I mess that up??

cruelpupet · 10-23-2004, 08:21 PM

when your installing XP (where you pick the partition ot install to)...delete and recreate the partition..that should solve it.

Markel · 10-23-2004, 08:28 PM

As I said, I have seen very specific information in the Boot.ini survive over a C: partition delete, re-creation, reformat, and installation. MS does some strange stuff sometimes.

FZR22 · 10-23-2004, 09:28 PM

Thanks for the help guys. Peace

10-23-2004, 01:49 AM	#1
FZR22 Ensign Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 37	Reformatting Question. Feedback will be greatly appreciated. Reformatted my XP machine from Dell and installed Windows 2000. However, when I restart, it asks me to choose what OS I want to boot in (some sort of dual boot, which is not what I want!). On top of that, if I choose to boot in XP, it says there's some sort of configuration problem and the machine just freezes. Booting into 2000 seems fine however... Please help. Thank you in advance for your attention.

10-23-2004, 03:15 AM	#2
Agent Plissken Commander Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Montgomery Posts: 1,264	Did you actually do a clean format of the hard drive, or just reinstall windows? If you did a full format (not quick format) and it still did what you say it did, then maybe its some proprietary dell crap... but im just guessing. __________________ Dyin' ain't much of a living, boy

10-23-2004, 08:15 AM	#3
Markel Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 11,733	Boot to 2000. Then edit C:\Boot.ini (you may have to configure Explorer to show hidden files, and turn off the read-only attribute). Edit out the line about Windows XP. Save the file. Alternate method: Control Panel / System / Advanced / Startup and Recovery / Settings / Edit -- delete the XP line and save I have seen settings in Boot.ini persist over a boot from CD, delete partition, reformat, and clean install of the OS. __________________ stay low... keep moving...

10-23-2004, 10:03 AM	#4
xcgames Ensign Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Pasadena, CA Posts: 40	Yea you didnt clean the old win xp boot record. Most likely cause is not a complete reformat. __________________ Thermaltake Tsunami case X-connect 500Watts PSU D865PERLL mobo 3.4GHz Northwood 1GB XMS Corsair 2-2-2-5 PNY Verto Geforce 6800GT 256MB 500GB SATA HD storage & 74GB raptor boot Viewsonic 19' VX900 LCD Logitec Z-680 5.1 500Watts Unbranded 40X cd-rom

10-23-2004, 11:04 AM	#5
FZR22 Ensign Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 37	Thank you for your help everyone. I have a feeling that it's some residue Dell crap. "Pretty" certain that I did the full reformat (bear with me, I'm somewhat of a novice, only my 4th time reformatting. But I'm not doing anything different from before and I've been sucessful in the past). During install, at one of those first screens where it lists my partitioned and unpartitioned space, there was only one item that said "unpartitioned space" and the size of my drive. And that was where I installed 2000...Did I mess that up?? Last edited by FZR22 : 10-23-2004 at 11:09 AM.

10-23-2004, 08:21 PM	#6
cruelpupet Admiral Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: NYC Posts: 6,302	when your installing XP (where you pick the partition ot install to)...delete and recreate the partition..that should solve it. __________________ Am I alone here? Is that it? Am I the only one who sees. Maybe we can learn to be just like him. Wear a little uniform. Yes, sir. No, sir. Thank you, sir.

10-23-2004, 08:28 PM	#7
Markel Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 11,733	As I said, I have seen very specific information in the Boot.ini survive over a C: partition delete, re-creation, reformat, and installation. MS does some strange stuff sometimes.

10-23-2004, 09:28 PM	#8
FZR22 Ensign Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 37	Thanks for the help guys. Peace

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