OT: FROM FAMINE TO FEAST-WinXP

Kennymusicman wrote on 3/5/2008, 5:39 AM

Do you actually have
a) 2 different boot options/installs, or...
b) do both selections take you to same destination?
c) one work and the other not?

If b or c, it's simply a casea of editing the boot ini - caution it noted in doing so, but that's essentially all there is to it.
If a, you can either manually delete one of the Os's and boot, or, if you've not got too far into installing, start afresh, now knowing how to handle the previous experiences you had (and this time, select quick-format on setup screen!).

Jay Gladwell wrote on 3/5/2008, 5:54 AM

Kenny, when I select the second OS the following appears:

"Windows could not start because of a computer disk hardware configuration problem.

"Could not read from the selected boot disk. Check path and disk hardware."

And then more info on checking the Windows install guidelines.

At one point I had tried to install Windows to the SATA drive (when I was having the earlier problems installing Windows). That drive is now disconnected. maybe that's what it's looking for.

UlfLaursen wrote on 3/5/2008, 6:00 AM

maybe that's what it's looking for

Could be, I would guess.

It's always a pain to have OS install trouble, but I think I would start over from scratch, allthoug it is a pain... You risk getting into more trouble if the install is corrupted somehow.

/Ulf

Jay Gladwell wrote on 3/5/2008, 6:11 AM

If that's the case, how would reinstalling the OS on the drive it's on now change the problem with the disconnected SATA drive?

Bill Ravens wrote on 3/5/2008, 6:35 AM

Jay...

It's really hard to tell from your post where your problems are. I suspect that you never installed the SATA drivers during your install process.

Assuming you're using WinXP pro, repeat your install process. When you come to the part where it asks you if there are any third party drivers you want to install, hit the right key to say yes. Then, go to your mobo install disk and find the sata drivers. You'll need to write the drivers to a floppy disk to insert when windows asks for it.

After this is done, reformat all your drives before you install winxp.

Complicated answer...but, it's a complicated question.

craftech wrote on 3/5/2008, 6:36 AM

Use notepad to open the file c:\boot.ini.

Get rid of the entry that doesn't work under the [operating systems] section.

Ensure that the entry against "default=" in the first section matches the one that works (first one).

It should look something like this (don't copy this though):
[boot loader]
timeout=10
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partiti...
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\Wi... Windows XP Pro" /fastdetect

John

Jay Gladwell wrote on 3/5/2008, 6:59 AM

Bill, the MB didn't come with an install disk--an oversight on someone's part. I've just discovered this is the case (bought MB back in Sept).

Jay Gladwell wrote on 3/5/2008, 7:01 AM

John, here is what the boot.ini file contains:

"[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 /NoExecute=OptIn
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(3)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect"

I dare not presume which is the faulty one.

Bill Ravens wrote on 3/5/2008, 7:41 AM

Jay...

You can go to the mobo manufacturer's website and download drivers.

craftech wrote on 3/5/2008, 7:47 AM

John, here is what the boot.ini file contains:

"[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 /NoExecute=OptIn
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(3)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect"

I dare not presume which is the faulty one.

==============
Default= tells the correct boot drive.

The drive that you boot from by default is rdisk(0). It should show up in the menu when you start the computer. One should say rdisk(0) and the other rdisk(3). I assume rdisk(0) is the one that is booting correctly.

When you have two hard disks on channel 0, two on channel 1: channel 0 master=rdisk(0), channel 0 slave=rdisk(2), channel 1 drive master=rdisk(1), channel 1 slave=rdisk(3) The disconnected SATA drive was rdisk(3) most likely configured as a slave on Channel 1.

Another way to edit this is explained in Microsoft article 306559.
Specifying the Default Operating System for Startup

John

R0cky wrote on 3/5/2008, 7:51 AM

Jay, when you boot and you get a choice of 2 different XP's to start, make note of whether it's the first or second one that works.

If the second one works, delete the first line of these 2:

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(3)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect"

And the reverse of course. If the first listed when booting works delete the second line.

Before saving and rebooting (IMPORTANT) make sure that this line matches the one you kept:

default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS

The numbers in the parentheses should match the line you kept. This tells the boot loader which disk and partition to use to load windows.

Rocky

craftech wrote on 3/6/2008, 6:21 AM

So Jay,

How did you make out?

John

Jay Gladwell wrote on 3/6/2008, 6:37 AM

Sorry for not getting back to you...

I wound up pulling the old HD and using a new "fresh" one--larger, too. I also used a newer version of WinXP for the install.

Now, I'm going through the process of reloading all my apps.

My sincere thanks to everyone for their input and suggestions.

craftech wrote on 3/6/2008, 6:58 AM

Happy everything worked out for you Jay.

John