Multi Windows XP

Itshim · 11-10-2006, 10:18

Have been given my daughters old PC it runs Windows XP home.

When I switch on it offers it (XP) 4 times asking which I want.
1st works fine

next 3 say windows root >system32\hal.dll files is missing or corrupt re install copy of the above. Clearly I dont need to 1st works fine. Question can I & if so how remove what ever is causing this message.
Please any answer in simple terms ! I can live with being treated as a idiot.

Thanks

Cobbydaler · 11-10-2006, 10:23

Can you open the file c:\boot.ini in notepad & post the contents?

You'll have to enable show hidden files to see it...

11-10-2006, 10:31

start then run type msconfig click boot.ini and click check all boot paths.If it says some cant be found just allow it to delete this entry.
Or to open it without showing hidden files enter control panel then system advanced start up and recovery under system start up click the edit button and your boot ini will show

Cobby not only will you have to tick show hidden files you will also need to untick show protected operating system files

Graham M · 11-10-2006, 10:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by zinglebarb

Cobby not only will you have to tick show hidden files you will also need to untick show protected operating system files

I think you mean Untick "Hide Protected Operating System Files" I always do these things on a clean install of Windows anyway myself

Xaccers · 11-10-2006, 10:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeph

I think you mean Untick "Hide Protected Operating System Files" I always do these things on a clean install of Windows anyway myself

Wish there was a single "I'm not a numpty" setting in XP which did all that for you

Graham M · 11-10-2006, 11:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xaccers

Wish there was a single "I'm not a numpty" setting in XP which did all that for you

LoL

Yeah that'd be good

crushednutts · 11-10-2006, 11:47

Try this,
Right-click "My Computer" icon,
select "Properties",
select Advanced tab,
select the "Settings" button on Startup and recovery panel at bottom,
Clicking the "Edit" button on "System startup" panel at top,
this opens Boot.ini in Notepad.

Crush..

11-10-2006, 11:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by crushednutts

Try this,
Right-click "My Computer" icon,
select "Properties",
select Advanced tab,
select the "Settings" button on Startup and recovery panel at bottom,
Clicking the "Edit" button on "System startup" panel at top,
this opens Boot.ini in Notepad.

Crush..

the forum yes thats another way of doing the same thing

---------- Post added at 10:56 ---------- Previous post was at 10:56 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeph

I think you mean Untick "Hide Protected Operating System Files" I always do these things on a clean install of Windows anyway myself

Yeah thats what I ment lol

Problem I foresee here is that someone in there wisdom may have installed windows multiple times to the same drive and this is where it gets messy.
If when following my first method which is what I would advise because opening the boot ini file will only show you where the system is set to look for operating systems.The msconfig route will show you if the other entries are valid or not.
If more than one of these are valid the op needs to check the paths.

Itshim · 11-10-2006, 15:50

"Problem I foresee here is that someone in there wisdom may have installed windows multiple times to the same drive and this is where it gets messy."

I am 99% sure that is what has happened in the past. Sorry but what does the last line mean. Yep I that stupid. The m/c is not yet set up for Broadband. Its on order. Would like to sort this before it is set up.

Thanks again

Graham M · 11-10-2006, 15:53

Paste the contents of c:\boot.ini here and let us have a gander

Itshim · 11-10-2006, 15:57

Will have to wait ! as I said it aint this PC. Will try zinglebarb answer tonight & see what happens!

Graham M · 11-10-2006, 15:58

Okey Dokey Bob.

Itshim · 12-10-2006, 09:11

Thanks guys problem gone