Member Avatar for Member #851298 
[Boot Loader]
Timeout=5
Default=C:\$WIN_NT$.~BT\BOOTSECT.DAT
[Operating Systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect
C:\$WIN_NT$.~BT\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows XP Professional Setup"

This is my current boot.ini and it has some history. Once I was trying to re-install xp from desktop (while desktop is open) by clicking and running the cd. It performed necessary steps and as usual it asked for a re-start (to perform the rest of xp installation) after a restart somehow it failed.

Now I can run xp without any trouble except one thing occurs in start up. Even though CD aint inserted, in start up after POST two option comes

"Windoes XP professional"
"Windoes XP professional setup" (selected in default) and if I don't change it and press enter on Windoes XP professional within some seconds (4/5 secs) it shows "setup inspecting hardware config..." and then nothing happens and black screen remains forever. You can say, it because I didn't insert the cd, well even if cd is inserted, no luck same result. setup is inspecting the fu**ing hardware config and then it fades away and nothing else.

Right now my xp is fine so I don't want a re-installation. So I was thinking about boot.ini, and saw this. This is little usual than I saw in past or seeing possible boot.ini in microsoft website.

Any help to get rid of "Windoes XP professional"
"Windoes XP professional setup" two option? and loading just xp automatically?

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by Member #851298

Dani AI

Generated

Short summary and safe fix additions (for )

What happened: running Setup from inside a live XP session places a temporary installer boot loader and an extra boot-menu entry so the install continues after restart. If the upgrade aborted mid-way the temporary entry stays and will try to launch Setup on each boot, which is why you see the “setup…inspecting hardware…” message and then hang.

Extra, safe steps to finish the cleanup (complements ’s advice):

  • Back up the current boot file before changing anything. From an elevated Command Prompt remove the hidden/system flags, copy a backup, then restore attributes afterwards if you like:
    attrib -R -S -H C:\boot.ini
copy C:\boot.ini C:\boot.ini.bak
  • Edit boot.ini carefully (use Notepad or the Boot tab in msconfig). Remove the installer entry so only your normal Windows entry remains, then save and restore attributes:
    notepad C:\boot.ini
attrib +R +S +H C:\boot.ini
  • Remove the installer temp folder (it’s hidden/system). Make it visible and delete it from an elevated prompt:
    attrib -R -S -H "C:\$WIN_NT$.~BT" /S /D
rmdir /S /Q "C:\$WIN_NT$.~BT"

Reboot and confirm Windows starts directly. If the system will not boot or the menu still appears, use the Recovery Console to run bootcfg /rebuild to recreate a clean boot.ini, then run chkdsk /r and sfc /scannow to check disk and system file health.

Cautions: don’t delete the temp folder if you actually intend to continue the install. Always keep the backup copy of boot.ini until you’re sure the machine boots normally.

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Member Avatar for gerbil

Safi, the default is the boot.ini of Setup, the one it makes for itself when it is organising its restart. That the default option fails with cd inserted means some of its files already copied are corrupt; don't run Setup from an existing Windows installation...
anyway, to fix your boot.ini so that you start XP Pro normally just change it to this:

[Boot Loader]
Timeout=5
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" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect

Easiest way is CP > System > Advanced tab > Startup n Recovery Settings button, Edit.
The timeout of 5 secs is immaterial if there is only one option - you won't see the menu screen.
Oh, and delete that folder, C:\$WIN_NT$.~BT if it exists... it's the temp files for installation.

Edited by gerbil because: n/a
Member Avatar for Member #851298

Thanks :)

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