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how to uninstall other windows
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 Re: how to uninstall other windows
Posted by asterix_vader on Thu Jan 11th at 11:03pm 2007

i had a problem with a comp that didn't let me start windows so i reinstalled it in the disc d, but right when the installation finished i realized what the problem was. i can run windows again, good! but since i installed windows in another directory, it asks me what windows i want to use when i turn the comp on.

and what i want to know is how to uninstall the new installation so it won't ask me to choose a windows. you know, i want one windows again.

does anyone know how to?





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 Re: how to uninstall other windows
Posted by Crono on Thu Jan 11th at 11:18pm 2007

You have to alter the boot.ini file and then you can delete the Windows directory you don't want.

Search google for some help on what to change in the boot.ini file. Also, to note, it's a hidden system file in the base directory on your bootable HDD. (e.g. C:boot.ini, is the path)


Blame it on Microsoft, God does.



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 Re: how to uninstall other windows
Posted by Nickelplate on Thu Jan 11th at 11:20pm 2007

right-click MY COMPUTER then go to properties.

then choose the ADVANCED tab.

then click "startup and recovery" then choose the right one.

You can edit the BOOT.INI from "MSCONFIG" (type it in the Run box)




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 Re: how to uninstall other windows
Posted by asterix_vader on Thu Jan 11th at 11:26pm 2007

ok thanks guys, it worked perfectly!



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 Re: how to uninstall other windows
Posted by OtZman on Fri Jan 12th at 12:31am 2007

? quoting Crono
You have to alter the boot.ini file and then you can delete the Windows directory you don't want.

So after altering the boot.ini you can basically just drag and drop the Windows folder into the Recycle Bin?




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 Re: how to uninstall other windows
Posted by Forceflow on Fri Jan 12th at 1:42am 2007

Basically, yes. But you have to be absolutely sure both windows installations do not share stuff. Safest idea is two partitions <img src=" SRC="images/smiles/icon_smile.gif">


:: Forceflow.be :: Nuclear Dawn developer



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 Re: how to uninstall other windows
Posted by OtZman on Fri Jan 12th at 3:41am 2007

Mkay, good to know. <img src=" SRC="images/smiles/icon_smile.gif">




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 Re: how to uninstall other windows
Posted by asterix_vader on Fri Jan 12th at 3:46am 2007

you can delete it, i did and it still worked.





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 Re: how to uninstall other windows
Posted by Crono on Fri Jan 12th at 4:19am 2007

They wont be sharing anything. The only issue I see are other directories, like Documents and Settings. I'm not sure if that references the new install directory directly. I'm sure it uses an environment variable for everything, but it could have a fixed path somewhere. If it works, though, it works.

But, as for the actual Windows directories, they're separate and have no baring on each other. The new everything is kept in that directory so deleting it will remove the installation (including the new registry).

Though, I didn't know about the ability to select the bootable partition/OS, does that remove the other option from the boot.ini file though? (If not you should remove the one you don't want)

Partitioning your drive is really not a good idea. I mean, it's really useless. Yeah, they're separate, but you just lost a lot of contiguous space. I understand why people have all these partitions, but it's honestly can get a little silly unless you're administrating the system for other users. Directories work just as well and don't have the constraint of a partition size (and added volume data taking up more space)


Blame it on Microsoft, God does.



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 Re: how to uninstall other windows
Posted by asterix_vader on Fri Jan 12th at 4:31am 2007

i think you only have to edit the boot.ini file that is in the drive where the first installation of windows is. i edited the boot.ini in drive C and it automatically loads windows in drive D.

and partitions are useful sometimes. you can store your valuable files in drive D and format drive C whenever something goes wrong and windows doesnt want to start up, and reinstall it.
or am i wrong?





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 Re: how to uninstall other windows
Posted by Crono on Fri Jan 12th at 4:45am 2007

Yeah, well, I'm not fond of needless re-formatting. Since WinXP uses the NT Kernel there's a backup of your registry, which holds all pertinent Windows information. You can get that through the recovery console and copy it over to the proper directory and all of a sudden Windows will work again. If there are problems with the Windows files, you can do a refresh install, then put the, hopefully, minimalistic amount of MS patches back on.

In other words, there's no reason to ever do a Windows-Format of the drive you use to fix a Windows error.

I don't usually install windows anymore either, copying pre-existing partitions is faster.


Blame it on Microsoft, God does.



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 Re: how to uninstall other windows
Posted by Orpheus on Fri Jan 12th at 12:29pm 2007

I have not formatted in a couple years now but just a note:

Formatting (as far as I have been able to glean) is not as destructive now, as it once was in the old DOS days. Formatting, although a last resort, is not very harmful to the hard drive.

If all paths fail you and you have no recourse but to reformat, don't not do so just because you feel you'll harm the computer.

Like map editing tools, this is a tool that was meant to be used, its just the end of the line for any files you might want to keep.

Don't format on a whim. Be sure you have backups.

/random thought.





The best things in life, aren't things.




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