How do I stop Windows 2000 from trying to reinstall the OS at boot up? ($15)

I thought I may need to reinstall Windows 2000 and started to do so,
but then aborted the setup (via the on-screen prompts to do so). Now
every time I reboot the comptuer, it gives me very little time to
select 'boot to windows' vs. the default setup windows option. Any
help on getting it back to booting straight to windows again is
greatly appreciated.

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Request for Question Clarification by joseleon-ga on 01 Dec 2003 02:51 PST

Hello, gjrick:
  At what setup phase did you stop the installation? I mean, you
started to install Windows 2000 and cancelled the setup, so that's why
the system keeps trying to get installed, it would be great to know at
what time did you cancelled the setup so maybe your data has been
erased or not.

Regards.

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Request for Question Clarification by endo-ga on 01 Dec 2003 05:33 PST

Hi,

Please do the following and let me know it works.
Go to your root directory and edit a file called boot.ini
This file is not visible by default you need to go to:
tools->folder options->view->show hidden files and folders->uncheck
hide protected OS files.
It should look something like this:

[boot loader]
timeout=0
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows 2000
Professional" /fastdetect

With WINNT being the folder where it's installed. Don't change any of
the parameters, just remove one of the options, you will have a second
line, which will be the setup installation and one line which is the
*normal* Windows installation.

Please let me know how it goes.

Thanks.
endo

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Clarification of Question by gjrick-ga on 01 Dec 2003 05:56 PST

I believe that I stopped at the step right before installation
actually begins...after I answered a few default questions about what
I was intending to do.

I will try modifying that boot.ini and get back to you.

Thanks for the help.

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Request for Question Clarification by endo-ga on 02 Dec 2003 06:08 PST

Hi,

Did you have time to try the suggestion?

Thanks.
endo

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Clarification of Question by gjrick-ga on 02 Dec 2003 07:42 PST

Yep, I tried your suggestion and it worked only partially. I still get
the bootup screen and now instead of my existing installation and the
setup choices, I now get my existing installation and a generic
"Windows 2000" choice which is the default and does nothing if left to
try and boot to it. So, I still have to quickly push the up arrow and
enter to get into 2000.

Thanks for trying.

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Request for Question Clarification by endo-ga on 02 Dec 2003 08:27 PST

Hi,

Can you please post the contents of your boot.ini file?

If you set timeout to 0 and set the default correctly, you shouldn't
get the menu anymore. If that doens't work, I'll give you another
method.

Please let me know how it goes.

Thanks.
endo

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Clarification of Question by gjrick-ga on 02 Dec 2003 12:35 PST

The computer is at a client's home. I will post the boot.ini contents
the next time I see them (about two weeks). For now, they are used to
doin the up arrow and Enter routine to start their PC.

Thanks for you help.

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Request for Question Clarification by endo-ga on 21 Dec 2003 07:37 PST

Hi,

Have you been able to try this again?
The problem definitely lies in an incorrectly formed boot.ini file.

Thanks.
endo

Hi 

I has the same problem with my system. The only thing that really work
is to format and reinstall. Sometimes the boot.ini file cant be
repaired..I did what knoew one else will do format and reinstall..
just make sure you have backups of work..

Bye