two copies of XP, on two partitions, on one drive

[RJG]

I have this setup.

it gives me the option, of which copy, to start.

can I change the order, of these, so that the bottom, of the two, will be the top, of the two, and that one will load, unprompted?

thanks!

[Steven Clementi · Accepted solution]

RJG:

Modify your c:\boot.ini file. Change the line that states.... (See my boot.ini below)


[boot loader]
timeout=3
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


Change the "default" value line to be the second line that you have under [operating systems]

example:

[boot loader]
timeout=3
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows XP Professional SP1" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS2="Windows XP Professional SP2"

Your new default line would be...
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS2


Hope this helps...

Happy Holidays,

Steven

[RJG]

I did a little more investigation and did almost exactly what you advised and it is just what I wanted.

thank you very much!!!!!

[Alzhy]

RJG.. forgive me for hijacking your thread..

Steven,

In the Windows world.. if I have multiple Windows OS (2000, XP, another XP, ME, 98, etc..) - during patching or Windows Update/Checks -- will my inactive (or unmounted/unmapped to a drive/folder) windows environments get scanned by whatever tool Windows Update uses? ie. Say I have WinXP SP2 active - an I use the update/chcker service from Microsoft .. will it also make me aware of what patches I am missing with my other Windows environments?

Thanks!

[Steven Clementi]

No. WU only runs on the locally running OS. (99.99% sure that is) ;o)

Steven

[Alzhy]

What's with the .01% ;-)

Reason I ask is I plan to build a multi-OS box as a support boxen so I can boot to any Windows flavour and address user's concerns/issues. Say I have Office2000 on my unpatched/inactiveunmounted Windows2000 partition and I am currently booted off WinXP SP2 -- will a comprehensive Windows Update also scan the hard drive partitions looking for Windows parition signatures and mount them and do its usual scan?

Thanks again!

[Steven Clementi]

.01% = I have never seen WU do that, but potentially can see MS software doing a scan of sorts, trying to detect the best "fix".

Why not just have a beefier machine and Run VMWare. This way, you can have ALL the OS's up at the same time and would not have to worry about losing time rebooting.


One thing to keep in mind when multibooting is the order of installation. Start with the earliest version of Windows first.. 98, then ME then 2000 then XP then 2003


Steven