rc

Let me explain. I had some problems when I was re-
installing 2000 pro after changing hard drives. One thing
led to another and I ended up with the following operating
systems on the screen when I boot up the computer.
Windows 2000 Professional
Windows
Windows 2000 Professional Setup
How do I delete the Windows 2000 Professional Setup.
I thought I would have to re-install 2000 pro but found an
alternative method after I had started the setup process.
Found it by accident. Can anyone tell me how to get rid of
the setup from my computer without losing 2000 pro or any
files that I may need. I think it's affecting my virtual
memory. Please help!!!!!!!!!

r. c. white

Hi, RC.

It's a two-step process. One step gets rid of the options on the opening
menu. The other deletes unneeded files to free up many megabytes of hard
drive space. I am assuming you want to keep only one copy of Win2K and NO
Win9x/ME or other operating system.

First, you need to edit C:\boot.ini to delete the unwanted options.
Boot.ini is a hidden, system, read-only file that is always located in the
Root of the "system partition" - almost always C:\. You'll have to remove
those attributes, then edit the file. Boot.ini has two sections: The [boot
loader] section just sets the delay time and the default OS to boot. The
[operating systems] section points to each system you have installed on this
computer, using drive and partition NUMBERS, rather than drive letters.
Make sure to keep the one you want - probably the one that matches the
default line above, and delete all the others. Then save the edited file
and reboot. When there's only one option in boot.ini, Win2K won't even
present the opening menu and wait the delay time; it will simply boot into
Win2K.

Second, boot into your "good" copy of Win2K and delete all the unneeded
"boot folders", including all their files and subfolders. By default, the
boot folder for Win2K is named \WinNT, unless you were upgrading from
Win9x/ME, in which case it probably is named \Windows. Tell Windows
Explorer to Delete any such folders from C:, D:, or any other volume where
you find one. Explorer will refuse to delete the one you are using; any
that it will actually delete, you don't need. If you'd like to confirm that
you are keeping the right one, open a "DOS" window and type Set. The Set
command will show you all your environment variables, including SystemRoot.
Mine says SystemRoot=D:\WinNT; yours will probably be different; whichever
is your SystemRoot is the one you must NOT delete.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
rc@corridor.net
Microsoft Windows MVP