removing windows vista boot menu boot earlier version w

OK, I've installed Vista a couple of times (Beta 2), and ended up with a customized boot menu (courtesy of Microsoft), that stays put even after the hard drive that Vista was installed on is formatted. This happens when you do a custom install on a computer that is already running Windows XP. When you boot the computer after formatting the Vista partition, it defaults to Vista (not very helpful, as Vista is GONE), or if you press the down key fast enough you can boot an "earlier version of windows" (in my case, windows xp)
Got tired of hitting the power button, grabbing coffee and coming back to the computer to see the error message on the monitor. (because I wasn't there to tell it to boot the "earlier" version of windows)
Did the google thing, but nobody seemed to have the right answer (that I could find), though a few were close. So here is the proper procedure, spelled out in no uncertain terms.
NOTE: You shouldn't have any problems with this procedure, if you follow directions well. HOWEVER, I am telling you (not suggesting it, TELLING YOU) to back up all data files from your hard drive to external storage, such as DVD or CDR media or a USB memory stick, before you begin this procedure. The chances of your C: drive not booting after this procedure are greater than zero, so be prepared for disaster, in case you are extremely unlucky.
Boot your "earlier" version of Windows (ie, windows XP)
Fire up Windows Explorer. Set it to display all hidden and system files/folders.
Do the following in this exact order: Go to C:\ and find bootsect.bak. Rename it (like bootsect.vis), or just delete it. While still exploring C:\, find boot.ini and rename it to boot.vis While still exploring C:\, find Boot.bak and rename it to boot.ini While still exploring C:\, find folder C:\boot and DELETE that entire folder Reboot
Now you should see JUST windows XP starting up, with no boot menu howing. -Dave

You could also use VistaBootPRO to delete the Vista bootloader http://www.vistabootpro.org ---------- Mark Dietz PROnetworks <http://www.pro-networks.org>
Mike T. wrote:

OK, I've installed Vista a couple of times (Beta 2), and ended up with a customized boot menu (courtesy of Microsoft), that stays put even after the hard drive that Vista was installed on is formatted. This happens when you do a custom install on a computer that is already running Windows XP. When you boot the computer after formatting the Vista partition, it defaults to Vista (not very helpful, as Vista is GONE), or if you press the down key fast enough you can boot an "earlier version of windows" (in my case, windows xp)
Got tired of hitting the power button, grabbing coffee and coming back to the computer to see the error message on the monitor. (because I wasn't there to tell it to boot the "earlier" version of windows)
Did the google thing, but nobody seemed to have the right answer (that I could find), though a few were close. So here is the proper procedure, spelled out in no uncertain terms.
NOTE: You shouldn't have any problems with this procedure, if you follow directions well. HOWEVER, I am telling you (not suggesting it, TELLING YOU) to back up all data files from your hard drive to external storage, such as DVD or CDR media or a USB memory stick, before you begin this procedure. The chances of your C: drive not booting after this procedure are greater than zero, so be prepared for disaster, in case you are extremely unlucky.
Boot your "earlier" version of Windows (ie, windows XP)
Fire up Windows Explorer. Set it to display all hidden and system files/folders.
Do the following in this exact order: Go to C:\ and find bootsect.bak. Rename it (like bootsect.vis), or just delete it. While still exploring C:\, find boot.ini and rename it to boot.vis While still exploring C:\, find Boot.bak and rename it to boot.ini While still exploring C:\, find folder C:\boot and DELETE that entire folder Reboot
Now you should see JUST windows XP starting up, with no boot menu howing. -Dave

I strongly second Mark's suggestion. It uses a GUI which makes it simple for me.
"Mark Dietz" wrote in message

You could also use VistaBootPRO to delete the Vista bootloader http://www.vistabootpro.org ---------- Mark Dietz PROnetworks <http://www.pro-networks.org
Mike T. wrote: OK, I've installed Vista a couple of times (Beta 2), and ended up with a customized boot menu (courtesy of Microsoft), that stays put even after the hard drive that Vista was installed on is formatted. This happens when you do a custom install on a computer that is already running Windows XP. When you boot the computer after formatting the Vista partition, it defaults to Vista (not very helpful, as Vista is GONE), or if you press the down key fast enough you can boot an "earlier version of windows" (in my case, windows xp)
Got tired of hitting the power button, grabbing coffee and coming back to the computer to see the error message on the monitor. (because I wasn't there to tell it to boot the "earlier" version of windows)
Did the google thing, but nobody seemed to have the right answer (that I could find), though a few were close. So here is the proper procedure, spelled out in no uncertain terms.
NOTE: You shouldn't have any problems with this procedure, if you follow directions well. HOWEVER, I am telling you (not suggesting it, TELLING YOU) to back up all data files from your hard drive to external storage, such as DVD or CDR media or a USB memory stick, before you begin this procedure. The chances of your C: drive not booting after this procedure are greater than zero, so be prepared for disaster, in case you are extremely unlucky.
Boot your "earlier" version of Windows (ie, windows XP)
Fire up Windows Explorer. Set it to display all hidden and system files/folders.
Do the following in this exact order: Go to C:\ and find bootsect.bak. Rename it (like bootsect.vis), or just delete it. While still exploring C:\, find boot.ini and rename it to boot.vis While still exploring C:\, find Boot.bak and rename it to boot.ini While still exploring C:\, find folder C:\boot and DELETE that entire folder Reboot
Now you should see JUST windows XP starting up, with no boot menu owing. -Dave

"Colin Barnhorst" wrote in message

I strongly second Mark's suggestion. It uses a GUI which makes it simple for me.

NOW you tell me. :) -Dave

Sorry, just decided to start watching these newsgroups yesterday :) ---------- Mark Dietz PROnetworks <http://www.pro-networks.org>
Dave wrote:

"Colin Barnhorst" wrote in message I strongly second Mark's suggestion. It uses a GUI which makes it simple for me.
NOW you tell me. :) -Dave

"Mark Dietz" wrote in message

You could also use VistaBootPRO to delete the Vista bootloader http://www.vistabootpro.org ----------

Damn.......could have used that a while back. I have a very nasty install of Vista B2 and need to remove and reinstall after some programs screwed it up badly. One little bit of advise...If a program does not install on Vista the first time and you get a message to "Install with correct settings" (or something to that effect) DON'T do it.........:-) Thanks for the heads up on vistabootpro, good program for those of us messing with the beta.
Ed