Two OS on computer

[SuperDave]

I helped a friend install WinXP over Win ME. Now when he reboots he gets a screen asking which Operating system he wants to run. How can we get rid of WinXP? I tried system restore but it won't let me select a previous date.

[soybean]

You mean get rid of Win ME, right?

[Dilbert]

Just out of curiosity, do both OS's work? If so, how did you do that? I've been trying for ages.

[johnchain]

Easy, partition another drive, install a boot loader, reboot to the new partition, install the new operating system, next reboot.....choose which OS to boot into.

[Peccavi]

Just out of curiosity, do both OS's work? If so, how did you do that? I've been trying for ages.

Hi folks,
Dilbert I have done it just for once. Win 2k and XP together. But at the secon boot they both failed.

[GX1_Man]

I helped a friend install WinXP over Win ME. Now when he reboots he gets a screen asking which Operating system he wants to run. How can we get rid of WinXP? I tried system restore but it won't let me select a previous date.

Please clarify what you are trying to do. Which OS do you want to be rid of?

[soybean]

Just out of curiosity, do both OS's work? If so, how did you do that? I've been trying for ages.

I have a dual boot configuration with Win 98SE and Win XP.  I'll mention a few basic points, then leave the rest to Google.  You need either two hard drives or a single hard drive that is partitioned.  The older OS (Win 95/98/ME) must be installed first.  Then, when Win XP is installed, it recognizes that another OS already exists, and, IIRC, asks you whether you want to replace the older OS or leave it alone and install Win XP on a different drive/partition.  If you elect to retain the old OS, then the Win XP installation asks you where you want to install Win XP.  My Win XP is on partition F of my single hard drive.  The installation procedure also creates the boot.ini file that displays the screen during startup that gives the user the option of which OS to boot.

Here's a Microsoft reference: How to create a multiple-boot system in Windows XP

What sometimes happens, and apparently happened in SuperDave's case, is that the user overlooked or misunderstood the prompts regarding an existing OS when installing Win XP, and so they ended with a dual boot configuration, even though that was not their intent.

[parkinson40]

i HAVE DONE EXACTLY WHAT THE QUESTION ASKS i MANAGED TO INSTALL 200 TWICE ON THE STARTUP IT ASKS ME WHICH ONE i WANT.
hOW DO i DELET OR UNINSTALL ONE OPERATING SYSTEM.

THANKS

[GX1_Man]

You've mentioned WinME and XP in your first post and now 200 (0).

If you have just reinstalled all of this do it one last time (with the OS of choice)but choose to format the drive. This will eliminate this and, no doubt, other errors.  

[parkinson40]

SORRY I SHOULD HAVE SAID I AM NOT THE FIRST POST.
i INSTALLED 2000 AS AN UP DATE  TO 98SE THEN MANAGED TO INSTALL 2000 AS A CLEAN INSTAL.i WANT TO REMOVE THE UPDATE AND USE THE CLEAN INSTALL.i SAW THE FIRSDT QUESTION AND REALISED THIS WOULD ANSWER MY PROBLEM.aLL i WANT TO DO IS REMOVE ONE OF THE SYSTEMS.hOW DO I DO THIS.i AM A COMPLETE IDIOT WHERE THE COMP IS CONCERNED SO AN IDIOTS GUIDE WOULD BE GOOD.

THANKS

[GX1_Man]

See above, then, and TURN OFF THE CAPS LOCK KEY!!!  

[parkinson40]

sorry
When i go to install the os it does not give me the option to format the disc
how do I do this.? having formatted thec drive? will the cd run
sorry to be thisk

[GX1_Man]

Is that a real Windows CD, very shiny with Microsoft written on it, or is it some sort of restore disc? What does it say on it?

If it is a real WIndows CD, you will see the formatting screen right after pressing F8 to agree to the EULA and choosing to install a new version of Windows. You can choose between NTFS and FAT32 (iff aplicable) and if you want to format the drive or leave it intact.

[SuperDave]

Just out of curiosity, do both OS's work? If so, how did you do that? I've been trying for ages.

Yes. Both OS' work. I thought we were doing an upgrade from ME to XP. After he saw XP he wants to go back to ME which is probably better for him since he doesn't quite have enough RAM to run XP properly. So, at this point we want to get rid of XP. This is confusing because someone else hijacked this thread which would only be acceptable in a discussion thread.

[GX1_Man]

You have indeed been hijacked.  

Sometimes there is an entry in Add and Remove programs, but the best bet when installing OS'es is to do a full format and clean install. Your friend may get lucky.

[SuperDave]

I think I've googled the answer to our problem. http://ezinearticles.com/?How-To-Remove-One-Operating-System-from-a--Dual-Boot-Windows-XP-Computer&id=52280 Please check it out and see if this will work.

[soybean]

No, that article is different from your situation; it discusses a dual installation of Win XP, not Win XP and another OS.  So, it does not apply to your situation.

Edit: take a look in your Add or Remove Programs panel and see whether it contains an item named Uninstall Windows XP.  If so, read this: How to uninstall Windows XP and revert to a previous operating system