Tom's Guide | Tom's Hardware | Tom's Games
 |
 |
 |
I recently had to re-install Windows after various problems (probably a virus) and luckily most of my files were still on the C drive.
However, Now when my computer is booting up I have the choice of 2 "Logon to Windows Xp Proffessional". One doesn't work and the other works fine.
When I select the one that works, none of the User Accounts appear at the logon screen. Also, although my C:\Program Files folder is still intact, none of the programs are installed. This is giving me problems re-installing Norton INternet Security.
My question is this: I can go into C:\Documents and Settings and my old user profile is there, but it says Access Denied. I obviously know the password, so is there any way to access this folder? Or is there a way to fool Windows into thinking that profile applies to my new install?
I would be grateful for any help!
You have Win XP Pro installed twice do you mean? Is the new installation ona separate partition or something?
0 
Hi
I definitely haven't created another partition, and there is only 1 Windows folder in C drive.
When I try to boot the first installation it comes up with something like "windows can not load because x file is missing". I checked and the file is definitely there.
I think I am gonna Format C:, (i have a Hard Drive in another computer I can back my files up on) but my main priority is to get into my old User Account. Does anyone know how to do this?
0
Have you tried booting from your XP CD and repairing the original installation?
I'm still not sure how you have two XP installations on the same partition, as far as I know they can't be in the same Windows folder.
0
Yeah, I tried that but it wouldn't work. I originally had the "missing isapnp.sys" error message which I think is discussed elsewhere on this site, and this is what prompted me to re-install.
Again, is there a way to access the files on my old User Account?
0
Hi,
First, let's get you access to those files/folders. Follow the instructions in the link bellow:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308421&sd=techNext let's see if we can take care of that duel boot option.
Goto C:\ then click on Tools-->Folder Options-->View-->place a check in the box for "Show hidden files and folders"-->UNcheck the box for "Hide protected operating system files"-->Apply-->Ok.Now you need to edit the Boot.ini file. Too look something like this:
[boot loader]
timeout=30
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" /noexecute=optin /fastdetectPlease copy/paste the content of your boot.ini file into this thread, unless at this point you would rather just re-install (I would).
0
Thanks for the help, I can now access my folder no problem. :)
As for Boot.ini here it is
[boot loader]
timeout=30
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" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDO="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect
0
In your boot.ini why does one say WINDOWS and the other says WINDO ??? You should NEVER have installed two copies of XP on the same partition, shoulda tried the repair option first. After everything is working well, blow away the folder where the first install of XP was(WINDOWS ? ). Anyways - make your boot.ini look like this:
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDO
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDO="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect
Rule #1: Good Computers don't go down.
Rule #2: There is no such thing as a good computer.
0
Arrgh!! 2 OS's on 1 partiton lol.
Ok, this could be a little tricky since both boot options point to the same patition. Hopefully MSCONFIG.exe will play nice today.
Goto Start-->Run and type "MSCONFIG" without the quotes-->click on the "BOOT.INI" tab-->select "Check All Boot Paths"-->click "Yes" when prompted to remove the invalid operating system-->Apply-->Ok-->Restart.
The above may not work if both boot paths are exactly the same. You will have to then manually remove the second entry, an error at this point could leave your computer unbootable.
If MSCONFIG did not work:
Please can you re-post your Boot.ini file, as it does not look right to me. Copy/Paste it please.
0
Please note!!!!!!: The Boot.ini file should NOT look like Rick McNabb's description!!!
I belive this must be a common copy/paste error.
Please refer to my post "Response Number 6" for a correct version of what the Boot.ini should look like.
If you would like to just go ahead and edit the Boot.ini now:
Right click My Computer-->Properties-->Advanced-->under "Startup and recovery" select "Settings"-->under "system startup" select "Edit"-->edit the Boot.ini file to look EXACTLY as shown in post "Response Number 6"-->close and save the changes to the Boot.ini file-->Ok-->Ok-->Reboot.
0
Disclaimer: I accept no responsibility for any damage done by the use or misuse of the information in my previous post.
Thanks,
Cache.
0
Well, thanks guys, but I went ahead and deleted the WINDO file and I solved the "2 OS on 1 partition" problem by simply deleting that line in boot.ini. Reckless, I know, but at least my computer is pretty much back to normal!
I think once I've backed everything up I'm gonna format C: and re-install anyway, just to be on the safe side.
0  |
 |
 |
This post is quite old and has been locked from receiving new replies. Please create a new posting instead.
| Ads by Google |
