i have windows 2000 and just a few files of xp installed on my computer i went to install xp onto another hdd but it automatically put it on the main hdd and i caught it at restart so i didnt go through the the installation. But not its acting like i got a dual boot system and windows xp isnt installed fully and i cant find the files to delete in order to get rid of the dual boot can anyone help me without deleting windows 2000 or everything on my hdd

for starters, edit 'boot.ini ... delete the line referring to windows XP and make sure, default setting is windows 2000. Today's subliminal thought is: 'Calm down ... it's only ones and zeros.'

um i looked in the windows file and did a search and i cant find that file could it be named something else in windows 2000?

Boot to W2K. Then via MyComputer\properties\advanced-tab\startup/shutdown button you can both set default OS to boot; and also edit the boot.ini. Set W2K as default OS; reboot to verify it does just that. The via the above MyComputer etc... view the boot.ini; note down the name of the W2K folder (as given both in the default OS entry, and also in the list of installed OS). Also note the names of any folders related to XP; likely there will be few odd items that may start with the $ symbol too. Delete any lines not related to W2K. Then via W2K explorer locate/delete the assorted odds 'n ends of XP installation (folders etc. identified as above); also the actual XP folder itself. Again there will almost certainly be files/folders around that start with the $ symbol. These are all temp items created/used by XP set up. Normally deleted automatically for you once installation is complete..., you have to do it manually this time. Just what XP called itself depends on what W2K was called ahead of it. If W2K = winnt then XP will usually default to windows - if in the same partition as W2K. If XP is a different partition to W2K then it can be either winnt or windows; Pro usually goes in as winnt, Home as windows - but not always. Main item is not delete the wrong folder - obviously... Once you have cleaned out XP debris, and edited boot.ini appropriately, reboot to verify W2K still OK. Presuming so... empty recycle-bin and defrag the drive to tidy up the scene. Job done. But - first print out the boot.ini as is; also make a copy of it to a floppy (and also to somewhere easily accessible on the drive). That way you have something to revert to if by chance you mis-edit the boot.ini and can't access W2K. Also if you're not sure what to delete from it... post it here; folks will explain what etc. can go... Once back to W2K alone - perhaps make an ERD for W2K; keep it safe. Although not quite as straightforward as with nt4... it's often wise to do it? http://www.windowsnetworking.com/kb...

In answer to you secondary query: The boot.ini is by default a hidden (system) file. To view it you have to reveal (as in - "unhide...." - eeeakkk) it. These two links detail it all much more, and give you a slightly different way to access abd edit the boot.ini. Useful to know about and to have stored some to hand for future use? http://www.windowsnetworking.com/kb... http://support.microsoft.com/kb/311... It is possible for W2K to go in and "not" create a boot.ini. I can't remember just now how/why etc. that happens; but if it doesn't create one, there is way to create it... In your case it is already there.