The choices are Microsoft Windowx XP or Microsoft Windows XP. It says highlighted option will open automatically after countdown if I do not choose. I was trying to update my folks computer, nothing would update and they didn't have virus protection (avg wouldn't install). Mom had to use yahooclassic mail and internet explorer wouldn't update either. Microsoft updates wouldn't install which for some reason led me toupdate the service pack. I updated it to SP3. Avg installed, internet explorer updated... It seemed a success except for this black screen they get on the restart. Is it a problem and if so, what do I do? Thanks, mb1 person needs an answerI do too

Hello mblauber It sounds like you have 2 installations of XP there. Did you try to Repair XP using the CD. You can probably remove that screen at startup, but we need to know if you do in fact have 2 installations there Remove the dual boot screen Go to Start>Run and type msconfig OK On the boot.ini tab, click "Check all boot paths"..

ok, I may take a few days to get back to you, as I said it's my folks' computer. How did two get installed I wonder. Thanks for replying. mb

No, I didn't try to repair using the XP cd. I wouldn't know how.

I'm going to my folks today and will check for two installations of XP. If indeed there are two, how do I remove one of them. And how do I know which one to remove? Dad said the computer has always done that. Will this improve the performance of their computer? I really appreciate your help cybertek.

I am happy to help youCheck for 2 Windows" folders and Docs and Settings etc.If there are 2 XP installations on the same partition I`m afraid you cannot separate them to remove one of them.i.e. both of them are C:\WindowsIf there are two XP installations but they are on different partitions, then it will be possible to remove one of themi.e. one is C:\Windows and the other is D:\Windows.If they are on the same partition that will definitely affect the performance. The only way to fix that is a complete reformat and reinstall. You would have to back up all their files/data and reinstall XPIf they are on different partitions that should have no affect on the performance.Post back your findings

Message in Boot.ini reads:It appears that the following line in the BOOT.INI field does not refer to a valid operating system:multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft XP Windows Home Edition" \ fastdetect"Would you like to remove it from the BOOT.INI file?Standing by... mb

That could well be right, but check the boot.ini file firstYou need to be sure that another operating system is listed . It might look like this [boot loader]timeout=30default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS[operating systems]multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home" /fastdetectmulti(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows Professional" /fastdetectCan you see that there are two operating systems listed here?If your boot.ini looks like that it should be safe to agree to remove itHow to access the boot iniScroll down to "How to modify the boot.ini".

Another way to access the boot.ini file Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties. -or- In Control Panel, start the Performance and Maintenance tool, and then click System. On the Advanced tab, click Settings under Startup and Recovery. Under System Startup, click Edit. This opens the file in Notepad .

That is exactly what it says:[boot loader]timeout=30default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS[operating systems]multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptInmulti(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect

It appears that the following line in the BOOT.INI field does not refer to a valid operating system:multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft XP Windows Home Edition" \ fastdetect"Would you like to remove it from the BOOT.INI file?If that is the message when you"Check all boot paths"It is safe to agree.

Thanks so much cybertek for all your help! I believe we're all set now. I guess I'll mark the previous screen as answered. Have a great weekend. mb

You are very welcome mb and thank you for the good wishes.I am glad you have it fixed..