Discussion on:

Cannot remove advanced Boot Options Screen

I have a problem with the advanced boot options screen continuing to appear during boot [without activation via F8 key]. I have tried to remove it by checking/correcting the boot.ini file [directly, not through System Properties/Advanced]. All appears in order, but here is the text as appears there: [all are single lines, as I don't know how it will appear in this post]
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[boot loader]
timeout=0
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


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I cannot find the problem, There also existed a line feed at the end of the Boot.ini text, which I removed--no luck. I put it back in. Also the file was not write protected--a web link said it should be--no luck again.

The background on this is quite obscure, theonly thing I was doing at the time, was to use my PC as a test platform for a PC I am modifying for a friend. I am installing a fairly large disc-based database [89GB-15 discs] on their PC, with the discs loaded to the HDD, and mounted via the "subst" command. [I am using "VSubst" from ntwind.com as a UI.] The UI ran flawlessly when tested, and I installed it on their PC. I believe the problem began when I removed the "test mounts" from the test [my], PC. I say guess, because I had not rebooted in a while, and I diid have some [minor] problems with my network connection. But I don't think that is related, though I have not uninstalled/reinstalled the network connection, the PC is booting normally [VERY fast] again, other than the ABO screen. I have run AVG/SpybotS&D, though that is a remote possibility, as even though this is a single PC, I use a router with encrytion, and run CCleaner daily & Registry First Aid regularly. I slso ran SystemFileChecker, with no joy.

I am using XP with SP3 slipstreamed, on a 3.0GHz 530/2GB Ram/32GB SSD+150GB SATA secondary. It has run almost a year as fast as day 1. It has no propietary HW/SW. I keep it very clean. I am [now] out of ideas. Any suggestions, no matter how trivial or obscure/remote would be appreciated. I follow TR forums [all of them-one and all], more closely [than you know who--HeHe]. You guys/gals have a unbelieveable amount of talent and knowledge-not to mention the introspect.

Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.

Sam
R&D Lab Engineer [Ret.]
Crestline CA

Your boot.ini appears normal for a single-disk/single boot system. The problem appears to be related to the MBR on your primary hard disk.

Some things to check:
* Verify in the BIOS that your primary hard drive is indeed drive 0
* Verify that the \Windows directory is actually loaded on drive 0.
* Try a repair install or use the Recovery Console to repair the MBR. http://www.techzonez.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-3975.html
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314058

To be on the safe side, I recommend using the freeware to manage the Bootloader. I personally use EasyBCD, if I want to install other OS . This gives a better control of the boot loader.