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Default OS in dual boot setup

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7 replies

by megabyt

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I have Win 98SE and XP Pro setup for dual boot on my office system for client support questions. I would prefer that my system default to booting Win98 if no selection is made manually. The XP OS is first on the list and I must always manually select Win 98 to avoid automatically booting to XP. Is there a way to change the default OS?

7 replies

by whiter1

Go to PC911.com and check the How Too section. There is instructions there. Hope this helps.

by megabyt

This URL displays "coming soon" and refers you to a game site?? Please advise. Thanks

by vega3001

I do not have Windows XP Pro, but I do have Windows 2000. I would have to think that both would handle this in the same way, give it a look...

Make sure your username and password have the appropriate credientials for trying to changing this:*Click Start , click Control Panel , and then double-click System

*On the Advanced tab, under Startup and Recovery , click Settings

*Under System startup , in the Default operating system list, click the operating system that you want to start when you turn on or restart your computer.

*Select the Display list of operating systems for check box, and then type the number of seconds for which you want the list displayed before the default operating system starts automatically.

Hope this helps...

-VV

by david_b_mac

Thanks I had the same desire. It worked perfectly. Why I didn't think of it, I have no idea. It's so simple.

by schitzoid

[boot loader]
timeout=-1
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINNT
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINNT="Windows 2000" /fastdetect
C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Recovery Console" /cmdcons

this is a boot.ini to choose between win2k and the recovery console. your boot.ini will be almost identicle. remove the read only attribute and copy the line describing you 98 system under the [operating systems] heading, upto but not including the equal sign. paste it over the line after default= , and if you set timeout=-1, it will wait forever for you to select, otherwise, anything from 0 to 99 (seconds)is valid. IMPORTANT! before you change it, make a copy of that boot.ini file...

by megabyt

Hi, This is my boot.ini file and it seems to indicate that Windows (Win98) should be the default already but it auto boots to XP unless I make a selection. I changed the timeout to -1 per your suggestion but it would be nice to have it go to Win98 if I am distracted and forget to make the selection. If I missed your point, please advise and thanks for your reply.

[boot loader]
timeout=-1
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect
C:\="Microsoft Windows"

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