XP trying to dual boot to Fista?

[Wiggy]

I've just reinstalled XP, after another abortive attempt to install Fista (thank fuck that didn't work). However now, when I start up my PC now it's trying to start Fista up, almost as if the boot files are still there (the OS isn't). Selecting "use a previous version of Windows" puts it into XP, and then XP works fine.

The oddest thing is that between trying to install Fista and actually installing XP, I've done a full format on the C: drive, so I'm pretty sure those files shouldn't be there. Can anyone help me get Shitsta of my compyuter? Ta.

[buzzmong]

When you say full format, you sure it wasn't a quick one?

I did that the other week when I wasn't paying attention.


Also:

Msconfig -> Boot.ini tab, should be able to delete the fista bit if it's there (which I think it probably is)

[FatherJack]

Tip: Get Partition Magic or similar before attempting any sort of dual-boot scenario - it's pqboot properly hides the other OS's shit, but back stuff up you care about anyway, just to be sure.

I'd be safe and only try Fista on a box I didn't care about, or a partition I was sure was isolated from my live data, being aware this is not as apparent as previous versions of Windows.

[Wiggy]

Yes, it was a full format (it took about an hour) - also, I'm not too fussed about actually having Fista or trying to dual-boot at all, I just want the damn thing off my computer. I'll try Buzz's suggestion tomorrow and report back.

Edit: Just gone into the Boot.ini bit in msconfig, it says this:

Code: Select all

[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

When I click on "check all boot paths", it says it is not pointing to a valid OS and would I like to remove it.

[Stoat]

You could try

Code: Select all

chkdsk /fixmbr

from the xp recovery console, that's fixed some dual booting troubles I've had in the past.
Back your stuff up first though obviously.

[Wiggy]

You could try

Code: Select all

chkdsk /fixmbr

from the xp recovery console, that's fixed some dual booting troubles I've had in the past.
Back your stuff up first though obviously.

Cheers dude, I shall try this tomorrow after work. Night

[Dr. kitteny berk]

IIRC Fista doesn't use an mbr etc(not in the classical xp flavour anyway). and it defaults to using whatever fucking drive it likes to put all the boot info on (ie. often not your windows drive)

I think you might need to use the repair tools on the Fista dvd to remove its boot crap.

edit: http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/1341/rem ... er_startup

[Fear]

http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/1341/rem ... er_startup

This, whilst works, has lost me entire partitions in the past. Please please please backup before doing this. It doesn't always work as intended.

[Dr. kitteny berk]

This, whilst works, has lost me entire partitions in the past. Please please please backup before doing this. It doesn't always work as intended.

Erp.

Moral of the story. If you *absolutely* must install Fista. unplug all your drives beforehand.

[Killavodka]

i think if i install fista ill use one of my spare drives so it can sit there all on its own...

[spoodie]

I've been putting up with this problem for months and now it's sorted. Thanks Berk.

[Dr. kitteny berk]

[deject]

Erp.

Moral of the story. If you *absolutely* must install Fista. unplug all your drives beforehand.