Thread: How to edit the Boot.ini file in Windows 2000

NTLDR shows the bootstrap loader screen, where you can choose an operating system to initiate. This news explains to correct the Boot.ini file in a Windows 2000 environment. With the help of the information in the Boot.ini file, this screen is based. NTLDR heaps the OS that is précised by the default parameter in the Boot.ini file when you do not choose an access before the counter achieves zero. Windows 2000 console puts the Boot.ini file in the active division. NTLDR utilizes information in the Boot.ini file to exhibit the bootstrap loader display from which you choose the operating system.

Before you correct it, you should back up the Boot.ini file. The first tasks contain altering your folder preferences so you can examine hidden files, and then back up the Boot.ini file.

Transforming Folder Options

1. Right-click Start, and then click Explore.
2. On the Tools menu, click Folder Options, and then click View.
3. In the Advanced Settings area, click to select the Show hidden files and folders check box, click to clear the Hide protected operation system files (Recommended) check box, click OK, and then click OK.
4. In the left pane, click to select the %systemroot%, right-click Boot.ini in the display pane, and then click Properties.
5. Click to clear the Read-only attribute check box, and then click OK.

1. Right-click Start, and then click Explore.
2. In the left pane, click the %systemroot% drive, in the right pane, click the Boot.ini file, and then click Copy.
3. Open a temporary folder in the left pane, right-click in the right display pane, and then click Paste to create a copy of the Boot.ini file in that folder.

Sample Boot.ini File

This is a sample of a default Boot.ini file from a Windows 2000 Server-based computer:
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT="Windows 2000 Server" /fastdetect
This is a trial of the following Boot.ini file after the addition of a different division that is running Windows XP Prof.
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT="Windows 2000 Server" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINNT="Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect

Editing the Boot.ini File

1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Notepad.
2. In Notepad, click Open on the File menu.
3. Click the %systemroot% drive in the Look in box, click the Boot.ini file, and then click Open.

1. In Notepad, select the line that contains information about the operating system you want to remove, and then press DELETE. Example of the line to select:
multi(0)disk(1)rdisk(0)partition(2)\Windows="Windo ws 98" /fastdetect

2. On the File menu, click Save.

1. In Notepad, select the line that needs to be moved, press CTRL+C, press DELETE, click to place the cursor to where the line needs to be placed, and then press CTRL+V.
2. Repeat step 1 as needed for your configuration, and then click Save on the File menu.

Modifying the Default Operating System

The default signifies the operating system that will be loaded if no selection is made before the time out occurs.
1. In Notepad modify the following line to reflect the operating system which is to be the default:
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT
For example, changing the default from Windows 2000 Server to Microsoft Windows 95
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT
would be modified to:
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(2)\Window s
2. On the File menu, click Save.

The time out signifies the quantity of seconds you are permitted to choose an operating system from the menu before the default OS is loaded.

1. In Notepad, edit the following line to reflect the amount of seconds needed.
timeout=30
2. On the File menu, click Save.