Booting problems after deleting XP from the E partition of a 98SE machine

Well, I installed XP on my Win98SEL computer, played with it a
little, installed a few programs, made the interface etc. as
annoying as possible (it was actually quite easy to turn off all
the idiot prompts, although it seems that getting rid of "My
Documents" may be
impossible... but I'll worry about it later, maybe), and decided
it isn't /that/ horrible.

Basically, I have found out what I wanted to know about XP.
Someday I may find out what I need to know about Linux. For now
I have decided there is no point whatsoever in keeping XP as
long as my Win98SEL machine runs as well as it does - and does
everything I need it to do. When it dies and I have to build a
new computer, I will put XP or Linux on it. I'm not going to
worry about it now.

Which brings me to the current question.

I deleted XP, and the machine still gave me the "XP or Windows"
boot menu. Needless to say, unnecessary and annoying. So I
renamed boot.ini as well as bootsect.dos (fortunately I was not
reckless enough to just delete them). Well, you know what
happened. So I booted from a floppy and brought those two files
back.

The question:

How the hell do I get rid of that boot menu, the two files in
root of C:\ and (/if/ in fact XP messed around with the MBR)
restore the MBR to normal (i.e. non-XP) operating conditions?

I believe fdisk /mbr only works correctly (i.e. doesn't REALLY
screw things up) if you have 4 or less partitions. I have 16.

So I /reinstalled/ XP and changed the boot default to 98, but
something teels me that when I restore the Acronis image of 'C'
the machine will not boot. And I will need to do that soon, I've
been messing about way too much.

AFA my 95b with new AMD K-6 and 192 MB of RAM everything seems
fine. I still have the SiSoft Sandra fast memory write error but
everything runs well. I have the CPU at 66 x 6 (2), ie 413MHZ,
IIRC.

Thanks.
t.

"thanatoid" wrote in message
...
Well, I installed XP on my Win98SEL computer, played with it a
little, installed a few programs, made the interface etc. as
annoying as possible (it was actually quite easy to turn off all
the idiot prompts, although it seems that getting rid of "My
Documents" may be
impossible... but I'll worry about it later, maybe), and decided
it isn't /that/ horrible.

Basically, I have found out what I wanted to know about XP.
Someday I may find out what I need to know about Linux. For now
I have decided there is no point whatsoever in keeping XP as
long as my Win98SEL machine runs as well as it does - and does
everything I need it to do. When it dies and I have to build a
new computer, I will put XP or Linux on it. I'm not going to
worry about it now.

Which brings me to the current question.

I deleted XP, and the machine still gave me the "XP or Windows"
boot menu. Needless to say, unnecessary and annoying. So I
renamed boot.ini as well as bootsect.dos (fortunately I was not
reckless enough to just delete them). Well, you know what
happened. So I booted from a floppy and brought those two files
back.

The question:

How the hell do I get rid of that boot menu, the two files in
root of C:\ and (/if/ in fact XP messed around with the MBR)
restore the MBR to normal (i.e. non-XP) operating conditions?

I believe fdisk /mbr only works correctly (i.e. doesn't REALLY
screw things up) if you have 4 or less partitions. I have 16.

So I /reinstalled/ XP and changed the boot default to 98, but
something teels me that when I restore the Acronis image of 'C'
the machine will not boot. And I will need to do that soon, I've
been messing about way too much.

AFA my 95b with new AMD K-6 and 192 MB of RAM everything seems
fine. I still have the SiSoft Sandra fast memory write error but
everything runs well. I have the CPU at 66 x 6 (2), ie 413MHZ,
IIRC.

Thanks.
t.


--
[from a recent mental conversation]

thanatoid:
So why did you decide you wanted broadband after all your
endless babbling about how no one except DVD pirates really
needs it?

thanatoid:
My ISP is offering it for less than I am paying for dial-up now
AND the offer includes some other very attractive rate
reductions in the basic phone service charges. And I decided I
want to read my e-mail faster :-)

(to be continued)

The MBR points at the only active and primary partition. Its, apparently,
correct.

The PBR is pointing at XPs boot files, instead of msdos boot files. My
guess is you already know how to fix that, along with a possible mod of
msdos.sys afterwards. Hint: sys.com

Once fixed, take another image snapshot with Acronis.
--
Dave

"thanatoid" wrote in message
...
Well, I installed XP on my Win98SEL computer, played with it a
little, installed a few programs, made the interface etc. as
annoying as possible (it was actually quite easy to turn off all
the idiot prompts, although it seems that getting rid of "My
Documents" may be
impossible... but I'll worry about it later, maybe), and decided
it isn't /that/ horrible.

Basically, I have found out what I wanted to know about XP.
Someday I may find out what I need to know about Linux. For now
I have decided there is no point whatsoever in keeping XP as
long as my Win98SEL machine runs as well as it does - and does
everything I need it to do. When it dies and I have to build a
new computer, I will put XP or Linux on it. I'm not going to
worry about it now.

Which brings me to the current question.

I deleted XP, and the machine still gave me the "XP or Windows"
boot menu. Needless to say, unnecessary and annoying. So I
renamed boot.ini as well as bootsect.dos (fortunately I was not
reckless enough to just delete them). Well, you know what
happened. So I booted from a floppy and brought those two files
back.

The question:

How the hell do I get rid of that boot menu, the two files in
root of C:\ and (/if/ in fact XP messed around with the MBR)
restore the MBR to normal (i.e. non-XP) operating conditions?

I believe fdisk /mbr only works correctly (i.e. doesn't REALLY
screw things up) if you have 4 or less partitions. I have 16.

So I /reinstalled/ XP and changed the boot default to 98, but
something teels me that when I restore the Acronis image of 'C'
the machine will not boot. And I will need to do that soon, I've
been messing about way too much.

AFA my 95b with new AMD K-6 and 192 MB of RAM everything seems
fine. I still have the SiSoft Sandra fast memory write error but
everything runs well. I have the CPU at 66 x 6 (2), ie 413MHZ,
IIRC.

Thanks.
t.

#19. Remove a Dual Boot
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/xpfaq.html#019

Read the appropriate section depending on whether your XP was installed on FAT32 or
NTFS.

If it was FAT32, this will work (courtesy of MVP Michael Stevens) =

quote

Remove Win XP & Keep Win9x/Me when Both use FAT/FAT32 file system:

Use the Win9x boot disk to boot up the computer. At the A: prompt, type SYS C: and
then press ENTER. The Sys command transfers control of the boot process to Win9x/Me.
You will see a System transferred message.

Reboot

You can now delete these (Hidden) boot files from the root folder: C:\Boot.ini,
Bootsect.dos, hiberfil.sys, ntbootdd.sys, Ntdetect.com, Ntldr, Pagefile.sys (if they
are present).

Finally, delete the Windows XP installation folder (typically drive
letter:\Windows), Documents and Settings and Program Files [if not shared with
Winx/Me] from the XP hard drive or partition.

/quote

Also see:
How to manually remove Windows XP and then restore Windows 95, Windows 98, or
Windows Millennium Edition
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314052

--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Windows, A+
http://dts-l.net/
http://dts-l.net/goodpost.htm

"Lil' Dave" wrote in
:

SNIP

The MBR points at the only active and primary partition.
Its, apparently, correct.

The PBR is pointing at XPs boot files, instead of msdos
boot files. My guess is you already know how to fix that,

You overestimate me. In fact it took me a few moments to figure
out what PBR stands for and I not even positive it /is/
Partition Boot Record.

along with a possible mod of msdos.sys afterwards. Hint:
sys.com

The hint helps. :-)

Once fixed, take another image snapshot with Acronis.

The last image I have was before the XP experience, and I keep
all my data on other partitions. What I /do/ want to do is
restore that last image because at the same time that the
temporary XP insanity took hold, I also went a little crazy with
disk cataloguers and a few other things I can't even remember...
So I need to restore the last, nice and clean, image.

In the interest of advancing my "knowledge", I will try to
figure out your hints, but in case I don't (I'm not getting any
smarter, you know), Glen's advice is simpler and happens to
coincide with another I got in an XP group.

Thanks for your advice and regards,
t.

"glee" wrote in
:

SNIP

#19. Remove a Dual Boot

SNIP

Also see:
How to manually remove Windows XP and then restore Windows
95, Windows 98, or Windows Millennium Edition
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314052

Thanks very much, Glen. Yes, since my 16 partitions are all
FAT32 I installed XP with FAT32.

I appreciate the advice, and the links look very useful as well.
I must say it never occurred to me to look in the MS knowledge
base, but their search terms are (or at least used to be)
practically a secret code - I once found a page which
"translated" them all to standard English words, and saved it,
but I can't find it, so I have given up on trying to find
anything in the KB a long time ago. (For all I know the search
engine /does/ use normal English now.)

But I am always pleasantly surprised that the KB links provided
by others are usually very useful and helpful. To be quite
honest, I think I really should try to end this anti-MS stance
that I /sort of/ have (it could be MUCH worse as I'm sure you
will agree). I actually find Apple's overall attitude (stunning
arrogance would be a better description) and some aspects of
their philosophy far more objectionable. (They sure have cute
designs, though.)

Best regards,
t.

wrote in
:

On 03 Sep 2008 19:48:30 GMT, thanatoid
wrote:

You overestimate me. In fact it took me a few moments to
figure out what PBR stands for and I not even positive it
/is/ Partition Boot Record.

No it aint, it's Pabst Blue Ribbon.

You're closer than I am :-)

First 10 entries from Wiki:

Pause Break Riot, a popular rave pop band from Swindon.
Pabst Blue Ribbon, a brand of beer
Patrol boat river, a type of river patrol boat used by the US
Navy during the Vietnam War
Partition Boot Record, same as Volume Boot Record
Pebble bed reactor, a type of nuclear reactor
Performance-Based Rate [1]
Peripheral benzodiazepine receptor, located at OMM (outer
mitochondrial membrane), interacts with StAR (steroidogenic
acute regulatory protein) to transport cholesterol into
mitochondria
Petrobras (NYSE:*PBR), a Brazilian oil company
Photobioreactor
Plant breeders' rights, a patented cultivar

I hope you forgive Wiki for calling Pabst just a "brand of
beer". I understand for some, it's more of a religion.

FWIW, the 1st Google hit is:
Professional Bull Riders - whatever THAT is.


--
[from a recent mental conversation]

thanatoid:
So why did you decide you wanted broadband after all your
endless babbling about how no one except DVD pirates really
needs it?

thanatoid:
My ISP is offering it for less than I am paying for dial-up now
AND the offer includes some other very attractive rate
reductions in the basic phone service charges. And I decided I
want to read my e-mail faster :-)

(to be continued)

"thanatoid" wrote in message
...
"glee" wrote in
:

SNIP

#19. Remove a Dual Boot

SNIP

Also see:
How to manually remove Windows XP and then restore Windows
95, Windows 98, or Windows Millennium Edition
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314052

Thanks very much, Glen. Yes, since my 16 partitions are all
FAT32 I installed XP with FAT32.

I appreciate the advice, and the links look very useful as well.
I must say it never occurred to me to look in the MS knowledge
base, but their search terms are (or at least used to be)
practically a secret code - I once found a page which
"translated" them all to standard English words, and saved it,
but I can't find it, so I have given up on trying to find
anything in the KB a long time ago. (For all I know the search
engine /does/ use normal English now.)

But I am always pleasantly surprised that the KB links provided
by others are usually very useful and helpful. To be quite
honest, I think I really should try to end this anti-MS stance
that I /sort of/ have (it could be MUCH worse as I'm sure you
will agree). I actually find Apple's overall attitude (stunning
arrogance would be a better description) and some aspects of
their philosophy far more objectionable. (They sure have cute
designs, though.)

I couldn't tell you because I gave up on the MS KB search engine a long time ago. I
either search error message with Google and some KB articles usually appear; or I
use Google to search the MS site specifically, using this format:
search terms or error message site:www.microsoft.com
or
search terms or error message site:support.microsoft.com

Here are some of their search keywords, if you are interested in trying them in
their search engine (I find Google much quicker):

How to query the Microsoft Knowledge Base by using keywords and query words
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/242450

--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Windows, A+
http://dts-l.net/
http://dts-l.net/goodpost.htm

LOL, Apple's Pride will go before its great Fall and who will succeed Apple
after Steve Jobs or will Apple just kind of and sort of fade away . . . . .
My current favorite operating systems are in this order:

1. Windows 98 Second Edition
2. Ubuntu Linux (only tried version 7.x)
3. Windows XP and/or Vista -- I am not sure which
4. Apple Mac (Long Note: nice colors --- lack of Ati Video in mobile Apple's
and I don't like Nvidia because although they might be the best graphics
their customer service is not as great, imo and a Nvidia G-Force card broke
my PC machine when upgrading from a 3dfx graphics card and the ATI graphics
card had no issue so I have been an ATI Graphics card fan ever since but I
custom build so I prefer an Intel CPU to an AMD CPU because I find them
superior and Intel has been courteous and helpful when I needed help
5. Other --BASIC and DOS and etc.-- . . . :-

"thanatoid" wrote:

"glee" wrote in
:

SNIP

#19. Remove a Dual Boot

SNIP

Also see:
How to manually remove Windows XP and then restore Windows
95, Windows 98, or Windows Millennium Edition
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314052

Thanks very much, Glen. Yes, since my 16 partitions are all
FAT32 I installed XP with FAT32.

I appreciate the advice, and the links look very useful as well.
I must say it never occurred to me to look in the MS knowledge
base, but their search terms are (or at least used to be)
practically a secret code - I once found a page which
"translated" them all to standard English words, and saved it,
but I can't find it, so I have given up on trying to find
anything in the KB a long time ago. (For all I know the search
engine /does/ use normal English now.)

But I am always pleasantly surprised that the KB links provided
by others are usually very useful and helpful. To be quite
honest, I think I really should try to end this anti-MS stance
that I /sort of/ have (it could be MUCH worse as I'm sure you
will agree). I actually find Apple's overall attitude (stunning
arrogance would be a better description) and some aspects of
their philosophy far more objectionable. (They sure have cute
designs, though.)

Best regards,
t.


--
[from a recent mental conversation]

thanatoid:
So why did you decide you wanted broadband after all your
endless babbling about how no one except DVD pirates really
needs it?

thanatoid:
My ISP is offering it for less than I am paying for dial-up now
AND the offer includes some other very attractive rate
reductions in the basic phone service charges. And I decided I
want to read my e-mail faster :-)

(to be continued)

"glee" wrote in
:

I couldn't tell you because I gave up on the MS KB search
engine a long time ago. I either search error message with
Google and some KB articles usually appear; or I use Google
to search the MS site specifically, using this format:
search terms or error message site:www.microsoft.com or
search terms or error message site:support.microsoft.com

Here are some of their search keywords, if you are
interested in trying them in their search engine (I find
Google much quicker):

How to query the Microsoft Knowledge Base by using keywords
and query words http://support.microsoft.com/kb/242450

Thanks for that link. It does appear the more cryptic terms have
been changed to fairly normal ones, but I would agree with you,
Googling will usually give you the same, quicker.

Regards,
t.