How do you remove Server 03 from boot start menu?

[getting there]

I started to install Windows Server 2003 some time back, obvious now I had no idea what I was doing!

When realizing this looked like an OS rather than additional software for XP stopping the install process!

I have since had the Windows Server 2003 option on reboot startup and unfortunately it is on top of the list so if you are not there to choose XP it will fail to boot.

I removed the basic visual files findable at C:\ that server had installed and have just put up with having to be at the consol during startup to now.

But it is a bit annoying so if someone can help me remove server from startup option it would be great!

Thanks

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

Looks like you have activated the Windows Boot Manager.

So you still have an existing Windows XP on your C: drive? Can you post the contents of your (hidden) C:\boot.ini file? (This is where you can modify your boot menu.)

[getting there]

Looks like you have activated the Windows Boot Manager.

So you still have an existing Windows XP on your C: drive? Can you post the contents of your (hidden) C:\boot.ini file? (This is where you can modify your boot menu.)

[boot loader]

timeout=30

default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS

[operating systems]

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows Server 2003 for Small Business Server" /fastdetect

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect

I could workout a logical edit here that would likely fix it but will wait to learn correctly

Thanks

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

[boot loader]

timeout=30

default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS

[operating systems]

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows Server 2003 for Small Business Server" /fastdetect

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect

Just to be on the safe side, make a backup copy of the boot.ini file, then deleted the highlighted line.

Full details about the boot.ini file can be found in this article http://support.microsoft.com/kb/289022

[getting there]

[boot loader]

timeout=30

default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS

[operating systems]

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows Server 2003 for Small Business Server" /fastdetect

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect

Just to be on the safe side, make a backup copy of the boot.ini file, then deleted the highlighted line.

Full details about the boot.ini file can be found in this article http://support.microsoft.com/kb/289022

Editing boot.ini with notepad, the file could not be saved to the same place, it would not over rite.

The file was no longer hidden even with read only or hidden checked.

I could only save the moded file to another location then copy/over rite to C.

The saved backup I copied back to revert change just in case rather then possible boot fail.

Still looking on net but it is slow connection and plenty of "Buy this" to get past!

Will look at your microsoft link, thanks. Notice at this link the Sample Boot.ini File does not include /noexecute=optin, looking around for a bit about this!

[getting there]

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms791539.aspx

/noexecute

The /noexecute parameter enables, disables, and configures Data Execution Prevention (DEP), a set of hardware and software technologies designed to prevent harmful code from running in protected memory locations.

For more information about using the /noexecute parameter and the other parameters that affect DEP configuration, see Boot Parameters to Configure DEP and PAE.

Note DEP is a highly effective security feature. Do not disable DEP unless you have no alternative.

/noexecute={alwayson | optout | optin | alwaysoff}

Subparameter

alwayson

Enables DEP for the operating system and all processes, including the Windows kernel and drivers. All attempts to disable DEP are ignored.

optout

Enables DEP for the operating system and all processes, including the Windows kernel and drivers. However, administrators can disable DEP on selected executable files by using System in Control Panel.

optin

Enables DEP only for operating system components, including the Windows kernel and drivers. Administrators can enable DEP on selected executable files by using the Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT).

alwaysoff

Disables DEP. Attempts to enable DEP selectively are ignored.

On Windows XP with SP2, this subparameter also disables Physical Address Extension (PAE). This subparameter does not disable PAE on Windows Server 2003 with SP1.

[getting there]

Presumably this security feature would also work with a multi boot system and as Server 03 is XP’s equivalent I wonder why it did not show up in the boot.ini text for Server as with XP.

Could boot.ini be just edited using System in Control Panel to include extra security for your second OS if it is SP2 equivalent, perhaps Server 03 is not equivalent to XP SP2 in this area?

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

You don't have to check the options, just remove that line.

Uncheck the 'read-only' attribute before you start editing; this should let you save the changed file.

[getting there]

For those wishing to edit the boot.ini file to remove an entry (with XP SP3, possibly SP2 as well):

System/Advanced/Startup and Recovery/

Press Edit and save the file in a folder somewhere as Backup.

Before Editing; make sure the default operating system shows in the drop down menu window, this is the system you wish to retain as the single boot OS in my example.

If the default operating system is not showing in this window it will prevent you from deleting the other entry; however it will move the other entry down the list!

In my example I choose “Microsoft Windows XP Professional” rather than “Windows Server 2003”

You can then press edit and remove the line for “Windows Server 2003” in my example.

See all this post above for this example