I created a Windows XP dual boot of SP2 + SP3 by mistake but only 1 partition? How do I delete SP3 partition?

Question

Ok,

so I told my gf that I'd do an upgrade on her Laptop. She has XP SP2 installed. I wanted to do an upgrade of SP2 to SP3. I changed the boot sequence from hard-drive first to CD/DVD in order for it to run from CD. I inserted the SP3 CD in as I rebooted and it prompted me to press any key to boot from CD. I continued on and it prompted me to choose a partition to setup the install. I chose C drive and on it went. It started copying the files to Hard-drive and rebooted. I then bottled it so I ejected the CD thinking I should have created a restore point or backed up the computer files. It then tried to continue into the windows installation procedure with the windows logo but it asked me to insert the disk to continue the installation. It didn't give me the option to abort so I inserted the disk and it carried on with the installation. It loaded onto a newly desktop and my heart sunk. It looked like I'd installed over everything. I restarted the computer. I then found that it gave me a dual boot option where I could choose to either boot into SP3 (newly installed), or SP2 (the original setup she had with all her files, folders and computer settings as they were before the install of SP3).

Now, I was relieved that her files folders and settings had not been overwritten, but I want to know now how I delete the SP3 installation from her computer leaving SP2 installed by itself again so I can do the upgrade like I was meant to.

I tried deleting SP3 by going to the programs list and deleting it but its not in the list (this is either of the SP2 or SP3 program menu's). All's it says is SP1 and SP2 and underneath each are files related to the servicepack. The SP2 servicepack files have been updated from todays date which leads me to think that the SP2 files have been updated with SP3's newer versions of thise files. Are these the registry files or files that belong to the MBR? If so, does it mean that both SP2 and SP3 are using the same files to boot up and that if I delete SP3 that SP2 will be without these important files to boot up with? Also I tried looking at deleting the SP3 partition but there's only 1 partition there (which I am really confused about).

I tried using system restore, to maybe take her computer back to how it was 2 days ago to take it back to its original setup before I did the SP3 install tonight but the SP3 boot option didnt go away.

So thats it guys...I dont know what to do next. I know I should have upgraded from SP2 to SP3 now by inserting and clicking on the SP3 disk when I was logged on instead of booting from CD but I only found out after I made my mistakes.

What do I do to get rid of SP3 leaving a safe workable SP2 partition?

Answer 1

That is NOT how to install SP3! Lets fix the 'dual boot' problem first, then I'll tell you how to update the service pack...



Backup the Boot.ini file. To do this, click Start, Run, type XCopy /H C:\Boot.ini C:\Boot.org

then press Enter and F.



The first task is to determine which entry in Boot.ini is valid. To do this, click Start, right-click My Computer, and click Properties. Click Advanced.



Under Startup and Recovery, click Settings.



Click the Edit button. You should see something similar to this (blank lines inserted for clarity)

XP Home used as an example.





[Boot Loader]



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



timeout=30



[Operating Systems]



multi(O)disk(0)rdisk(O)partition(l)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP



Home" /fastdetect



multi(O)disk(0)rdisk(O)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP



Home" /fastdetect





After the first opening quote, insert #1 and a space.



After the second opening quote, insert #2 and a space.



The [Operating Systems] section should now be similar to this.





[Operating Systems]



multi(O)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(l) \WINDOWS="#1 Microsoft Windows XP



Home" /fastdetect



multi(O)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="#2 Microsoft Windows XP Home" /fastdetect





Click File, Exit, and Yes to save the changes and close Notepad.

Restart the computer. The OS list on startup will show something like



#1 Microsoft Windows XP Home #2 Microsoft Windows XP Home



Choose #1. If it boots, that is the functional copy. If not, restart and choose #2.



The second task is to remove the invalid entry from Boot.ini.



Log on to an account with administrator's rights. Click Start, right-click My Computer, and click Properties.



Click Advanced. Under Startup and Recovery, click Settings.



Under Default operating systems, select the item (identified by #1 or #2) corresponding to the working version of Windows.



Click the Edit button. If #1 is the functional copy, delete the line containing #2; if #2 is the functional copy, delete the line containing #1. Click File, Exit, and Yes to save the changes and close Notepad.



Click OK and OK, then restart the computer.



©Techno

------------------------------



To update to SP3, download and install the file below, make a restore point first!



http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=24 ☺

Answer 2

I don't know why you updated using a disc!



SP3 would have been downloaded and installed by the automatic updates!



Not only that SP3 should have been installed about 3 years ago.



Also another thing I fail to see why people always have this urge to go into the BIOS to change the boot sequence every time they want to install anything.



It's totally unnecessary because it would have found the disc anyway!



The boot sequence should always be CD/DVD drives first and then the hard drive.



You taking the disc out during installing it appears that you have corrupted the update.



The only thing you can do is try and remove the partition. Failing that your only option now is to back everything off you can and reinstall XP.



Sorry to say this looks like another "a little knowledge is a dangeous thing" scenario.



If your not confident in doing something then always get someone round who knows what they are doing!

Answer 3

Utorrent is astonishing for downloading Nero. I want Nero 7 extremely to Nero 8. additionally means ISO 3 is a stable software. the two those could make a picture report replica of your homestead windows XP CD Sorry, i won't be able to answer approximately SP3 and SP2

Answer 4

To find out which drive letter matches which boot entry in "boot.ini" you can download

ArcPaths utility from http://www.boyans.net/ArcPaths/ArcPaths.htm.

The utility matches DOS drive letters to ARC paths.



After finding out which drive holds SP3 :

1) Format drive

2) Edit boot.ini to get rid of boot entry for SP3



After that you will have only XP SP2 installatrion and no dual-boot menu.

Answer 5

sorry i did not read all of what you said (I HAVE ADD) but if i did that I would just save all hey crap and then do a whole new install and reset it to what you need