How do I remove 'Earlier version of windows' from boot options?

[TarekElsakka]

Hello there

I have two partitions, one 400GB one and another 40GB one. The 400GB is the main one, of course, with Windows 7 Home Premium installed on it, while I created the other one so I can install Windows XP. For some reason the XP installation failed no matter how many times I tried, and it actually ended up screwing a lot of things and I wasn't able to boot into my Windows 7 until I installed Windows 7 on my 39GB partition and then I got the boot menus back.

Anyway, after deleting the newly installed Windows 7 (and also from the startup options), I still have "Earlier version of Windows" as well as "Windows 7". Of course Windows 7 is set as default, but I'd rather that I don't have to choose since I don't really have an 'earlier version of windows' and I do not know how to remove it.

I tried going to msconfig > boot but it's not listed there. I also tried Advanced System Settings and "Settings" under Startup and Recovery but there is text file anymore that has the startup options like Windows XP did.

What do I do? How do I remove it?

Thanks guys

 

[Brink]

Hello TarekElsakka,

You might check to see if you may be able to delete the entry using OPTION TWO or OPTION THREE in the tutorial below.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2288-windows-boot-manager-delete-listed-operating-system.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[TarekElsakka]

Thank you, mate, I am going to try those when I get back home. I appreciate the help!

 

[gregrocker]

There;s also a possibility after going through all that you have a bad disk configuration. If you'll post back a screenshot of your maximized Disk Mgmt drive map and listings we can look it over for you. Use the Snipping Tool in Start Menu, attach using paper clip in reply box.

In the future XP will always steal your Win7 boot away when installed last. Mark Win7 or it's 100mb boot partition Active and run Startup Repair 3 separate times to start Win7 again. Then add XP using EasyBCD.

 

[TarekElsakka]

Thanks for your reply.

So if I understand this correctly, I should install Windows XP to the 39GB partition and then use EasyBCD in order to set Windows 7 as the default boot?

 

[gregrocker]

Yes, as suspected you have cut out the 100mb System Reserved partition intended to boot Win7. Mark System Reserved Partition Active then run Startup Repair - Run up to 3 Separate Times until System Reserved holds the System Active flags.

This is the same regimen you will run after XP steals the boot when installed last. Once Win7 starts install EasyBCD to add XP. EasyBCD (click Download - no Name or Email required)

Before installing XP I would delete it's unnecessarily Logical-format partition. Partition or Volume - Delete

Then during booted XP install create and full format a primary partitiion there to get the best shot at success.