Windows-boot.ini file manipulation

The windows file "Boot.ini" is very important in dual boot systems. If you are installing Xp and win98 or two installations of xp, the default booting OS and the time to wait for allowing the user to choose the OS can be set by modifying this file.

The file can be found at "c:\boot.ini" in all windows systems. as it is a system file it will hidden and wont be visible in the c:\.
To open the file

1. first goto C:\ and choose the "Tools" menu.
   
2. In tools Goto"folder options"
   
3. In folder options goto "view" and choose the show hidden files. This will show the operating system files. be careful and don't delete any operating system files.
4. Enter "C:\boot.ini" in the address bar of the "C:\" folder
   

A file will open in notepad and it will have the following data

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect

1. Now the default boot OS is the OS on "partition(2)". You can set the default OS to partition(1) by changing the line"default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS" to"default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS"
2. The time to wait can be set by changing the value of the number in the line "timeout=30"
3. After making the required changes save the file.

When you reboot the changes would have taken place. Its a good idea to have a copy (in a separate place)of the boot.ini file before making any changes to it. Even after this if you have problems just comment below and i will try to help.