Goodbye, "boot.ini." Hello. "Boot Configuration Data."

New tools for managing Win7 and Vista system bootup

By Fred Langa When changing Windows 7 and Vista boot controls, don't look for the 'boot.ini' file, familiar to Win XP users. In Vista and Win7, Microsoft eliminated boot.ini and replaced it with the more-powerful Boot Configuration Data (BCD) store, tripping up a reader trying to track down a dual-boot problem.

Removing a false dual-boot option in Windows 7

Reader Michael Flitterman has run afoul of another area where Win7 differs significantly from XP.

• "Ever since installing Win7, my system now always starts up with a screen asking what OS I want to use, and both of the choices are Win7. Left alone, it times out in 30 seconds and then boots to my Win7 system. How can I remove this? I have looked for a boot.mgr or boot.ini file all over my system and can't find it."
  

Michael, there's no boot.ini in Windows 7 and Vista. Instead, they use a Boot Configuration Data (BCD) Registry. Microsoft says the reason for abandoning the boot.ini approach is that "BCD is more versatile than boot.ini, and it can apply to computer platforms that use means other than [the] basic input/output system (BIOS) to start the computer."

The rest of the lead item in my WindowsSecrets column this week walks you through the changes and the new tools needed to modify manage and repair boot-up issues.

Other topics in my column:

Return of the 'missing desktop' problem
Chuck Hartline's been struggling with a boot problem for a while.

• "Fred, I remember an answer in one of your columns about not being able to boot fully to the desktop. I remember you saying to bring up Task Manager and manually start Explorer.exe.

  "Well, it worked, and I've been booting up this way for months (seems like). Can you tell me how to fix this permanently?"
  

Window 7's backup action flag won't quit
Gary Hurst's backup subsystem seems stuck in limbo.

• "At some point I tried Win7's backup program. I didn't like it. Somehow, the Action Flag is showing the backup clock on it and says 'backup is in progress.'

  "Well, no backup is in progress. In fact the backup buttons now do nothing. But that pesky little clock is still on the Flag. In a word, HELP!"
  

A mouse problem: cursor moves by itself
Ray Sirmons' PC has turned into a Ouija board:

• "When I type, the cursor moves by itself, resulting in text being entered in the wrong place. I'm ready to trash this computer!"
  

All articles (not just mine)  this week: http://WindowsSecrets.com/comp/100401 Free content posted on April 1, 2010: INTRODUCTION By Brian Livingston Over 60,000 Lounge pages are now in Google Make search engines follow your spider trail Get your free Lounge membership today TOP STORY By Tracey Capen with Susan Bradley Security competition reveals new browser flaws Google's Chrome the 'winning' browser IE 8 gets new breach — and a new patch Safari may be the most-vulnerable browser Smartphones make a new and tempting target French team finds a security flaw in network cards LOUNGE LIFE By Tracey Capen Winning the battle against obscure malware Interesting questions raised on the Lounge WACKY WEB WEEK By Stephanie Small It's not April 1 without a pranking or two   Paid content: LANGALIST PLUS By Fred Langa Tools for managing Win7 and Vista system bootup Removing a false dual-boot option in Windows 7 Return of the 'missing desktop' problem Window 7's backup action flag won't quit A mouse problem: cursor moves by itself WOODY'S WINDOWS By Woody Leonhard Classic Shell puts XP Retro back into Win7 Put XP-like Start Menu and new tools in Win7 Classic Shell's start menu offers many options Enhance Win7's Explorer with CS extensions Asking myself why Microsoft didn't do this PATCH WATCH By Susan Bradley Microsoft releases an emergency patch for IE One patch fixes 10 IE security vulnerabilities Apple's big patch event has QuickTime fixes Issue/signup: http://WindowsSecrets.com/comp/100401 A portion of your support helps children in developing countries Each month, we send a full year of sponsorship to a different child. Your contributions in April are helping us to sponsor Brenda, a 5-year-old girl from Colombia. Children International channels development aid from donors to Brenda and her community. We also sponsor kids through Save the Children and Plan USA. More info

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