Let's start with this physical configuration.
HD(0) Pri Master
HD(1) Pri Slave
HD(2) Sec Master although doesn't need to be installed at this time.
For other HDs, ensure jumpers are set correctly. Easy to do ribbon cable but
jumpers get forgotten sometimes.

Set BIOS to boot first from HD(0).
So computer should boot up with C:\boot.ini
Default is "H" drive. Press enter or allow to time out.

You may want to create a backup copy first.
My Computer>rt click, "Properties>Advanced>Startup and Recovery>Settings>Edit

Delete these lines: ie C drive
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="XP Home Disk=0 Partition=1"
/fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Recovery Console C"
/cmdcons

Alter the other lines to look like this:
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="XP Home #1 Disk=0
Partition=1" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="XP Home #2 Disk=1
Partition=1" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
Note: I changed rdisk values and Home names.

Note I did not have you alter this line:
E:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Recovery Console E" /cmdcons
I believe Windows will reassign drive letter.
"H" drive should become "C". I don't know what it will reassign "E" drive.
You will have to edit again to correct drive designation for this line.
Note: According to the boot.ini, you do not have Recovery console on current
"H" drive. If it exist, again, you will have to edit ini file.

Note the default is unchanged.
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOW S

Shut down computer.
Setup this physical configuration.
HD(0) Pri Master old "H" drive
HD(1) Pri Slave old "E" drive
Ensure jumpers are set correctly. Easy to do ribbon cable but jumpers get
forgotten sometimes.

Computer BIOS is still set to boot first to HD(0) ie old "H" drive.

Computer should default to and boot up to old "H" drive.
I think it will now be "C" drive.
Note: I'm unsure what letter will be assigned to old "E" drive. Whatever it
is the ini file reference is still valid because it's only lookin at rdisk
and partition values.
Note: The Recovery Console will show in boot menu but unsure if drive
designation is correct.

You should have what you wanted two 200 gig HDD with XP Home on each and
bootable. If this should fail, which I don't think so, then you can always
put old "C" drive back in as HD(0) primary master sand boot with it.

Let me know!!!!!






--
Dennis S.
I''m from Illinois. I hope I helped you. Good Luck.


"Terry Pinnell" wrote:

> "Dixonian69" <Dixonian69@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>
> >Also, what is boot order in computer bios?
> >HD0, HD1 or HD2
>
> Thanks both.
>
> This file C:\boot.ini, dated 09/11/2005 22:37 looks as follows.
>
> [boot loader]
> timeout=5
> default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOW S
> [operating systems]
> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="XP Home #1 Disk=1
> Partition=1" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="XP Home Disk=0
> Partition=1" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
> C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Recovery Console C" /cmdcons
> E:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Recovery Console E" /cmdcons
>
> So you can see why I said boot.ini was consistent with default booting
> from HD1 partition 1.
>
> But *which* boot.ini is used to control booting? This file,
> H:\boot.ini, dated a little earlier at 09/11/2005 10:11
> has default at HD0 partition 1
>
> [boot loader]
> timeout=5
> default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOW S
> [operating systems]
> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="XP Home Disk=0
> Partition=1" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="XP Home #1 Disk=1
> Partition=1" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(2)partition(1)\WINDOWS="XP Home #2 Disk=2
> Partition=1" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
> C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Recovery Console C" /cmdcons
> E:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Recovery Console E" /cmdcons
>
> Is it important to ensure both files are identical? Or not identical?
> Or does it matter?
>
> I'm pleased that Dixonian69 has asked about the BIOS, because that's
> another area that has confused me. In the course of my many tests, I
> did change the boot sequence in BIOS, as well as using boot.ini and as
> well as physically swapping the drives (sometimes with 2 present,
> sometimes with 3). I will report back on the current BIOS sequence in
> a later post. Right now I'm postponing rebooting!
>
> I can say however that it was very ambiguous at one stage, with 2
> *identical* entries in the drop-down box in BIOS under the Boot tab.
> Presumably the first one implies you are selecting the *primary*, HD0,
> i.e. the one connected to the plug at the END of the cable?
>
> At present the two IDE options are the 60GB in the HD0 position (with
> partitions C (?) and F; the HD1 position is a 200GB with partitions H
> and J, as you saw from my screenshot. What I can't recall at this
> moment is what order the BIOS has these in.
>
> --
> Terry, West Sussex, UK
>
>