when i start my computer i see two exactly same lines about starting win xp
home. i have only one license and i don't know how it came about, but i
always choose the first item.

Start with Check All Boot Paths...

Start | Run | Type: msconfig | Click OK |
Boot.ini tab | Check All Boot Paths button |
A dialog box will open detailing the location of any invalid operating
system locations | Confirm you want to remove the entry and reboot

[[Check All Boot Paths - This button will check the boot paths for all
operating systems listed in the BOOT.INI to ensure they point to a valid
operating system. ]]

Msconfig image
http://www.winnetmag.com/Files/16/20784/msconfig.gif

If there is only one you will get:
It appears that all BOOT.INI lines for Microsoft operating systems are OK.
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Also...

I have two installations of XP on the same partition
http://michaelstevenstech.com/xpfaq.html

Scroll down to and expand...
20. I have two installations of XP on the same partition.......

[[You reinstalled Windows XP on your computer thinking it would overwrite
the existing version of Windows XP and now there are two copies when you
boot up. Crap! What to do now? Not to worry, here's the solution.]]
http://www.cyberwalker.net/faqs/rein...copies-xp.html

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In news:B19D6870-3055-40D4-B307-777BE4CD63F0@microsoft.com,
which xp <which xp@discussions.microsoft.com> hunted and pecked:
> when i start my computer i see two exactly same lines about starting win
> xp home. i have only one license and i don't know how it came about, but i
> always choose the first item.