Help: Restore Original (Default) Boot Screen [WinXP]

[SkuLL]

Hi again!

After a lot of troubles with my Windows XP PC, I've finally got it to work - I was told in the shop that it needed a new power source.

I have another problem now, however - there is a custom boot screen (one I installed years ago) that always shows up - it doesn't bother me, but I can't install XP SP3 if I have a custom boot screen.

[Using a program - no luck ]
I remember I've changed the boot screen using TuneUp Utilities before. When I install TuneUp, it still shows a choice between the 'Windows-Standard' boot screen and the 'Current' boot screen. They both look like the default one (which they shouldn't - the 'Current' one is white) and when I try to select Windows-Standard, it always goes back to 'Current' (effectively not letting me reset the boot screen). So no luck changing it back there. I've also tried StyleXP and Bootskin, but they all show that the default (black) screen is being used... while really I still see the custom one every time I restart.

[Using Windows CD to repair - no luck ]
I tried a repair installation from the XP CD, but the boot screen remains the same.

[Using Command or Recovery Console - no idea? ]
I found a few hints at how to copy the original boot.ini and whatnot, using command prompt and a few links for a downloadable ntoskrnl.exe, but I either don't trust the links or my skills in performing this kind of repair...

Any help would be greatly appreciated (again)!!!!

 

[Little Robot]

I'm pretty sure that this is part of Windows, as opposed to your BIOS, but correct me if I'm wrong. Here's what you should do (or at least, this is the easiest method I can think of).

1. Backup all your data onto an external storage device.
2. Insert your Windows installation CD
3. Turn off the computer
4. Restart the computer. When it's booting up, you should see a screen with the manufacturer's logo on it.
5. You will see some text along the bottom of the screen while the logo is showing. Something like "Press F12 for boot device options." Press the button described there (don't press the button which is for "BIOS" or "Set Up Options").
6. The computer will boot to the Windows installation CD, and you can do a clean install. You may even be able to upgrade from there, but I wouldn't count on it.

This ought to work, but there might be easier methods of just removing your boot screen. I don't know about that, though, so I'll just say that my instructions ought to work. The only issue is backing up your data (which is a pain in the ass).

EDIT: I assume you've seen this already, but it seems like it may be helpful.

 

[SkuLL]

Thanks for the reply, Little_Robot.

I've tried booting from the original Windows XP CD, and even did a repair installation. That changed nothing. I might do a full format with a clean installation of Windows, but that's a lot of work at the moment...

I saw that link - it seems a bit difficult, so I didn't trust myself with it. I'll try the first method in that link, see what happens.