Dual-boot confuzzlement

[Arclight]

I've got Win7 RC 64-b installed on my primary HD. A while ago, I installed XP 32-b to a secondary disk. As a result, Win7 wouldn't boot anymore, so I booted from a Win7 disk and restored the boot sector. Win7 boots fine, but I don't have the option to boot XP.

Is there something I can modify to get a multi-boot menu and select XP?



Never dabbled in this particular topic of the dark arts, so I'm at a loss at the moment. :doh:

[FIREWALL]

Hi Arclight :DL

I partitioned C drive and installed W7 Ultimate 64 and XP Pro sp2.

Did you Partition ?

[Arclight]

Ugh, where are my manners. :nope:

Hiya, FIREWALL. :salute:

Aye, been running this setup for a while;

HD connected to SATA0 port: 1 partition for OS (contains Win7), 1 for data
HD connected to SATA1 port: 1 partition for secondary OS (contains XP, but can't boot), 1 for media
HD connected to SATA2 port + HD connected to SATA3 port in RAID0: 1 partition for page-file, 1 for game installs.

So I have Win7 on that first disk on it's first partition, running and all, and XP is installed on the first partition of that second disk, but no way to boot. I figure I just need to modify the boot.ini or something, but I don't know what to do with it. :06:

[FIREWALL]

Hmmm :hmmm: I don't know if you can put them on separate hdd.

Win7 is the dominate OS.

Hey People !!!! We need some help here. :DL

I'm basicialy doing the same thing you are but, I think in a different way.

btw I'll stay here with you to see how this works out.

I'm on my first cup of morning coffee. :DL

[Arclight]

That's reassuring, but you'll probably last longer than me though; almost 19:00 over here. :lol:
Hmm, time for diner. Think I'll just pop something in the oven. :hmmm:

I think "normally" you install XP first and then paste Win7 on top of it, all on the same partition. But there has to be a way to make this work... just because I say so. :cool:

[longam]

You always have to install the lowest OS first. XP then Vista then Windows 7.

XP will then control the boot loader.


Acronis makes a boot manager that's not to expensive.

http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/diskdirector/multibooting.html

[FIREWALL]

You always have to install the lowest OS first. XP then Vista then Windows 7.

XP will then control the boot loader.

I don't think so. Just got off the phone with MS.

Win7 first.

edit: I have a close ( GEEK/Hacker ) friend on the way over here (my house) will explain how-to.

[longam]

I guess you can with a command called BCDEDIT, I'll have to check this out.

What happened to the boot.ini file?

In earlier versions of Windows, boot.ini was a system file that contained information about the Windows operating systems installed on a computer. This information was displayed during the startup process when you turned on your computer. It was most useful in multiboot (mshelp://windows/?id=bf3af83c-4057-4c97-874d-4e2f1482ec8c#gtmt_multiboot_def) configurations, or for advanced users or administrators who needed to customize how Windows started.
In this version of Windows, the boot.ini file has been replaced with Boot Configuration Data (BCD). This file is more versatile than boot.ini, and it can apply to computer platforms that use means other than basic input/output system (BIOS) (mshelp://windows/?id=1a289187-1dc5-4a73-a0b5-abedc6e6d5a5#gtmt_basic_input_output_system__bios_ _def) to start the computer.

[Arclight]

Wow, FW, can't believe the amount of effort you're putting into this. You too, Longam, you honor me. :shucks:

There's no rush though. I just found out Crysis runs like crap on this install, so I figured I'd try and get that XP install running. Serves me right for my overly complicated set-ups. :lol:

[FIREWALL]

I guess you can with a command called BCDEDIT, I'll have to check this out.


Very interesting longam. :hmmm:

I'm going to reread Arclights 1st post again.

I'm thinking he put Win7 on one hdd and XP on the other.

I could be wrong. Thats why the reread.

[longam]

Just something to new to learn, always fun to do. Besides that, I have my original install of Vista sitting on a HD doing nothing, so this will be a project for me tonight setting up the dual boot for that OS.

@FW I don't think that would mater, would it?

[FIREWALL]

When the Geek gets here I'll know for sure. :haha:

But the MS tech said W7 first. :doh: :DL

To be honest I didn't ask about separate hdd's.


I don't want to " Assume " anything.

We all know what that word means. :haha:

[Arclight]

Yes, they're on separate drives. Should be possible, I think the "Win7 first, then XP" only applies if you put it on the same partition. In that case, the Windows installer takes care of setting it up. :hmmm:

Gonna have some diner. :yep:

[NeonSamurai]

Though you can install the os's in any order, its usually easier to install the older one first (xp) and then the newest one, that is because you want to use the boot loader from the newest one, and if you install the oldest second, you will have to redo the master boot record with the new os.

Anyhow you will probably want to use EasyBCD to fix your boot manager so that it also shows xp.

http://neosmart.net/dl.php?id=1
http://neosmart.net/wiki/display/EBCD/EasyBCD+Documentation+Home;jsessionid=227DEB60B89C B6EEBEB694709DE4F5F5

EasyBCD works fine with windows 7


Lastly don't forget to move your boot.ini file from windows xp to your windows 7 root directory. You will also probably have to edit it some so you don't get two boot menus.


Otherwise what you are doing is the same thing as a vista & xp dual boot setup, so any instructions are the same. This is what I am currently running (though on 2 partitions on one sata drive). As far as I am aware there are no issues with using mutiple drives with SATA, just make sure your version of xp properly supports SATA otherwise you may have to make a custom install disk and slipstream the SATA drivers into it.

[Fincuan]

One more vote for EasyBDC. Easy to use, free and works. That was what saved my day when the ***!"#!¤#¤*** Windows 7 overwrote Grub, a live-cd wasn't at hand and I wanted my Ubuntu back.

[longam]

Anyhow you will probably want to use EasyBCD to fix your boot manager so that it also shows xp.

Well that makes it easy, thanks NeonSamurai

[Arclight]

Though you can install the os's in any order, its usually easier to install the older one first (xp) and then the newest one, that is because you want to use the boot loader from the newest one, and if you install the oldest second, you will have to redo the master boot record with the new os.

Anyhow you will probably want to use EasyBCD to fix your boot manager so that it also shows xp.

http://neosmart.net/dl.php?id=1
http://neosmart.net/wiki/display/EBCD/EasyBCD+Documentation+Home;jsessionid=227DEB60B89C B6EEBEB694709DE4F5F5

EasyBCD works fine with windows 7


Lastly don't forget to move your boot.ini file from windows xp to your windows 7 root directory. You will also probably have to edit it some so you don't get two boot menus.


Otherwise what you are doing is the same thing as a vista & xp dual boot setup, so any instructions are the same. This is what I am currently running (though on 2 partitions on one sata drive). As far as I am aware there are no issues with using mutiple drives with SATA, just make sure your version of xp properly supports SATA otherwise you may have to make a custom install disk and slipstream the SATA drivers into it.
There's something that worries me: Win7 creates a small partition before creating the partition it actually installs to. I'm not sure it plays a part during boot though. :hmmm:
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj2/EZatHome/diskm.jpg
Gonna see what I can do at this point. Thanks to everyone for the input. :salute:

[NeonSamurai]

Vista does the same thing, though off hand I don't know what that hidden partition is for.

[Arclight]

Slightly more painfull than strictly nescesary, but it's sorted. :yeah:

Created the entry in EasyBDC, which informed me that ntldr and ntdetect.com were missing. I changed a setting related to the new entry to point it to the partition containing XP, and then copied ntldr and ntdetect.com to the root of that partition.

Boot.ini didn't need relocating; XP put it in the right place during the install I did a while ago... you know, when it trashed Win7's boot... thingy. :DL

Thanks to all, you've made my life that much easier. :D :salute:

*aparently that small partition can serve as a replacement for the DVD in case you need any of the tools. Don't quote me on that though.

[longam]

Didn't work for me, It keeps saying the other drive is drive letter U when it is D. :hmmm:

[NeonSamurai]

This may help a bit

http://neosmart.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1068
http://apcmag.com/how_to_dual_boot_vista_and_xp_with_vista_installed _first__the_stepbystep_guide.htm?page=4

[CaptainHaplo]

Easiest thing to do really is just manually edit your boot.ini file on the master drive and partition

Looks like this:

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

This is for a single boot system - but you just add the additional operation systems with arguements that you want - pointing it to the correct disk/partition
For example - if win7 is 0/0/0/1 (which is likely is) and XP is on the second partition - then xp is on 0/0/0/2
If its on the second drive - its /0/1/0/1

You can of course use a third party boot manager - or LiLo which many of my linux friends insist is the best option, but I personally just make the change manually in the boot.ini file.

[tomfon]

Hi. I've been looking for a guide for this dual-boot issue cause i'll be soon doing it for my laptop and i found the following online guide. As i said i haven't tried it yet but it sure looks promising i.e. no room for misunderstandings. Please tell me your opinion. The guide too refers to the EasyBCD solution.:arrgh!:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/8057-dual-boot-installation-windows-7-xp.html

[Arclight]

Can't really comment on something I barely grasp. I needed help for a reason. :lol:



Longam, any luck yet? :06:

[tomfon]

Well, at least i tried. I thought it would help. Good luck!

[longam]

Longam, any luck yet? :06:

That other drive is my original Dell drive with the mirrored partition at the root. I think matbe that is keeping the drive from being recognized properly.

[kiwi_2005]

You always have to install the lowest OS first. XP then Vista then Windows 7.

XP will then control the boot loader.


Acronis makes a boot manager that's not to expensive.

http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/diskdirector/multibooting.html

Yep thats the way it works, might be different with Win 7 but like longam said always the lowest OS first on C then Vista on D etc., A partition manager will let you choose any OS to be first to boot so it wouldn't matter otherwise. I use 'Paragon Partition Manager 10', lets you setup partitions, choose what OS you want to make active/primary boot, boot loader wizard , retrieve deleted partitions <-- the retrieve option has saved my arse many times.

When i tried a early version of Win 7 back in august (XP on C, Vista on D win 7 on E and games on F). Win7 decided to delete my games drive during the setup! 120gigs wiped. :( Paragon got it back thou and it was bye bye Win7 after a week.

edit: If anyone cares.. make sure Paragon manager 10 is the server edition comes with far better tools

[NeonSamurai]

Other then it is the last OS installed that's bootloader is used. That is why you have to fix the boot partition if you do the install in reverse. Also you want to use the most recent bootloader as the older versions may not be compatible with the newer OS.

As far as I know the xp boot loader does not handle vista or win7, you need to use the vista/win7 bootloader for it to work, also you need to copy the boot.ini file from the xp install to the vista folder.

Anyhow here is some info on how to manualy edit the vista bootloader using bcdedit (comes with vista). http://www.flexbeta.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=8373


longham if you like I can try to walk you through editing it manually if we can't get easybcd to work. But I will need to know exactly how your set up, meaning how many drives, on which partitions/drives/directories are the os's installed, what you have tried to do, which bootloader is running and which os is working and not working.