Windows 7: dual boot with XP as default- BCDEdit Denied

bhu · 11 Jan 2009

Hi
i have XP installed in my 320GB Hard disk having 2 partitions

Part XP
used for Data
unused part

i installed windows7 on 3 unused part. Now i get the dual boot but the
default is set to window 7 so it will boot this window in say 20 sec, i would like to set the default to the Earlier version which is XP,

i tried to open the boot.ini in XP (part1) this is what is there
;
;Warning: Boot.ini is used on Windows XP and earlier operating systems.
;Warning: Use BCDEDIT.exe to modify Windows Vista boot options.
;
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /NOEXECUTE=OPTIN /FASTDETECT /PAE

i opened cmd typed BCDEdit and it give me access denied.

Can some one please let me know how to set the default to XP.
thank you
bhu

johngalt · 11 Jan 2009

Hi9, bhu, and welcome to the forums.

I am guessing you have nto used Vista yet, either. The problem here is that, as the message states, the very first line:

Warning: Boot.ini is used on Windows XP and earlier operating systems.
;Warning: Use BCDEDIT.exe to modify Windows Vista boot options.

In other words, you need to use the BCDEdit.exe file to edit your boot settings. But, this is a major PITA.

I highly recommend that you use Download EasyBCD 1.7.2 - NeoSmart Technologies

bhu · 11 Jan 2009

Thankyou -Johngalt, yes i am XP guy, for some reason i never got to use vista.
Looks like this windows 7 is a better version of vista.
I have other Questions too i have to post as new topics.
Once again thank you.
-bhu

johngalt · 11 Jan 2009

And we'll be here to answer them.

a Move from XP to Windows 7 is admittedly a big change, and you'll have a lot to get used to that those of us using Vista have been used to already - this is just one example. UAC is going to be new, maneuvering around the context menu (especially on the desktop) and other things - but rest assured pretty much everything you could do with XP, with a few notable exceptions, you can still do with Windows 7.

davehc · 12 Jan 2009

Quick word of warning. If you intend to go on with dual booting, do not remove boot.ini or any of the other XP boot files. XP will still need them on the boot.

redaction · 13 Jan 2009

If you'll notice the original poster said he tried using BCDEDIT and it gave him an access is denied error. I get that also. Is this a bug with Windows 7/BCDEDIT? How (without downloading a 3rd party utility) do I change the Windows 7 boot sequence?

davehc · 14 Jan 2009

LOL. I have just taken the time to read the OP. The answer to the only question asked (probably too late now!).
Open the Control Panel (Classic view).
Open "System" and (on the left) "Advanced System settings"
Press the "Advanced" tab and then "Startup and Recovery"
In the first item, you can alter your default boot OS and the time.

limneos · 14 Jan 2009

Hello BHU....

To use BCDEDIT, you must open an elevated command prompt, otherwise you'll get Access Denied.

In elevated CMD , type:

BCDEDIT /displayorder {ntldr} /addfirst

reboot and windows xp is your default OS.

Anthony · 14 Jan 2009

Could you use "msconfig" boot tab select OS and set as default??

davehc · 14 Jan 2009

Yes. That also!

Windows 7: dual boot with XP as default- BCDEdit Denied

dual boot with XP as default- BCDEdit Denied problems?