Windows 7: Windows boot manager will not boot 7

I have 2 hard drives. One HD is XP and it boots fine from boot manager. The other drive has Windows 7 and gives me error code oxc000000e in boot manager when I try to boot it. I have XP as the default on IDE and Windows 7 is on SATA. I loaded 7 on the SATA though while disconnecting XP IDE drive to avoid any possible conflicts.

None of my keyboard keys give me the luxury to bring up a direct boot list like other forum posters I have read. My only other option is going in bios and changing boot priority. Windows 7 boots fine when I do that.

Windows Boot Manager would allow fastest boot to avoid going into bios every time choosing what OS I want. How can I safely edit the BCD? It seems complicated but I know I could do it with a good instructor.



I just want to be able to turn my computer on and have the Boot manager pop up and let me choose what OS I want to boot.

Any help would be appreciated. Thank You.

Hello Beta Boy, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Since you disconnected the XP drive during installation, the boot entry for Windows 7 was never added to the default boot file on the XP drive. You should be able to run a Startup Repair with your Windows 7 installation disc to fix this.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Glad you could join us at the sevenforums! You came to the right place for the answer on that one!

Without having the XP drive plugged in the 7 boot files, BCD store, and mbr entries were placed on the sata drive by default. To see 7 startup without going into the bios look for the boot device menu if available often the F1, F8, or F12 key is pressed right after the first post screen appears and the lights on the keyboard flash for the first time. You then select the sata drive from the hard drive listing there.

For seeing XP added into the 7 BCD you will first need to go into the menu bar>folder options>view tab in any Windows Explorer window to uncheck the hide protected operating system files and files with known extensions items there. Once visible while browsing you will need to copy the XP boot files NT Detect.com, ntldr, and a copy of the boot.ini file over to the root of the 7 drive.

The next step once the files are present on the 7 root directory would start off with a review on the tutorial on how to go about setting up a dual in the second part. Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP

The tool for seeing the XP entry called EasyBCD is available at Download EasyBCD 1.7.2 - NeoSmart Technologies with the general documentation seen at EasyBCD Documentation Home - NeoSmart Technologies Wiki

Once you have the XP entry successfully added into the 7 boot loader you will need to go into the bios then in order to change the default boot device to the sata drive in the boot order section found there. You still keep XP as the default OS however in the system>advanced system settings>startup and recovery section in 7 or made easier by the setting section in the EasyBCD tool itself.

Thanks for trying to help me Windows 7 forum members Brink & Nighthawk. Unfortunately I'm still dumbfounded by this. I downloaded EasyBCD tool. I opened tool and clicked view settings tab and this is what I have.

There are 2 OS listed listed in the Vista Boot Loader

Default OS: Windows XP PRO SP3
(I changed the OS name before it was Earlier Version Of Windows) So You All Know

Entry #1

Name: Windows XP PRO SP3
BCD ID: {ntldr}
Drive: C:\
Bootloader Path: \ntldr


Entry #2

Name: Windows 7
BCD ID: {1655598f-4764-ndeb9od-d69a417168ao}
Drive: C:\
Bootloader Path: \Windows\system32\winload.exe
Windows Directory: \Windows

I tried putting my 7 DVD I created and ran start up repair per Brink's suggestion and that did not work. The explanations by Nighthawk are confusing to me and I'm sorry for that. I tried writing another MBR with the EasyBCD tool and that did not work either.

XP will boot selecting from the Windows Boot Manager but Windows 7 still comes up with that error oxc000000e and a message I forgot to mention earlier underneath saying the device is not accessable (meaning obviously Windows 7 hard drive can't boot)

I can still go into bios and make the Windows 7 hard drive my first boot priority and it boots fine. I do not get the Windows Boot Manager when I do boot from the Windows 7 hard drive 1st priority I will mention. I only get the Boot Manager When I make XP my 1st Boot Priority. I know I could use EasyBCD Tool and write MBR on the Windows 7 hard drive and form the Windows Boot Manager for that drive. I'm afraid that would just add to my problem and I wouldn't be able to boot XP in the Windows Boot Manager and I would only be able to boot Windows 7.

My bios is a Pheonix Award Bios and I'm running a custom built P4 machine/2 gigs DDR mem (I built) so I have an older system just so you know not that it nessessarily matters in this situation. I just thought I mention.

I think my bios is simply to much a dinasaur. My machine still does every thing I need it to and have not upgraded my motherboard to support a duo, dual or quad processor just yet. Although I itch every day just no money now (out of work) I do not have any keyboard F-key option to get a hard drive boot list with this bios. I have tried 1 thru 12 and nothing happens.

I have to go all the way in bios to change boot priority and it simply a pain with this board and I guess for now I just will have to suck it up if I can't figure how to modify Boot Manager correctly for ability to conveniently boot OS I want.

I apreciate anyone who can help as I gave more detailed information that may able someone to help me simpler I hope. I understand what my problem is within the BCD but I'm having a hard time grasping how to take instructions and steps given by Nighthawk to actually fix it.

Hi,

Do you have the files ntldr, ntdetect.com and Boot.ini on the 7 HD.?

To see them , you need to got to Folder Options and put a dot in "Show Hidden files, folders and drives".

Also , untick "Hide Protected Operating system files".

Click Apply, OK.

Hello SIW2,

Where do I find Folder options in Windows 7? I have no clue where to click to get there.

BETA BOY
First welcome to SF. To get to folder options go to start and type folder options into search. Then click on folder options and use the view panel

Folder Options - Open

Good luck and welcome aboard

Ken

Thanks Ken..

I appreciate that. I will check back shortly to report what I find..

Jason (Beta Boy)

I took a clipboard image of my Windows 7 Hard Drive This is what I have. I don't even know where to begin to add files ntldr, ntdetect.com and Boot.ini on the 7 HD.

Why can't I add the Windows 7 boot files to the XP hard drive and do the same thing? Is that possible?

BB
did you attach the clip? the prefered way is described in the tutorial section, but make sure its <100K and 100x100 pixels.

K