Triple boot 2 Windows 7 and 1 XP in one hard drive help

The boot files are already on XP partition - smart idea or not - as they would be naturally if Win7 was installed second to XP. And if he were to clean install to i they would remain on XP and be updated there again.

I didn't say you can't install Win7 to Logical, even though it is meant for data and cannot be marked Active to receive the System files so that it can be used to stage the Dual- or Triple-boot. However you can Convert it to Primary using Partition Wizard bootable CD if you want to move the System boot files there - then mark Active and run Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times

Perhaps the best option is to mark Active and run 3 Startup Repairs with reboots on the image on I to start it, then add the others using EasyBCD. This will settle up front the issue of whether the image is going to start, then use it to stage the triple boot.

Hello guys,

Just got home awhile earlier and I gave it a shot. Using the existing image backup it failed again. There were no logs! It just showed Acronis Failed with a red X mark. So I tried to validate it and lo and behold it was "corrupted". So that was why it failed. The log can only be seen when you validate it and not when it actually fails..tsk..bad interface.

So I used a different image, did not select Track 0 and System Reserve. It did went through! Nice. It finished successfully.

Then I did a Start-up Repair as guided by the link you gave. And now it's okay!

Then a thought came to my mind of maybe I can use EasyBCD... So I tried using another image(validated) of the dualboot. Did not select Track 0 / System Reserve(as instructed) and installed over the WD320_Back(I). It also went through. Then I used EasyBCD>Add Entry> and selected the OS and drive letter (I). Renamed the item to WD320_SGT_KIS12_W7. Then reboot. It also went through okay. In fact I am using it now!!!!

Great help guys! Now I know how to do it 2 ways! Checked the system if it will boot okay around 3-4x and it did flawlessly! You guys rock!

Now the only issue I have is that I cannot see the Disk management view. It shows blank still ...Any ideas....? Does having EasyBCD and iReboot affect it? or maybe EASEUS Partition Master Pro..?



The dualboot was made with XP first and then installing Windows 7. It did place the boot folder in XP. Initially this drive was only for dualboot. I used an additional IDE drive for a separate Windoes 7 Basic(that was the Seagate that died on me). Did not have the time to do a clean install as this was only previously a test pc for software prior migration of that software to the other units I have. This also had already 3 hdd failures...all Seagate IDE drives from China and Thailand. Had been at it with the RMA system of Seagate for 1+ year now and replaced them 3x. Those replacement hdd's was really problematic to me and the previous failure was the last straw. Finally I am on Western Digital. Never let me down...yet.

However you can Convert it to Primary using Partition Wizard bootable CD if you want to move the System boot files there - then mark Active and run Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times

-- I am gonna take a look at that and will try that out once I get the new 500gb drive. I'll try it out there first so I can see what will I have to do. Is that Partition Wizard bootable CD freeware?

You have significant corruption if DIsk Management will not load. Run SFC -SCANNOW Command to see if System files can be repaired. If not run a Repair Install or consider a Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 which itself will correctly configure the triple boot.

-- Will do thanks!

I would not use Easeus which can fail, as can any installed Partition Manager except Disk Manager. Use free Partition Wizard bootable CD which is the only manager which will not ever fail. Partition Wizard

But for now you can post up an Easeus screenshot so we can check it over.

I'm assuming you added I from XP which held the boot files. So you have all three choices now working on the Multi-Boot menu? If so there's no reason to move the boot files for now - only when you're ready to delete XP and recover it's System boot files and disk space into Win7.

@gregrocker,

Kindly see the image below. Will perform SFC -SCANNOW tomorrow. I am sleepy now

We know the XP partition continues to hold all 3 OS's boot files because it holds the System flag. If all three are working OK then you can leave it that way. You've done well. Sleep tight.

@gregrocker,

Kindly see images of EASEUS Partition Master view and Disk Managament view in the XP partition.






Thank you.

Is each OS seen as C when booted into it?

I would mark XP Active now so it is less likely to have it's System Boot files derailed during any future repairs or reinstalls.

If you decide to remove XP, move the System boot files to a Primary partition holding Win7 by Marking Partition Active, then running Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times until it boots and holds the System Active flags. You can then add any other OS's using EasyBCD from that partition's OS.

@gregrocker,

Is each OS seen as C when booted into it?

-- Yes. I see that it's all marked as C.

I would mark XP Active now so it is less likely to have it's System Boot files derailed during any future repairs or reinstalls

.
-- How may I do that?

Thank you so much for the assistance here I really appreciate it. I'll wait and try it out when I get home as I am ow in the office. We just changed shifting schedule.

Thank you again :)

It's linked twice in the thread: Partition - Mark as Active