Windows 7: Won't boot without the DVD

OK, this feels a bit stupid but I can't seem to get Windows 7 to boot without the DVD in the drive. Without it I get NTLDR is missing etc etc. I have 2 Sata drives, one with XP on it and the other clean apart from an install of Windows 7.

I've arranged the boot order so that it tries to boot the Windows 7 drive first but to no avail. Is there something obvious I'm doing wrong?

When I give up and finally boot with the DVD in start up takes roughly 7 minutes. It all seems pretty strange. Once it's running all is fine, haven't had one issue or error yet.

AMD Phenom 9500
ATI Radeon 4870
4gig ram
2 HDD

Any ideas anyone?

Hello Kor, welcome to Windows 7 Forums.

Do you have both Windows 7 and XP listed on the boot menu?

Can you still boot into XP?

Which OS did you install last?












Later Ted

Well I have the boot menu options only once I have the DVD in the drive. I don't get anywhere near them without it in, it just gives me the NTLDR.

My options are Windows 7 or "An older version of windows". XP still boots.

Windows 7 was installed last.

Hello again.

Is that the "official" beta ISO d'led from MS, then burned to disk; or did it come from another source. It could be a bad version, also try re-burning it.















Later Ted

Official beta from MS.

Ok had a play around with it and got some odd results.

If I leave the DVD out I get NTLDR.
If I then restart with it in I get the boot menu
If I start Windows 7 from the boot menu with the DVD in startup takes around 6-9 minutes.

BUT

This time I started up with the DVD in.
Got the boot menu up.
Took out the DVD.
Windows 7 started in about 20 seconds.

Very puzzling.

Try booting to the Windows 7 disk and see if doing a repair will help.


















Later Ted

Well the repair sorted it. Thanks

It apparently didn't find any errors, but it booted fine right away.

Hello Kor.


I'm glad you've found a solution that works for you.















Later Ted