Windows 7: Windows 7 BOOT HELP !!!

Iv had windows xp installed on my computer for a while until windows 7 became available which i then installed on a dual boot but afterwards i wasnt able to access windows xp.

To fix it i used the xp installation disc but accidently did a fresh install over the xp partition so now im stuck with windows xp and i cant boot into windows 7.

Problem is that the windows 7 installion disc will no longer boot, and neither will any new disc I burn. i get boot error 5

Is there anyway i can get back into windows 7 without doing a fresh install???

it can probably be done, if you didn't format the Windows 7 partition or install XP to it. Can you attach a screenshot of disk management so we can have a look?

SS

If xp was installed first, then win 7 and was dual booted the boot files would be kept in the boot folder on the XP root directory. Since xp was re-installed it might not still be there.

Ken

yes that is correct and in that case you can recreate the boot files with the bcdboot command. And also need to reinstall the Windows 7 boot sector. Sometimes it's possible to do those things without having to reinstall Windows 7. I've done it many times.

SS

figured you knew but better to be safe.

DVD is dell's not win 7.

Thanks,

I think another problem that needs fixing (and maybe the one to focus on) is to get his computer to boot from the DVD again.

I've never had DVD stop working by installing XP or Windows 7.

to use the bcdboot command i would need to boot into the installation disc... which i cant .. dont know why i cant because i have been able to before up until after installing windows xp again

heres a screen .. from xp of course

http://img225.imageshack.us/i/screenwg.png/

Have you changed your BIOS settings to boot from DVD,

or are you limited to booting HDD with XP now?

What sort of 'Error messages' booting from DVD ?

Yeah. Two problems here. Fixing to boot from DVD would be my priority. Although if you can't figure it out we can still run some commands to get 7 up and running.

you need a boot folder and bootmgr file on the C: drive

you can copy them from the Windows 7 DVD. Just pop it in your drive.

now all is left is to fix the boot sector and modify the Operating System entries. I would use EasyBCD for that, to make life a little easier.

ok so ive got the files ... i put them on the C drive .. that being my spare hard drive not the partition of xp or windows 7

EasyBCD says it wants to edit my boot to be vista ?? is that ok ??

can i even use easyBCD on xp .. its saying it cannot find my boot