Dual boot windows 7 and XP Error while trying to install XP

GreenDayx3 · 26 Mar 2013

Here's the situation. I already have windows 7 64 bit Ultimate edition installed. I wanted to install a second OS together with my windows 7. I followed this guide,Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP to the letter. I managed to install windows xp without any problems. But the thing is, it was 64bit, I realised i needed a 32 bit version. I uninstalled it, removed XP from EasyBCD. So, I tried to install a 32 bit windows xp using the same method. The installation was copying the files to install and rebooted. But then, I wasn't able to get past beyond that. My MBR was somehow screwed up. I repaired it with my windows 7 recovery disk. Problem solved. But I still couldn't install XP. So I tried to install XP using a USB - Install XP from USB - Tutorials - reboot.pro But this time, after the installation files were copied and my computer was rebooted, it gave me an error,
WINDOWS ROOT>\SYSTEM32\NTOSKRNL.EXE IS CORRUPT OR MISSING

I tried repairing the NTOSKRNL.exe with the cmd inside of the windows xp installation disk. Still not working... I also tried 5 different XP disks.

I'm really out of ideas, I need help.

AddRAM · 26 Mar 2013

Use Ccleaner to wipe the XP partition clean from windows 7. Or use an elevated command prompt and run the clean command on the XP partition, try to reinstall again.

You could always run XP from a virtual machine in 7.

What`s your reason for wanting XP ?

GreenDayx3 · 26 Mar 2013

Yeah, I was thinking of CCleaner. Well, I'm trying to use this old webcam of mine for Track NoIR. I tested on the virtual machine and it works. I want to use it for flight-sim games you see.

GreenDayx3 · 26 Mar 2013

Any help here? I can't seem to think of any solution. I'm thinking that my previous xp installation might have affected it, as I have reformatted the partitioned drive a few times now, thus changing the drive letters. Maybe that is one of the problems? I really need help.

AddRAM · 26 Mar 2013

So what`s the problem, have you cleaned the partition yet ?

GreenDayx3 · 26 Mar 2013

Uh I've cleaned the partition many times already. I'm guessing its giving me this error "WINDOWS ROOT>\SYSTEM32\NTOSKRNL.EXE IS CORRUPT OR MISSING" might be probably due to that installation cannot find the directory of the copied files maybe? But I don't know how to fix that.

theog · 26 Mar 2013

Have you tried installing from the WinXp CD?

But the thing is, it was 64bit, I realised i needed a 32 bit

Do you have key for both?

GreenDayx3 · 26 Mar 2013

Yeah I do have the cd key for both of the XPs

gregrocker · 26 Mar 2013

You can't wipe a partition with Clean command. To do a partition-specific wipe you need to use Partition Wizard CD Wipe Partition - Video Help.

However the point of wiping the HD is to clear the boot sector of corrupt code blocking install which is probably what you have. This can't be done by just wiping a partition which is not on the boot sector.

The error you're getting is an XP error so it must be a problem with the installer if you've wiped XP off the HD. Try another. You may also need the SATA controller drivers to proceed since they are not in most XP CD's and aren't in any without SP3: SATA Drivers - Load in Windows XP Setup on Dual Boot
SATA Drivers - Slipstream into Windows XP CD

GreenDayx3 · 26 Mar 2013

Am I supposed to wipe my Primary hard drive ( the one with windows 7 ) or the secondary hard drive that I partitioned and installed xp on?

And yes, the sata drivers are loaded in the cd.

thanks for replying