Issue with XP and Windows 7 dual boot

jraju · 22 Mar 2015

Hi, Brink
i sincerely feel that you need not sit in my computer and advise for this. The question is will it boot to xp, if the instructions are scruplously followed as per the instructions given in that link

Brink · 22 Mar 2015

Yes, it will boot to XP as described in the tutorial if followed exactly step by step.

Evidently, either a mistake was made or something not correct with your setup that didn't go along with what's in the tutorial. The problem is that we don't know until we get more details to be able to properly diagnose with.

If you could get Windows 7 to run, then we may be able to get somewhere.

jraju · 22 Mar 2015

Hi,
I again thank you for that.
I wish to state that i have done as per the instructions .
My question is when xp is finalising its installation, it should reboot. Ok. If this is not so, i think that there is some missing here and i want to have a clear cut instructions.
Windows 7 is stored in a partition in c: drive which has all boot media.
windows xp is also stored in the same drive, but in a selected partition in which the boot media for xp reside, i suppose.
But when xp install gets in to reboot, what will happen? here is the missing thing i want to know.
xp would not overwrite anything in the boot sector of win 7. I suppose,
I could not do any adjustment in bios.
Win 7 at this point , not bootable, because, xp is still in installation stage.
My question is how xp reboot to xp window, if this confusion prevails=

jraju · 22 Mar 2015

I am still quoting this
If you get Error loading Operating System after XP restarts:

Using your Windows 7 installation disc, boot to the command prompt at startup.
Type in these comands below, and press enter after each one.
- bootrec /FixMbr
- bootrec /FixBoot
- bootrec /RebuildBcd
Exit the command prompt and restart the computer.
At this point, Windows 7 should boot up the same way before trying to install XP.
Continue to step 8 below and run EasyBCD from Windows 7 instead

There was no error message.So, i have not done this step. Should i do this also, after inserting win 7

Brink · 22 Mar 2015

The hard part is that since every system is different, it would be impossible to have instructions for every possible issue that may occur since some are unknown until it happens.

Personally, I would format and start over.

gregrocker · 22 Mar 2015

Confirm that the Windows 7 100mb System Reserved partition (if you have it ) or the Windows 7 partition (if you don't) is the Partition Marked Active, then run Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times to start Win7.

Then you can post the requested Disk Management - Post a Screen Capture Image.

One thing you can then try is to install EasyBCD (click Download - no Name or Email required) to add XP to see if that will start it. This is normally the best way when XP is installed last: to restart Win7, then add XP using EasyBCD.

If you can't start Win7 per above then download Partition Wizard, burn to CD with Windows Image Burner, boot and take a camera snap of all listings and the drive map, post back by attaching the picture using paper clip icon in reply box.

Everything else that can possible be done to start Win 7 is here for Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start

jraju · 23 Mar 2015

hi,
The problem i now face is not able to boot in win 7 also using command prompt. When i enter the bootrec commands i found that everything successfully carried out, but on rebuildbcd command, the line found was no installation of windows , windows shown as 0.
So, i could not use that hdd, that is the problem.
But i can say that hdd is alive.
Today i hooked my hdd to another system and i got error loading operating system. Could you give possible reasons.
By trial and error method only we could get back the system . If anybody knows then give the advice.
Update: I also want to know that 1 g b ram memory that i am having is the reason for not booting .
Is it because, win 7 needs 1 gb memory and xp needs some more memory other than 1 gb.Since it is not there , would the problem be over, if i add 1 gb ram. Please, give your solution.

gregrocker · 23 Mar 2015

Did you miss my post above? The bootrec commands were used manually in XP. We now confirm the Active partition and run Startup Repair up to 3 separate times with reboots to try to start Win7. This automates a series of commands that cover many other facets of the boot as well.

If that doesn't work then everything else that can be done is in Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start including a way to repair or replace the bootsect boot code for the drive.

The RAM is about half as much as you need to run Win7 comfortably but should not be the cause of your present problem. You had Win7 on the PC before and you saw how it ran, correct?

Your problem is more likely due to XP stealing the boot from Win7 as it always does when installed second, then XP failing to complete install. You can go ahead an complete the XP install first if you want by running an XP Repair Install, or by deleting, reformatting with a full XP format (especially if you didn't do that before) and then reinstalling the XP partition. Once XP starts, follow the steps I've given you in my earlier post to restart Win7, install EasyBCD to add XP to Boot Menu.

Let us know if there are any questions.

jraju · 23 Mar 2015

Hi,
I am going to try this. one query.
I am having seagate sata hard drive and should i need to press F6 during installation, to load drivers, even if there is no popup alert than showing the same at the bottom of install screen. If you get install windows screen, is the press of F6 necessary?

AddRAM · 23 Mar 2015

You installed XP after 7, that is the problem, you have to run startup repair to get 7 booting again.

You should not have done anything without 1st posting the shot of Disk management that Brink asked you for numerous times.

Only 1 system at a time uses memory, that is not part of the problem.

Although, you should really have 4 GB total if possible.