no boot option screen

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  1. Posts : 34
    Windows 7 Pro
       #1

    no boot option screen


    I have installed Windows 7 as a dual boot with my previously installed XP Pro. The new install seems fine, except there is no boot option screen when I boot the machine -- it boots into Win 7 with no option for my "previously installed version" or whatever its supposed to say.

    The only way I can get back into XP is to change the boot order of my hardrives (the 2 systems are installed on separate physical drives), but then I don't have the option to choose Windows 7.

    Did I miss something during the install? Or is there a simple way to edit the boot manager to see the option screen?

    XP is installed on the 1st partition of my 1st disk -- Win 7 is installed on the 1st partition of my 2nd disk.

    I tried EasyBCD (in XP), but I get an error message when it starts saying it can't find Vista (I don't have it). Should I be using EasyBCD within Win 7 instead?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 28,845
    Win 8 Release candidate 8400
       #2

    graveller39 said:
    I have installed Windows 7 as a dual boot with my previously installed XP Pro. The new install seems fine, except there is no boot option screen when I boot the machine -- it boots into Win 7 with no option for my "previously installed version" or whatever its supposed to say.

    The only way I can get back into XP is to change the boot order of my hardrives (the 2 systems are installed on separate physical drives), but then I don't have the option to choose Windows 7.

    Did I miss something during the install? Or is there a simple way to edit the boot manager to see the option screen?

    XP is installed on the 1st partition of my 1st disk -- Win 7 is installed on the 1st partition of my 2nd disk.

    I tried EasyBCD (in XP), but I get an error message when it starts saying it can't find Vista (I don't have it). Should I be using EasyBCD within Win 7 instead?
    there is another app built into win 7 called bcdedit that does much the same thing and is easier to use. These are the instructions for its use. BCDEDIT - How to Use

    Good Luck and let us know if you need help


    Ken
      My Computer

  3.    #3

    graveller39 said:
    I tried EasyBCD (in XP), but I get an error message when it starts saying it can't find Vista (I don't have it). Should I be using EasyBCD within Win 7 instead?
    Yes, run EasyBCD 2.0 from within Win7 to Add XP. It will prompt to add boot files. Then highlight new XP listing above and Save.

    Or keep the boot managed via BIOS, using the shortcut key given for Boot Menu on first bootup screen. This makes the HD's independent and can come and go as you please.
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  4. Posts : 1,031
    Windows 7 x64
       #4

    What you did was to install Win 7 when it was the primary (listed first in Bios) drive. Because of that, it did not see the XP install and did not set up the dual boot. The F12 key gregrocker refers to, which I do not have, seems to set the drive priority. I do not know if this makes the drive order permanent, or just for the one boot.

    I always ask concerning a Win 7 install if the Small 100 mb partition called System Reserve was added. If it is, you may need to add a drive letter, like S:, to it allowing the dual boot to work. If you used EasyBCD prior to doing this, you probably should remove the XP entry and redo.
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  5. Posts : 34
    Windows 7 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #5

    what now...?


    so, I didn't make any further changes, but now it doesn't matter which hard drive is selected to boot first, Windows XP is the OS that starts... ie. I don't even know how to get Windows 7 to boot up.

    any ideas?
      My Computer

  6.    #6

    Boot the Win7 DVD Repair console, click through to Recovery Tools list to run Startup Repair up to 3 separate times to repair/rewrite the MBR to Win7.

    Post back a screenshot of Win7 Disk management drive map, using Snipping Tool in Start Menu, attach file using paper clip in Reply box.

    Did you use EasyBCD 2.0 beta in your previous attempt to set up dual boot? You would know as it requires quick registration on their site to use the beta, which is automated version.
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  7. Posts : 34
    Windows 7 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #7

    just to be clear...

    gregrocker said:
    run Startup Repair up to 3 separate times to repair/rewrite the MBR to Win7.
    I'm guessing this option will be fairly clear? but why 3 times...?

    and no, I've not yet used EasyBCD as I've been unable to boot back into Win 7.
      My Computer

  8.    #8

    As long as Win7 is marked Active, Startup Repair will attempt to repair and finally rewrite the MBR to start Win7. This sometimes takes up to 3 separate attempts if there are multiple issues.

    To make sure Win7 partition is marked active, first boot into Win7 DVD Repair console, select Command Line and type:

    DISKPART
    LIST DISK
    SELECT DISK # (for Win7 HD)
    LIST PARTITION
    SELECT PARTITION # (for Win7 partition)
    ACTIVE
    EXIT

    Now return to Recovery Tools list and run Startup Repair up to 3 separate times.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 1,031
    Windows 7 x64
       #9

    I guess I don't understand. You said originally you could boot to XP or Win 7 by changing the boot order in the bios. Is that option no longer available?

    A snipping tool picture of your disk management window (diskmgmt.msc), as gregrocker says, attached would really help expain your situation.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 34
    Windows 7 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #10

    ok - I did the repair with the Windows 7 DVD -- it didn't indicate any problems, but I was able to boot into Win 7 afterwards -- I took a screenshot and attached the file here. hope this helps...

    yes Saltgrass, changing the boot order in the BIOS was no longer working - I don't know why - I hadn't changed anything...

    I don't quite get which of the Hitachis is disk 1 and which is disk 2 -- I was sure XP was on disk 1 -- shows here as drive D:

    I also notice my drive C: (the Win 7 partition) is not active -- should it be?
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails no boot option screen-drive-map.png  
    Last edited by graveller39; 22 Jan 2010 at 07:10.
      My Computer


 
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