Windows 7: Duel Boot..Won't let me boot into XP

I have a Laptop with two partions...

These partitions are actually on two seperate hard drives built into the laptop

Not sure if it is necessary information but the more the marryier right...

*note* spelling sucks!

C:\ Windows 7 Home Premium (Default Boot) Which Works...

D:\ Windows XP Pro (Shows up in the list in the boot loader)

At first it was missing the file NTLDR so I found it in a Service pack folder
and placed it where the bootloader was looking. Which was the root
directory of the D:\ (placed the file in hidden attrabute)

When I tried to reboot the computer and force it to boot back into Windows XP
this time; all it did was restart the computer over again.

Therefore my theory is that the MBR of the D:\ needs to be recovered.
I looked around and it saids that I need to use the Windows XP setup CD
boot into the CD and use the recovery option and recover the MBR.

Well, I tried that but for some unknown and of course my "luck" the recovery option does not show up.

So can anyone shine some light on this problem that I am having? Also, is the NTLDR file the only file it looks for when it boots into Windows XP Pro?

In an XP system, in addition to the boot loader (boot.ini) you need NTLDR and Ntdetect.com.

I'm not exactly sure what you mean by force XP to boot but you can create an XP boot disc and once booted work from there. MS has a recipe for the boot disc here.

Monk

Hi,can you tell me if you've had the 7 installed first and then you installed the xp over the 7 for the duallboot,or was first the xp and then 7?

Please post back a screenshot of your full Disk Mgmt drive map and listings, using Snipping Tool in Start Menu, attach file using paper clip in reply box.

We need to see your current config to advise you with certainty.

There are two ways to dual boot when you have separate HD's. The cleanest is to boot via BIOS: set preferred HD to boot first, then trigger the other HD when you want to boot it by tapping F-key given on first bootup screen for Boot Menu. This leaves the HD's independent to come and go as you please.

A Windows-managed Dual Boot makes the HD's interlinked and harder to remove one later. If you want to use this method, install EasyBCD 2.0 beta in Windows 7 after doing quick forum registration to use beta. Add XP on Add/Remove tab, accept offered boot files, let it autocomplete, Save, Restart.

However if there is any anomaly with your Disk Mgmt configuration, it may require further changes so post up the screenshot.

Windows XP Pro was installed first and then Windows 7 was installed second.

If you want to maintain the Windows-managed dual boot, use the more advanced EasyBCD 2.0 beta (after doing quick forum registration) to remove and then Add back XP.

If you want to boot via BIOS as I described earlier, then unplug Windows 7 HD which already is System Active, set XP HD as first to boot in BIOS, and run a Repair Install of XP by booting CD, continuing as if to install until it discovers the installation, then choosing "R" to repair the highlighted XP installation.

This will reassert the XP bootloader onto its partition and make it fully independent of Windows 7 HD when you plug it back in.

Set the preferred HD to boot first in BIOS setup, then to boot the other use the Fkey given on first boot screen for one-time Boot Menu to choose it. This keeps both HD's independent so they can come and go as you please.

For Recovery Partition to work, it needs to be Disk0. (not disk1)

You may want to move your HD"s so that Windows 7 HD is DISK0, then XP is DISK1, etc.

Just be aware of which is set to boot frist in BIOS setup at all times.

Hi,i see you've one disk0 with 513mb,i think that partition is from factory recovery system,normaly if you've 2 different hdd's:
DISK 0:WINDOWS XP {the first}
DISK 1:WINDOWS 7 {the second installed}
like this you should get an duallboot without problems,what i can suggest you is open the commandprompt on 7,start,run,type CMD,ok and type this 4 command lines one by one hitting enter each time:

1.
BCDEDIT /CREATE {NTLDR} /D “WINDOWS XP” {hit enter}
2.
BCDEDIT /SET {NTLDR} DEVICE PARTITION =D: {hit enter}
3.
BCDEDIT /SET {NTLDR} PATH \NTLDR {hit enter}
4.
BCDEDIT /DISPLAYORDER {NTLDR} /ADDLAST {hit enter}

Reboot and see what happens.

Factory Recovery is on Disk1.