Didn't correctly set up dual boot of 7 and xp

Are you sure that will work considering the restore disks don't work?

Elderon said:

gregrocker said:

When XP is installed last it takes over the boot. To get it added you need to restart Win7 and install EasyBCD to add XP from Win7 which is easiest.

Since you deleted XP now it took with it the System Active flags so that Win7 cannot start until they are restored to its partition via Repairs. To work these repairs must be run on an Active partition so Mark Win7 or it's 100mb System Reserved (preferred) Partition Active then run Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times.

Would I be able to do that via my hard drive connecting cables on my laptop? If not then I can't do it because I can't get passed the error on start-up

These repairs are done using the booted Installation DVD or System Repair Disk. The latest official installer is avaiable in Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Boot Step 5

If you want a graphical picture to Modify>Set to Active Win7 or it's SysReserved partition then boot free Partition Wizard bootable CD, which also has a function to Rebuild MBR that may preclude the need to run the Repairs.

So regardless of what I try I'm going to need to download the Installation disk?

Yes, you need it anyway for repairs or reimaging when Win7 won't start, or if necessary to get the superior Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 where it's provided in Step 1.

That's the one I was gonna grab. I just thought that if the restore disks didn't work then nothing would

Recovery Disks reinstall all of the factory crapware and useless duplicate utilities which throttle Win7. If you do end up running them be sure to Clean Up Factory Bloatware.

The steps I first gave you are the standard method for writing the System Boot Files to the remaining OS when you remove the first-installed OS which contained the Boot Files for both. It almost always works.

Alright. I just started the download for the iso. I just have to get a disk and wait then I can start trying to fix this thing

Elderon said:

Alright. I just started the download for the iso. I just have to get a disk and wait then I can start trying to fix this thing

You can also use a 4GB+ USB flash drive.

I have disks its just a matter of finding them. Plus i thought windows shut down the usb ports momentarily on install so that wouldn't work. At least that's what somebody said on a thread I found for running an OS off of an external hard drive

Elderon said:

I have disks its just a matter of finding them. Plus i thought windows shut down the usb ports momentarily on install so that wouldn't work. At least that's what somebody said on a thread I found for running an OS off of an external hard drive

No, if your computer supports booting to USB, you can install it from USB. Boot to the BIOS, go to boot tab, and see if you can boot to USB.