Solved New 7 install on added HDD,Dual Boot XP Pro

[gregrocker]

The System Active boot files for Win7 were placed on the XP partition since you didnt' unplug XP during 7 install.

To recover these boot-critical files into Win7, you'll need to mark it's partition Active first in XP Disk Mgmt, or using Diskpart from the Win7 DVD Repair console Command Line as given here: Partition - Mark as Active

Then with the XP HD unplugged, boot the DVD Repair console, accept any offered Repair. If this doesn't start Win7, boot back into DVD Repair console System Recovery Options to run Startup Repair up to 3 separate times with reboots until it writes the System boot files to Win7 partition and starts up.

 

[Prospector]

Making Sure

I will have to re-connect the old drive to get to the Disk Management, therefore do I just plug it into the board in the second position, or do I need to put the drives back to their original position with the old drive in SATA 0 position again?

 

[gregrocker]

I would plug it back in as it was, making sure it is set as first HD to boot in BIOS setup.

After unplugging, it should default to WIn7 HD as first HD to boot in BIOS (after DVD drive) but I would also make sure of that.

 

[Prospector]

NTLDR Missing

I would plug it back in as it was, making sure it is set as first HD to boot in BIOS setup.

After unplugging, it should default to WIn7 HD as first HD to boot in BIOS (after DVD drive) but I would also make sure of that.

I marked the "7" drive as active in XP then started over, putting the new drive into slot 1 and unplugging old drive. I set Boot order with CD/DVD, then SATA. The DVD drive is not available and when booting from the new drive, I get the NTLDR Missing , message. I tried all of the other available options and the Hard Drive diagnostics was the only one that works and it checked OK. The new drive is recognized but it won't load, using any drive, so the DVD option is not available.

 

[theog]

Did you run the Hard Drive diagnostics from your DVD drive?

 

[Prospector]

DVD Unavailable

Did you run the Hard Drive diagnostics from your DVD drive?

I had to refresh the page to find your post, sorry it took so long.
During boot attempts with the Win 7 DVD in the drive, it did not load to a point where the drive was available. After pressing F12 to get the drive to boot the DVD, it said that the drive was "not available" and when I try to boot from the SATA drive, I get the "NTLDR Missing" error message

 

[theog]

Will the DVD drive show in BIOS? if NO check all the cables.

 

[Prospector]

In the Dell System area "F2" it lists "Onboard or USB CD-ROM Drive" in the Boot Sequence but below in the "Drives" and allows you to turn them on or off, it only shows Diskette Drive and then below are the SATA and PATA Drives in order, Drive 0, 1, 2, 3, Then SATA Operation and Smart reporting. This drives group contains options and settings related to Drives and the Hard Drive Controller. I checked the connections on both the CD-ROM and the DVD RW and also on the mother board and all appears to be normal. The Bios never showed The DVD drive alone, just the generic CD-ROM. The F12 shows the option to boot from the generic device CD or DVD but states that it is not available. It previously had the DVD listed as first of the two as the preferred devices but that was elsewhere, other than the BIOS. I do not know what else to do but switch the two SATA plugs, and see what happens after I re-connect the old drive but I have always lived dangerously. Otherwise I can put the old drive back in drive slot #1 and use it as it was yesterday with the new HDD listed as Drive F. I am out of ideas.

 

[theog]

Try pluging the DVD into one of the other Sata ports.

 

[Prospector]

I removed P9 from the DVD connector which is tied to the CD-ROM and barely stretched P6 connector which was loose and connected by 2 or 3 three wires to the floppy drive but it is the same outcome with the same NTLDR Missing message and when I press F12 and try to boot from the CD or DVD, it still states that it is unavailable. Also, I tried putting the DVD into both devices and it took a while for it to decide what it wanted to do with the disc in the CD=ROM but when back in the DVD RW it gives that unavailable message right away. Somehow, the missing NTLDR is preventing the boot sequence from even reaching the point where the drives are checked and activated during boot-up, therefore the drive activation has not had a chance to happen yet.

 

[theog]

You need to get the DVD drive working first, can you replace with other one.

 

[Prospector]

I have an old DVD-ROM in another machine that is for parts or a giveaway but before I go to that much trouble I should confirm that there is a problem with the drive because it works in the other configuration that it was in yesterday. I will put it back together as it was to confirm the drive is OK and get back to you in the next half hour.

 

[Prospector]

No Problem with DVD

You need to get the DVD drive working first, can you replace with other one.

I had to start it a time or two before I concluded that I had forgotten to turn on SATA 1 because XP started fine and when I put a DVD in to play, the "Virtual Clone Drive " tried to steal the show so I just uninstalled it and notice all of the extra drives were missing even though I still had the dual boot options. I may have the DVD back now but have not had time yet to check by re-doing everything again. It always takes me several attempts before I learn something. Now if I can just figure out how to remember my mistakes so I don't have to repeat them!

I am having the same NTLDR and CD/DVD problem but I realized that something has happened; During this process, the drives group changed numbers: Drive 0 was SATA- 0 and still is, but Drive 1 has changed from SATA- 1 to SATA- 2 and the PATA Drives which are listed below are: Drive 2: PATA- 0 and Drive 3: PATA-1, may have remained the same. It appears that the NTLDR issue, as well as the inavailability of the DVD are directly related. When I return Drive1 back to SATA-1, our issue may be solved. The question is: HOW DO I DO IT?

 

[gregrocker]

It is to be expected that Win7 would not start after unplugging XP. It must be marked Active and then from the DVD Repair console or Repair CD run Startup Repair up to 3 separate times with reboots to write the System boot files to the Win7 partition.

Do you have the DVD drive working so you can do the Repairs now?

 

[Prospector]

I apologise for the slow response, I fell asleep waiting and just woke up. The DVD drive works in the old configuration only so I will put it back together in the original from earlier when I tested the DVD and found that the"Virtual Clone Drive" was interfering with the DVD drive, and run the repair disk. I am referring to the disk that I made when I made my first back-up. Or are you saying to run set-up from the install DVD? I will change the drives in the meantime back to the old being in the number 1 slot. The SATA 1 position will have to be changed back to SATA 1 during this process or the NTLDR will prevent it from starting just as before when I put the New drive into #1 slot afterwards. I am sure that the change from SATA 1 to SATA 2 is interfering with the current configuration.

I just started the old drive in the new configuration with SATA 0 turned off and SATA 2 back on without changing the drives back to the old configuration. I simply disconnected the new drive in slot #1 and hooked up the old drive. when the dual boot menu opened I chose the "Old operating system", and it booted. Now I will see if this corrected the SATA#2 problem, if so then I will be able to boot Win 7 by plugging it back in and turning SATA#1 back on. I am re-booting to check the BIOS as I write this. I will add to this in a moment.

 

[gregrocker]

Please read this link to understand Startup Repair which is what is run from DVD to write System boot files to the Active partition: Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times

If you're going to try to write the System Boot files to Win7 partition by running Startup Repair from DVD 3 times then it must be marked Active, and XP should either be unplugged or marked Inactive if it cannot be unplugged.

To mark XP Inactive boot the WIn7 DVD, at first screen press Shift + F10 to open a Command Line, then type:

DISKPART
LIST DISK
SEL DISK # (replace # with XP HD number from list)
LIST Part
SEL Part # (replace # with XP Partition)
Inactive
EXIT

You can now boot DVD to second screen to Repair My Computer, run the 3 Startup Repairs until Win7 starts on its own. Then check in Disk Mgmt to see if the System flag has moved to Win7. If not, XP HD must be unplugged or deleted to run the Repairs.

 

[Prospector]

DVD Unavailable In Win 7

I was trying to figure out how to do the repair in XP before your last post because the NTLDR issue must be resolved before the DVD Drive will be available for the New HD with Win. 7. Yesterday, I set it as active just as you requested. I may be all wet concerning the SATA #1 becoming SATA #2 and that being the main issue, but it has been acting -up since then,therefore I must do the repair in XP somehow otherwise NO DVD available for Win. 7. I am back in XP now with SATA #0 turned off and everything else plugged-in.
, what next?

Greg, I just started a Windows Standard program called "System File Checker", it will replace any original files that are necessary for the system operation that have been replaced or removed. It takes some time for it to run.

 

[gregrocker]

The 3 Startup Repairs on the Win7 partition with XP unplugged are how you resolve the errors and get the Win7 HD to boot. It cannot boot on it's own now because it has no System boot files which were placed on the XP partition.

The DVD drive should work when plugged in correctly regardless of whether one or both HD's are plugged in. We can help you resolve this if you will try booting the DVD correctly now with only the SATA HD and the DVD drive plugged exactly as they are now: How to Boot your Computer from a Bootable CD or DVD

The Repairs will work best if the XP HD is unplugged, but if you cannot then mark XP Inactive as given in my last post, boot the DVD to run Startup Repair 3 times.

Another option: Since your goal is to have a Dual Boot on the same HD, you could boot the XP CD to install to a second partition on the larger HD following Method Two here: Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP

Do this with the 80gb HD unplugged.

Then afterwards install EasyBCD 2.02 to XP, use Steps 7-10 to add Windows 7 to a Dual Boot Menu. Again the Win7 boot files will reside on XP but on the correct target HD this time.

 

[Prospector]

Post # 28 Did The Trick

I had run out of options and had suggested changing the SATA plugs on the motherboard, and how I have tended to live dangerously! That corrected the NTLDR/DVD problem. They are both booting now but it caused the Win 7 OS to declare itself as Unvalidated and pirated so I have had my hands full getting this thing validated. I have had my second cup of coffee and am ready to follow Greg's instructions.
Also, I am late getting started this morning because the validation issue had me up until about 2 AM.

 

[theog]

Is Windows 7 now actvated & working OK?
online or by phone.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18715-activate-windows-7-phone.html?ltr=A
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3408-activate-windows-7-online.html