Win 7 / XP dual boot problem


  1. WhiteDragon32
    Posts : 5
    Windows 7 and XP
       New #1

    Win 7 / XP dual boot problem


    So, I have XP pro. I got Win 7 Ultimate and installed it on a different partition. Boot loader sees Win 7 and sees "an older OS". I select the other OS and it gives me an error of "Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: Windows\System32\Hal.dll ". I know about EasyBC, but I don't want to use it because I need to know how to fix this type of stuff manually (network admin here).

    I found a reference on how to fix this if using XP ("Invalid Boot.ini" or "Windows could not start" error messages when you start your computer), but I am unsure if this will over-write the MBR and then make Win 7 unusable.

    Does anyone know how to fix this issue and get Win 7 pointing to the correct partition via manually (non 3rd party tools).
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  3. Arc
    Posts : 35,373
    Microsoft Windows 10 Pro Insider Preview 64-bit
       New #2

    Hi WhiteDragon32, welcome to SF

    Way earlier, when I was a newbie, I have seen SIW2 to use this technique .

    At first, make your system reserved partition visible in disk management (Right click, and then give it a drive letter , say "S").

    Now download xpbtfiles.zip , extract the three files, and copy them in "S" .

    Open an Elevated Command Prompt ,

    Type bcdedit /create {ntldr} /d "Windows XP" hit enter
    Type bcdedit /set {ntldr} device boot hit enter
    Type bcdedit /set {ntldr} path \ntldr hit enter
    Type bcdedit /displayorder {ntldr} /addlast hit enter .

    Close the command prompt, and restart your PC .

    If you ask me , I'd say that it is easier to use EasyBCD
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  4. gregrocker
    Posts : 50,642
       New #3

    Install EasyBCD 2.0 to Win7, Add XP, accept offered Boot Files, let autocomplete, Save, restart.

    If this fails, please post back a screenshot of your full Disk Management drive map using Snipping Tool in Start Menu.
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  6. Arc
    Posts : 35,373
    Microsoft Windows 10 Pro Insider Preview 64-bit
       New #4

    gregrocker said:
    Install EasyBCD 2.0 to Win7, Add XP, accept offered Boot Files, let autocomplete, Save, restart.
    Hi Greg !
    White Dragon wants to do it manually :) He dont want to use EasyBCD
    WhiteDragon32 said:
    I know about EasyBC, but I don't want to use it because I need to know how to fix this type of stuff manually (network admin here).


    Does anyone know how to fix this issue and get Win 7 pointing to the correct partition via manually (non 3rd party tools).
      My Computer
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  7. Night Hawk
    Posts : 8,375
    W7 Ultimate x64/W10 Pro x64/W11 Pro Triple Boot - Main PC W7 Remote PC Micro ATX W7 Pro x64/W11 Pro
       New #5

    There's one option for setting the default OS along with renaming the XP entry but is not able to add new boot entries into the BCD store called BellaVista.

    That will display all entries and allow you to change the description. It also requires no installation being a stand alone BCD editing tool.

    The Hall.dll file can manually be expanded from the I386 folder while booted to the recovery console on the XP cd when first selecting R when first booting up with the disk. An old blog provides the command to use at the dos like command prompt window you see there. Restore Hal.dll - How To Restore Hal.dll From the Windows XP CD - Hal.dll

    If simply replacing the missing file still fails to see XP start up since the entry to boot XP is already present you might have to perform a repair or fresh install to repair the problem as a last resort. That would mean using the startup repair tool for seeing 7 running again once the mbr is rewritten for XP.
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