I have XP and 7 up/running on disk device 1. And have duplicated such (2 partitions) on disk device 2, using Partition Wizard.
What are the characteristics of the 2 part's on disk 2?
For instance, would either/both boot in an emergency?
Thx,
P
Last edited by Puddin Man; 17 Dec 2010 at 16:08. Reason: more detail
Try booting Disk2 using one-time BIOS Boot Menu to see.
If not, unplug Disk1, set Disk2 as first HD to boot in BIOS setup (after DVD drive), mark Win7 partition on Disk2 active, boot the Win7 DVD Repair console or Repair CD to run Startup Repair up to 3 separate times until Win7 starts.
Then add XP to dual boot using EasyBCD 2.0.
A better method of backing up Disk1 is using Win7 built-in Backup Imaging: Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup
The BIOS Boot Menu doesn't positively identify my boot choices (as bad as MS?)
It shows 2 partitions (without spec'g disk device), DVD drive, and flash drive. I assume the 2 part's are the ones I boot every day, not the image copies.
Are you -sure- that using the BIOS Boot Menu (this one from Asus) won't kerflopticate the BCD setup? I'm reasonably certain that that was what happened to my BCD the other day. Was a severe PITA to sort-out, correct.
I still don't understand why you call it "one-time" BIOS Boot Menu. What is "one-time" about it?
Thanks, but I'd have to have a -very- good reason to jump thru that many hoops.
Again, thanks, but there's nothing about MS backup that's better for me.
Question still stands. What can I expect/not-expect from these Partition Wizard copies?
P
Every computer has a one-time BIOS Boot menu key which accesses all of the bootable devices connected. It is used in place of having to change the boot order of devices in BIOS setup, as a shortcut.
It will not show partitions, those are likely HD's. What does it list and maybe we can help you figure it out?
If you don't like MS backup then use free Macrium or Paragon 10, or the free Acronis available if you have a WD or Seagate HD.
The answer still stands: PW copies partitions intact, but they may not be bootable if the MBR isn't copied intact. It is repaired by using the steps I gave.
Oh, you mean it can be used to change the actual boot order without altering the previously defined boot order? Took quite a while to decipher that last statement.
And you refer to it as "one-time" because, presumably, the user will revert back to previously defined boot order, alias the "boot order" boot order?
Did that make sense to anybody?
Aha! 'Tis a one-time BIOS Boot menu key which doesn't detail bootable partitions to choose from. Gosharootie, how did that get by po' me??
Thanks. Note that I had previously consolidated the Win7 mutant 100mb partition with the main part. via install CD "Repair". The machine has 2 identical Samsung 500gb SATA drives.
SATA:SAMSUNG PM-HD502HJ
SATA:SAMSUNG PS-HD502HJ
CDROM:SS-ATAPI iHAS124 Y
USB: USB USB Flash Drive 00.0
Whassamatta with Partition Wizard, aside from the Chinese English they use for documentation?
Thanks, that is helpful and informative. But it is lots less than 100% of the answer.
I disconnected disk 1, did a "rebuild MBR" on disk 2, booted from BIOS Boot menu key, got a new BCD screen, booted Win7 (no evidence of 2nd partition), ... "Preparing desktop", then a screen blank save for "this copy of Win not genuine".
And, of course, it lies: the copy is fully licensed and genuine, and has been verified for precisely the hardware on which it refuses to run. Somebody oughta bring a lawsuit ...
P
This is one reason copying a partition is not generally used as an imaging backup method.
What has likely happened is that the dfrive letter slipped during copying. Boot Install DVD or Repair CD Command Line, type:
DISKPART
LIST VOL
Check the Win7 drive letter to see if it is correct. If not, boot free Paragon Rescue CD, Normal Mode, to Correct Drive letter.
It also can happen with reimaging but more rarely. We see it about once per month.
Not at all certain why you would say that. I've been doing it for years and years with non-Win7 systems. If Win7 is the "special case", then I'd ask "Why?". Who would answer?
You rattle such stuff off awfully, -awfully- quickly.
Assuming that Part. Wiz. properly executed a partition copy (byte for byte), why/how would the drive letter (internal to Win7) change??
I need to know what happened and why. For my tiny $, you don't know.
I do not follow.
P
When you restart to the desktop and it gives a blank screen "Not Geniune" after copying or imaging, the issue is most often drive letter changing itself - a not-uncommon issue with Win7 which comes up here about once a month.
I learned this from my mentor SIW2 about a year ago and have helped others fix the exact same issue about a dozen times since. He could probably explain it to you if you ask him nicely and don't heckle him as he tries to answer.
Hello Puddin Man.
This tutorial at the link below shows how to start a command-line at system startup.
DISKPART : At PC Startup
OK. Thanks.
I *may* have to ask him. I'm scratching around, trying to catch up with certain issues that might help explain, but it is a certified Can Of Worms and I have limited time.
In any event, I don't really mean to heckle anyone, but I've run into so, soooo many MS Vista/Windows7-era issues that circumvent (or just plain Bloody Murder) well-established procedures, approaches, etc etc, and devour my time like it was worthless ... <best to stop here, don't mean to rant>.
You've helped with several issues. Many thanks.
P
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