Relocate System Files on a Dual Boot

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  1. Neophile
    Posts : 171
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit SP1
    Thread Starter
       New #21

    That was really a good idea, but it doesn't accept upgrading, giving back this message:

    The following issues are preventing Windows from upgrading. Cancel the upgrade, complete each task, and then restart the upgrade to continue.

    You can’t upgrade 64-bit Windows to a 32-bit version of Windows. To upgrade, obtain a 64-bit version of the installation disc, or go online to see how to install Windows 7 and keep your files and settings.

    32-bit Windows cannot be upgraded to a 64-bit version of Windows. To upgrade, obtain a 32-bit version of the Windows installation disc.

    Windows needs to be restarted so necessary changes to system files can be made before continuing.


    This is not true because on System properties it is System Type: 64-bit Operating System. This is probably related to the issue I reported earlier, trying a repair with the DVD tells me that this repair is not for the installed system.

    This installation is very recent, as I mentioned earlier. I never had issues, but the last years I have all sorts, even if permanently upgrading my computer.
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  3. gregrocker
    Posts : 50,642
       New #22

    Did you try unplugging all other HD's before attempting Repair Install, to eliminate any cross-drive corruption resulting from the attempts to create a Windows-managed Dual Boot you were advised against for this very reason?

    You said you were ignoring our advice because you sometimes like to have a Windows Dual Boot menu when in Win7. Why is this? You don't have the menu from within the OS anyway, only at the BIOS level just as Windows is starting - when you can instead choose the HD to boot in BIOS Boot Menu without cross-contamination of boot sectors.

    What I would do at this point is unplug all other HD's except Win7, reset the CMOS, wipe the HD and clean reinstall Win7. http://pcsupport.about.com/od/fixthe.../clearcmos.htm
    SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

    Then i would unplug all other HD's except XP, run an XP Repair Install to correct it's boot files and config: Repair Windows XP - How To Perform a Repair Installation of Windows XP - Part 1 of 2

    If I am missing anything important please explain in plain language.
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  4. Neophile
    Posts : 171
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit SP1
    Thread Starter
       New #23

    Did you try unplugging all other HD's before attempting Repair Install, to eliminate any cross-drive corruption resulting from the attempts to create a Windows-managed Dual Boot you were advised against for this very reason?
    No, I did just as you told me and I thought it was the simplest, quickest and best idea:
    Run a Repair Install of Windows 7 from desktop since you report it will start. This will reinstall the OS to repair the irreparable System Files, and reconfigure the Dual Boot with XP if you leave XP HD plugged in
    .
    You said you were ignoring our advice because you sometimes like to have a Windows Dual Boot menu when in Windows 7.
    Sorry, I was not ignoring at all and you are absolutely right, but the OS boot menu is much more convenient, and I could have it only temporarily when needed. I could export the Bcdedit with the menu, then clear the the boot menu and export it again. This way I would have both versions for when I needed frequent OS changing, what is not often but happens from time to time.

    What I would do at this point is unplug all other HD's except Windows 7, reset the CMOS, wipe the HD and clean reinstall Windows 7.
    Good advice, I will. I was just going to do it when I found your post, but now I'll have to leave for later or tomorrow. I'll follow the tutorial, which has some of the operations I used to installed the Win7 DVD on a USB flash. It is a pity having to restart all over again, but it is best now.
    Last edited by Neophile; 08 Feb 2011 at 12:52.
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  6. gregrocker
    Posts : 50,642
       New #24

    Try unplugging the XP HD to see if Repair Install will work. It might be confusing the installer.

    Normally Win7 installer would autoconfigure the dual boot, but it appears there is corruption either at the BIOS or boot sector level which is interfering.

    If you move directly to clean reinstall then you can try with the XP HD plugged in so that Win7 autoconfigures the Dual Boot, but I would move the XP boot files into its partition using the commands given earlier or via an XP Repair Install. This might be the problem in itself.

    Or you can unplug XP HD and boot via BIOS, or install EasyBCD 2.0 to add XP to Dual Boot menu.
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  7. Neophile
    Posts : 171
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit SP1
    Thread Starter
       New #25

    No way, not even unplugging the XP HD before trying the Repair Install. It acts as I were trying to instal a different version. This reminds of the startup recover also saying that I am trying to repair a non compatible version of Windows.

    I have removed all boot files from all drives before repairing the boot. That was just after saved the old ones which I deleted too early. By the way, after so much work making a new boot.ini by hand, I found a small app to build them automatically.

    I am going straight to the clean install following your instructions and links on your post before last.
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  8. gregrocker
    Posts : 50,642
       New #26

    The only way to effectively remove the boot files before install is to wipe the HD. SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation
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  10. Neophile
    Posts : 171
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit SP1
    Thread Starter
       New #27

    I'll do that.

    Just to see what the installation would do, I tried to upgrade my 64-bit OS with the 32-bit version. The result was exactly the same! But this time it was right.

    Thanks again.
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  11. SIW2
    Posts : 16,159
    7 X64
       New #28

    the OS boot menu is much more convenient
    Yes I like it that way too.
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  12. gregrocker
    Posts : 50,642
       New #29

    SIW2, what could account for the installer erroring that it's the wrong bit version when trying to Repair Install or Startup Repair?
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  13. SIW2
    Posts : 16,159
    7 X64
       New #30

    Probably because it is the wrong bit version.

    But not necessarily 3
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