Can't boot into original OS after dual boot configuration


  1. Posts : 173
    Windows 7 (XP, by Virtualization)
       #1

    Can't boot into original OS after dual boot configuration


    Hi Everyone,

    I recently added a hard drive to my computer (SSD), and installed Windows 7 x64 onto it. The result being a dual boot system, which by default boots to the SSD, and optionally (by Windows Boot Menu), can be booted to the original drive (standard mechanical drive).

    Initial setup went fine, however I decided to customize the Windows Boot Menu, so that logical names could be associated with each operating system instance. To do this I used EasyBCD and I altered the names in the Windows Boot Menu from:
    Windows 7
    Windows 7
    to...
    Windows 7 - SSD
    Windows 7 - Standard Drive
    Shortly after the modification I noticed that I was no longer able to boot into the original OS. Instead I was being presented with a "Repair Windows" option. Figuring that my EasyBCD "tampering" may have had something to do with the issue I decided to change the names back to "Windows 7" in the Windows Boot Menu. However doing so had no positive impact on boot up of the original OS.

    After booting again into the original OS I accepted the "Repair Windows" option, and then left the computer over night to do it's "thing". After completion of the "Repair" the situation has deteriorated -

    * Windows doesn't load (the same as before)
    * Windows doesn't present a "Repair Windows" option (it did before)
    * The computer reboots a short period after the "Starting Windows" screen is presented

    As a side note the drive is in good health, and all data on it can be read from within Windows 7 when I boot to the SSD OS.

    If anybody has any ideas of how I can fix my computer so that I can boot into both operating systems again they will be greatly appreciated.

    Kind Regards,

    Davo
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 10,796
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bits 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #2

    The win7 installed on SSD is bootable?
    win7 installed on mechanical disk isn't booting?

    Please post a full screenshot of "disk management" with all fields visible
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 10,796
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bits 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #3

    post output of
    bcdedit/enum all
    as well. Do this from Elevated Command Prompt
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 173
    Windows 7 (XP, by Virtualization)
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Hi Kaktussoft,

    Thanks for your interest in my post - the full output from the command that you kindly supplied is as follows:

    Code:
    Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7600]
    Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation.  All rights reserved.
    
    C:\Windows\system32>bcdedit /enum all
    
    Windows Boot Manager
    --------------------
    identifier              {bootmgr}
    device                  partition=D:
    description             Windows Boot Manager
    locale                  en-US
    inherit                 {globalsettings}
    default                 {current}
    resumeobject            {60a99781-b869-11e0-b515-9f5d3426953c}
    displayorder            {current}
                            {60a9977e-b869-11e0-b515-9f5d3426953c}
    toolsdisplayorder       {memdiag}
    timeout                 15
    displaybootmenu         Yes
    
    Windows Boot Loader
    -------------------
    identifier              {60a9977e-b869-11e0-b515-9f5d3426953c}
    device                  partition=D:
    path                    \Windows\system32\winload.exe
    description             Windows 7
    locale                  en-US
    inherit                 {bootloadersettings}
    recoverysequence        {60a9977f-b869-11e0-b515-9f5d3426953c}
    recoveryenabled         Yes
    osdevice                partition=D:
    systemroot              \Windows
    resumeobject            {60a9977d-b869-11e0-b515-9f5d3426953c}
    nx                      OptIn
    
    Windows Boot Loader
    -------------------
    identifier              {60a9977f-b869-11e0-b515-9f5d3426953c}
    device                  ramdisk=[D:]\Recovery\60a9977f-b869-11e0-b515-9f5d342695
    3c\Winre.wim,{60a99780-b869-11e0-b515-9f5d3426953c}
    path                    \windows\system32\winload.exe
    description             Windows Recovery Environment
    inherit                 {bootloadersettings}
    osdevice                ramdisk=[D:]\Recovery\60a9977f-b869-11e0-b515-9f5d342695
    3c\Winre.wim,{60a99780-b869-11e0-b515-9f5d3426953c}
    systemroot              \windows
    nx                      OptIn
    winpe                   Yes
    
    Windows Boot Loader
    -------------------
    identifier              {current}
    device                  partition=C:
    path                    \Windows\system32\winload.exe
    description             Windows 7
    locale                  en-US
    inherit                 {bootloadersettings}
    recoverysequence        {60a99783-b869-11e0-b515-9f5d3426953c}
    recoveryenabled         Yes
    osdevice                partition=C:
    systemroot              \Windows
    resumeobject            {60a99781-b869-11e0-b515-9f5d3426953c}
    nx                      OptIn
    
    Windows Boot Loader
    -------------------
    identifier              {60a99783-b869-11e0-b515-9f5d3426953c}
    device                  ramdisk=[C:]\Recovery\60a99783-b869-11e0-b515-9f5d342695
    3c\Winre.wim,{60a99784-b869-11e0-b515-9f5d3426953c}
    path                    \windows\system32\winload.exe
    description             Windows Recovery Environment
    inherit                 {bootloadersettings}
    osdevice                ramdisk=[C:]\Recovery\60a99783-b869-11e0-b515-9f5d342695
    3c\Winre.wim,{60a99784-b869-11e0-b515-9f5d3426953c}
    systemroot              \windows
    nx                      OptIn
    winpe                   Yes
    
    Resume from Hibernate
    ---------------------
    identifier              {60a9977d-b869-11e0-b515-9f5d3426953c}
    device                  partition=D:
    path                    \Windows\system32\winresume.exe
    description             Windows Resume Application
    locale                  en-US
    inherit                 {resumeloadersettings}
    filedevice              partition=D:
    filepath                \hiberfil.sys
    debugoptionenabled      No
    
    Resume from Hibernate
    ---------------------
    identifier              {60a99781-b869-11e0-b515-9f5d3426953c}
    device                  partition=C:
    path                    \Windows\system32\winresume.exe
    description             Windows Resume Application
    locale                  en-US
    inherit                 {resumeloadersettings}
    filedevice              partition=C:
    filepath                \hiberfil.sys
    debugoptionenabled      No
    
    Windows Memory Tester
    ---------------------
    identifier              {memdiag}
    device                  partition=D:
    path                    \boot\memtest.exe
    description             Windows Memory Diagnostic
    locale                  en-US
    inherit                 {globalsettings}
    badmemoryaccess         Yes
    
    EMS Settings
    ------------
    identifier              {emssettings}
    bootems                 Yes
    
    Debugger Settings
    -----------------
    identifier              {dbgsettings}
    debugtype               Serial
    debugport               1
    baudrate                115200
    
    RAM Defects
    -----------
    identifier              {badmemory}
    
    Global Settings
    ---------------
    identifier              {globalsettings}
    inherit                 {dbgsettings}
                            {emssettings}
                            {badmemory}
    
    Boot Loader Settings
    --------------------
    identifier              {bootloadersettings}
    inherit                 {globalsettings}
                            {hypervisorsettings}
    
    Hypervisor Settings
    -------------------
    identifier              {hypervisorsettings}
    hypervisordebugtype     Serial
    hypervisordebugport     1
    hypervisorbaudrate      115200
    
    Resume Loader Settings
    ----------------------
    identifier              {resumeloadersettings}
    inherit                 {globalsettings}
    
    Device options
    --------------
    identifier              {60a99780-b869-11e0-b515-9f5d3426953c}
    description             Ramdisk Options
    ramdisksdidevice        partition=D:
    ramdisksdipath          \Recovery\60a9977f-b869-11e0-b515-9f5d3426953c\boot.sdi
    
    Device options
    --------------
    identifier              {60a99784-b869-11e0-b515-9f5d3426953c}
    description             Ramdisk Options
    ramdisksdidevice        partition=C:
    ramdisksdipath          \Recovery\60a99783-b869-11e0-b515-9f5d3426953c\boot.sdi
    
    C:\Windows\system32>
    Kind Regards,

    Davo
      My Computer

  5.    #5

    Please post a screenshot of your maximized Disk Management drive map with listings, using SNipping TOol in Start Menu.

    The best way to multi-boot when Win7 is on separate HD's is via the BIOS, with preferred HD set to boot first then boot the other OS HD using the one-time BIOS Boot Menu key.

    Once we see the DIsk Mgmt screenshot we can advise you how best to do this now that you've already installed to SSD without first unplugging the HD. Or if you prefer we can help you use EasyBCD from the SSD to add Win7 on the HD correctly.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 173
    Windows 7 (XP, by Virtualization)
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Solution found!


    Hi All,

    Thanks for your assistance. I have sorted the issue...

    On installation to the SSD I set the SATA Mode in BIOS to "AHCI", whereas it was originally set to "IDE" when the first Windows installation took place (to the standard mechanical drive)!

    After setting the BIOS back to "IDE" I was then able to boot into the first Windows installation (on the standard mechanical drive).

    Now I just have to remember to change my BIOS before switching between OS installations.

    Kind Regards,

    Davo
      My Computer

  7.    #7

    That's a lot of trouble.

    Try this conversion on the drive installed in IDE mode: Change IDE to AHCI in BIOS - Much better performance - Windows 7 Forums
      My Computer


 

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