How would I dual-boot in this scenario?

Page 6 of 12 FirstFirst ... 45678 ... LastLast

  1. Posts : 64
    Windows 7 Home Premum 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #51

    Well, the point is it doesn't work, which seems to bode poorly as I can't think of a reason for it to fail so catastrophically. Recourse to it has been necessary several times in the past (which may not surprise you), and it has served me well.

    Another attempt with Partition Manager disc: I tried the "Set Windows Boot Partition" function on the C partition but was given the error message "Could not locate Windows directory". Could the Windows system/boot files be erased or damaged? Looking at the GB count in Partition Manager, all my data seems to be present...

    I'll have the ISO downloaded soon, and will try simply burning it onto a DVD.
      My Computer

  2.    #52

    Once you image it over as Active partition, it tries to boot XP, which cannot boot for several possible reasons and isn't ready to boot anyway until you add it to a boot menu from Win7 first, and possibly adjust it by injecting SATA driver.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 64
    Windows 7 Home Premum 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #53

    I understand that, but surely something else must be going on now that C:\ a.k.a. OS partition is set to Active?

    Why would the machine try to boot XP if the W7 bootloader is intact (recalling that I deselected the "Copy over MBR" option in the reimaging process), and the original OS partition is set to active? Also recall that I'm still getting the same "device inaccessible" error on boot attempt.
      My Computer

  4.    #54

    How do you know that the Win7 partition is marked Active as it must be to boot?

    If you are using a Partition Manager disk then please post back a camera snap of its drive map and listings. We recommend Partition Wizard boot CD. It can Modify>Set to Active Win7 partition, then Rebuild MBR with Partition Wizard Rebuild MBR Video Help.

    But you still may need to run 3 Startup Repairs from Win7 DVD.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 64
    Windows 7 Home Premum 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #55


      My Computer


  6. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #56

    I just came back from shopping and see that this a quite a mess. To proceed, I suggest the following:

    1. Boot with the Partition Wizard CD
    2. Highlight the disk in question
    3. Do a 'Rebuild MBR' - on the left side
    4. Highlight the C partition on that disk
    5. Go to the partition tab > Modify and make C active

    Check before that there is no other active partition on that disk - if yes, make it inactive first.

    If that worked, you can proceed with the 3x repair
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 64
    Windows 7 Home Premum 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #57

    Alright, three actions.

    1. Inactivate C.
    2. Rebuild MBR of the W7 disk.
    3. Make C active.

    I then booted. I got a black screen with:

    BOOTMGR is missing
    Press CTRL+ALT+DEL to restart
    This is quite dire, I figure.

    The Windows 7 disk you had me make is burning, and 100% complete - but the checksum has been developing for 10 minutes. Would it be safe to just cancel and use the disk as-is?
      My Computer

  8.    #58

    It needs Startup Repair - Run up to 3 Separate Times. Unplug all other HD's but Win7.

    How exactly are you burning the DVD? If this doesn't complete I would access a Windows PC to use the tools I linked earlier with an ISO you confirm is fully downloaded and intact.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 64
    Windows 7 Home Premum 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #59

    I lost patience and ejected the Windows 7 DVD - the software tells me the image burned successfully though, so...

    I booted from it, and it took me to an Installer for Windows 7. There is no option to Repair Windows or Startup Repair. Do you really believe I should reinstall at this stage?
      My Computer

  10.    #60

    A Win7 DVD could not boot if it doesn't have Repair My Computer on its second screen. Look again.

    Either that or it's being started from an OS.
      My Computer


 
Page 6 of 12 FirstFirst ... 45678 ... LastLast

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:23.
Find Us