Triple boot setup (Linux, Win7, WinXP); XP reports NTLDR missing


  1. Posts : 19
    LMDE, Win7 x64
       #1

    Triple boot setup (Linux, Win7, WinXP); XP reports NTLDR missing


    After considerable tinkering I've managed to properly partition and install three operating systems in my netbook - Linux Mint Debian Edition, which I use normally; Windows 7, which I use when I need some Windows-specific application that is unavailable in Linux; and Windows XP, which I use (disconnected from the Internet) to interface with some old hardware that has no drivers available for 7 and won't work properly in virtualization.

    The last round of tinkering resulted in me finally configuring grub2 properly, so I can now select and boot all three partitions. However, while LMDE and 7 run fine, trying to boot XP results in a "NTLDR is missing" error.

    How do I fix this while leaving the rest of the boot procedure untouched? I've tried Googling and applied the found solutions, but they all rewrite the MBR. I can then easily restore grub2, but I lose the ability to boot 7. And if I then restore boot ability to 7 (from the install disc) and re-restore grub2, I again lose XP.
      My Computer

  2.    #2

    This is a Windows forum. We pioneered many of the fixes for Win7, which may not apply here since you are asking about GRUB.

    In a typical XP-Win7 Dual boot where Win7 is installed second the Win7 installer only updates the boot files on XP to boot Win7. Then to add Linux what works best is here: Dual boot Ubuntu-Win7

    Normally to re-establish a failed Windows boot menu what works best is to Mark Win7 Partition Active then run Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times. This moves the System flag and boot files to Win7 or its' System Reserved partition so the more modern OS is booting the system, and the multi-faceted repair checks and fixes many other parameters.

    You can then install EasyBCD to add XP to a Dual Boot. EasyBCD (click Download - no Name or Email required)

    However since you're relying on GRUB it may require a Linux solution and not Windows, unless you want to add the Linux distro per Dual boot Ubuntu-Win7.

    Another method is here to Dual Boot - Windows 7 and Linux - Windows 7 Forums whose author may be able to help you better if contacted through the comments section.
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  3. Posts : 1
    Linux Debian 7.7.0 64 bits
       #3

    My system
    AMD64
    4GB RAM
    3 SATA hard drives

    My system hard drives and partitioning:
    SCSI3 sda 82.0GB Windows XP
    #1 primary 81.9GB Bootable ntfs
    SCSI4 sdb 82.3GB Windows 7
    #1 primary 82.3GB ntfs
    SCSI5 sdc 160.0GB Debian 7.7.0
    #1 primary 10.0GB ext4 /
    #5 logical 6.0GB swap swap
    #6 logical 144.0GB ext4 /home

    Installation process:
    1.- Install Win XP first
    2.- then install Win 7. Select the [EMS enabled] booting option at the beginning of the installation
    3.- finally install GNU/Linux. When asked for the installation of GRUB in the MBR (Master Boot Record) say yes.

    Performance:
    During booting Grub will ask for Debian 7.7.0 Wheezy or for Windows 7 (NO Windows XP option is shown), if you select the WinDogs option, the Windows bootloader will be charged and will let you choose between Win 7 or Win XP

    Enjoy with GNU/Linux!
    ... or suffer with the other guys...
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 19
    LMDE, Win7 x64
    Thread Starter
       #4

    This is a bit of a necropost, but just in case someone stumbles upon this and has the same problem, I found a bunch of boot files in the root of the Win7 install that looked more old-school than I expected (autoexec.bat and such). I moved them over to the XP partition's root directory and that caused XP to boot again.
      My Computer


  5. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #5

    LOL - that's a good one. Have to know how to help yourself. Congratulations. None of us would have guessed that this is the solution.
      My Computer


 

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