Problem with dual boot Win 7 + XP (XP first)

From what I see, the media drive 0 is the primary drive. It has the System partition, which means it has the boot files on it.

I would take the DVD out so it won't confuse the situation. If you want to keep your media drive, it might be best to disconnect it.

Could you check the root directories of the XP, Win 7 and media drive for the hidden system files bootmgr and ntldr? Make note of where you find them. I am guessing they are in the Media drive, but also maybe one or the other will be on the XP or Win 7 drive.

If he makes the XP partition active and puts that drive first in the drive priority (not not boot order), or disconnect the Media drive, he should be back where he started.

The system would then boot to the XP partition as system and use the already installed boot files.

I followed the recs made by SIW2: it worked beautifully. I now see the boot manager menu as it should (without having the Win 7 DVD in the drive).

However, drive E: (media), is still recognized by the system as Disk 0. And there is still boot info on this drive. But is this info being used? After all, I told EASYBCD to use C:.

I'm not too worried about this now, but is this going to be an issue in the future? Let's say if I pull the E: drive? Actually, I think I should get this right now, for I would hate to have bigger problems in the future.

What do you think?

By the way, thank you to everyone. I really do appreciate the assistance.

You should be fine. Check in Disk Management.

If the 7 partition is listed as System - you don't need the boot files on Media drive, and removing the Media drive is ok.

It doesn't matter that it is called Disk 0.

Thanks again. I appreciate your help. If you are near Milwaukee, I'd buy you a beer. Otherwise, let me know if this site collects donations. I'd be glad to contribute.

I'm the other side of the world, happy to help.

Have a great year.