Try this, while in XP, put in the Win 7 install DVD. Open a command prompt and type the following with F: being replaced by the DVD drive letter:
f:\boot\bootsect /nt60 SYS
This should return the MBR to look for a Win 7 boot sequence and allow you to boot into Win 7. If you decide to go back to xp, subsitiute 52 for 60
But it is getting confusing, maybe another disk managment picture would help.
when i open the command prompt the window itself reads this : E:\Windows\system32\cmd.exe
then the path inside the window reads E:\Documents and Settings\Administrator>
i typed in the above info (my dvd drive is f:) (fyi) but get the following message: not recognised as an internal or external command.......
i had my win 7 recovery disk 1 in the drive.
is there a way just to start all over?
Do you want to attempt to start Win7? If so you need to mark it active again then run Startup Repair up to 3 separate times with reboots to repair the MBR>
Boot the Win7 DVD Repair console or Repair CD, click through to recovery tools list, open a Command Line and type:
DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK # (# for Win7 HD)
LIST PARTITION
SELECT PARTITION # (# for Win7 partition)
ACTIVE
EXIT
Now return to Recovery tools list and run Startup Repair at least 3 times with reboots to start Win7.
If Win7 will not start, then go into BIOS and change SATA controller back to ACHI then repeat above steps.
Yes, the bootsect.exe utility is not on the Win 7 Repair, but is on the Install DVD. If you decide you need it, there is probably a place from where you can download it.
For now, some more reading..hopefully it will help.
Windows no longer starts after you install an earlier version of the Windows operating system in a dual-boot configuration
Bootsect.exe Modifies the Bootsector Not the MBR!! — The NeoSmart Files
Saltgrass;
I know also that there is no "bootsect.exe" in the boot folder of the "System Repair" CD, but I have been using that command for all of my current posts about bootsect!
https://www.sevenforums.com/installat...wont-boot.html
https://www.sevenforums.com/installat...dual-boot.html
There should be no problem using it as described here: MBR - Restore Windows 7 Master Boot Record - Windows 7 Forums
It is working for me!
Robert
Iseeu is correct.
The original version of bootsect.exe included with Vista ( on the dvd ) did not include writing the mbr.
There was a misleading ms article implying that it did. You could easily see that for yourself , using a disk editor.
The newer versions of bootsect.exe included in Vista SP2 and 7 do include the optional switch to write the mbr.
The 7 recovery disc also includes it. There was a functioning beta recdisc.exe in the beta versions of Vista - it was disabled in the rtm.
That beta recdisc.exe can be used to create Vista recovery disc - such as the one hosted by Neosmart, but it is fairly rudimentary. The disc it creates not only requires the user to already have a Vista dvd - it also doesn't include bootsect.
However , it is easy to add the newer version of SP2/7 bootsect.exe to the boot folder and rebuild the .iso of the Vista rudimentary recovery disc.
bootsect.zip
You can put a copy in \Windows\system32 , then run the commands from within windows, if you like.
gregrocker is a genius!!! thank you so much for your help. i am back on my windows 7 drive. but i still want everything to work. i can't quit now, i've come too far. so now i have xp on my drive E and 7 on my drive D. do i download Easybcd now and run that? i still need to get the drivers for my xp. i went to the manufacturers page with my model computer and they don't have any xp drivers for me. only vista and 7. i guess if i get the network adapter driver as you suggested in an earlier post then i can download (update) the rest of them. btw, my SATA controller is still in IDE mode and 7 seems to be fully functional. so where do i go from here? i am confused after reading all the posts and after so many problems which step is next.
thank you again for everyone's help. it is much appreciated.
Download and install EasyBCD 2.0 beta after doing the quick registration to use the beta.
Add XP on the Add/Remove tab by Name and Type. It should autocomplete the drive letter after asking you if you want to download boot files. Then highlight new XP listing in the list above and Save.
There is sometimes a hitch if you have the 100mb System Reserved partition installed with Win7 - you might need to assign it a drive letter in Disk Mgmt, then remove and Add XP again..
If any problems arise, post back a screenshot of the Easy listings using the Snipping tool in Start Menu, attaching file with paper clip in reply box.
Last edited by gregrocker; 26 Jan 2010 at 16:47.
I did not see any reference to bootsect.exe in your first reference. I did see a quite a few bcdedit.exe references.
As far as I know, bootsect is only on the Win 7 Install DVD, not on a normal Win 7 install. If you have installed EasyBCD, you will have it in that directory. It is not on a Win 7 Repair CD.
From my standpoint, Bootsect will aim the boot sequence at either a XP or Win 7 boot sequence, and that is what I though might be going on. I said nothing about repairing the MBR...
SWI2, I do not understand your comment about Iseeu being correct...about what?
Yes, I could be totally mistaken. At my age, I get confused easily. It wouldn't be the first time I have been wrong, and I am sure it won't be the last.
Not to argue, but in the kindest way I know how, I would like to show you what I have just done using the 32 bit repair CD I burned off of my 32 bit Windows 7 Ultimate RC awhile back.
I first used "list volume" to display the CD Rom.
Then I opened the directories to show there is no "bootsect.exe" visible the way it appears on the install DVD.
I went back to the F: root (not in the boot folder) and executed the command.
It says it was successful. I did have Ubuntu installed at one time and had used this CD to overwrite Grub a few times. I believe it is present on the cd and can be used successfully.
Again I could be wrong. Perhaps it is accessing bootsect from the recovery partition or the Windows 7 partition? I would just be happy to have a definite answer.
Thank you and cheers!
Robert
Quote
