always loads Windows XP

[denbal87]

Hey guys,

I'm having a problem here. I shrunk my HD today and installed Windows XP on the created partition. Now when I start my laptop, it always loads Windows XP. It doesn't give me an option to load Windows 7. I tried to change default OS through control panel, but Windows XP is the only one that shows up in the drop down menu. All that said, I still have my Windows 7 files when I'm in XP, but some of the folders are faded and cannot be opened. Any suggestion on how I can fix this and access my Windows 7 again? Please help, this is driving me crazy!

Thanks in advance!

 

[gregrocker]

Install EasyBCD and Net Framework 2.0 if needed, add Win7 on the Add OS Entry tab.

If this fails start Win7 by marking it Active then running Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times,
then install EasyBCD to Win7 to add XP which works better.
EasyBCD (free Download at bottom of page - no name or email required)

 

[denbal87]

Hey gregrocker! I installed easyBCD in XP and it showed that W7 was the only OS in there. This made no sense since it is the OS that I cannot load whatever I do. I was gonna try the second method you suggested, but I must have done something while I was in easyBCD cuz now nothing will load, and it says "Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
<Windows root>\system32\ntoskrnl.exe"

I found a couple of tutorials on how to fix this, but what did I do to cause that?? Ugh now I wish I'd never installed that XP for dual booting...

 

[gregrocker]

You might want to try running XP in one of the free virtualization softwares from within Win7 if your CPU will support it.

You can try to run an XP Repair Install now or reinstall it to follow the steps given, or you can start Win7 following the steps I gave earlier. However then adding XP from Win7 likely will give you the same error and if you then Repair XP it will steal the Win7 boot again.

If you're done with XP you can delete it in Win7 Disk Mgmt once it starts.