dual boot problem

[decipherfreak]

I was dual booting XP and 7, and after I reformatted my XP partition I no longer get to choose which os during booting. It automatically boots XP. How do get back the screen that lets me choose between XP and 7?
Thanks

 

[gregrocker]

You reformatted your XP partition? Did you also reinstall XP?

 

[decipherfreak]

yes

 

[gregrocker]

Install EasyBCD (click Download - no Name or Email required) and add the missing OS using Add/Remove tab. View attachment 44471

You'll need to install Net Framework 2.0 to use EasyBCD in XP.

The other method is to boot into Windows 7 DVD System Recovery Options to Mark Win7 or its 100mb System Reserved (preferred if you have it) Partition Active and then run Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times to start Win7, install EasyBCD to add XP.

 

[decipherfreak]

I tried the EasyBCD but it couldnt find a registry.

 

[gregrocker]

Registry? Please explain. What registry does it need?

Did you install Net Framework 2.0 first?

 

[decipherfreak]

Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 is installed
When I run EasyBCD, I get an error saying

Error Opening BCD Registry
The boot configuration data store could not be opened.
TThe syst4em cannot find the file specified.
Would you like to manually load a BCD registry for EasyBCD to manage?

 

[gregrocker]

Go ahead and accept the files it offers since it would not ask if it doesn't need them. It is fully automated.

Here is the tutorial you should be following, Method Two Win7 dual boot where XP was installed last:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/8057-dual-boot-installation-windows-7-xp.html

At the end of Method Two install, It shows screenshots of how to use EasyBCD.

Basically add the OS missing in EasyBCD listings in Add/Remove tab by name, type and drive letter. It will do the rest. You have the latest version which will automate most of the steps for you. Just accept and click thru.

 

[decipherfreak]

I was going off of this guide
Recovering the Vista Bootloader with EasyBCD - NeoSmart Technologies Wiki
I had to go find the bcd file from my windows 7 install
I tried the first method of reinstalling bootloader but it didnt do anything.
I tried the second method of resetting the bcd storage but now I cant boot at all. I get a error

disk read error occurred
press ctrl+alt+del to restart

at this point I'm tempted to just do a complete clean install

 

[gregrocker]

The one thing that you didn't try is what it says in the tutorial to do, and what I suggested an hour ago:

Install EasyBCD and add the missing OS using Add/Remove tab.

Not reinstalling the bootloader or resetting the BCD, simply adding Win7 to the Boot Menu, fully automated in EasyBCD 2.0

It may be beyond Repair, but at least try the actual procedure.

 

[decipherfreak]

I used the Windows 7 DVD to repair, and now it only boots in Windows 7.

 

[gregrocker]

The only focus of Startup Repair from the booted Win7 DVD is to recover Win7. It does not concern itself with the dual boot at all, just restarts Win7.

Now that you are in Win7, if you will post back a screenshot of your full Disk Management map, and the listings from the front of EasyBCD, we can advise you the exact steps to get your Dual Boot menu recovered.

Use the Snipping Tool in the Start menu, attach files using paper clip in Reply box.

 

[Saltgrass]

Was this done on one hard drive?

You realize when you redid the XP partition, you wiped out the Win 7 boot files, which include a Boot folder and a bootmgr file plus possibly a hiberfil.sys and pagefile.sys.

The disk managment picture requested is important to us so we can understand you situation.

 

[dfp]

I am having exactly the same problems trying to use easy bcd;

Error Opening BCD Registry
The boot configuration data store could not be opened.
TThe syst4em cannot find the file specified.
Would you like to manually load a BCD registry for EasyBCD to manage?

I am following instructions here to create xp/win 7 dual boot;

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/8057-dual-boot-installation-windows-7-xp.html

Easybcd requests a BCD registry location and will not allow any entries to be created without it. I hunted around and as easybcd prompt mentioned something about running from a windows 7 boot loader, I found a BCD file location in the windows system32, in BOOT folder called BCD. Once selected it allowed me to use easyBCD. But when the time came to close the app and exit, it says;

"Unable to obtain exclusive access to D:\Windows\Bot\DVD\PCAT\BCD. If this is a removable disk, try ejecting and re0nserting it and then try again"

It is however NOT a removable disk, and it will not let me exit easybcd without dealing with this issue.

 

[gregrocker]

Which OS have you installed EasyBCD on? Are both OS's installed?