Dual-booting with XP problem

[Doryphore]

So, one of my friends recently purchased a new laptop, but she did not like Windows 7. Knowing that I knew a little bit of computer related things, she asked me to get her Windows XP. I dual-booted it so that there is Windows 7 Home premium x64 and XP Professional installed. The XP worked perfectly fine, except that I found it wasn't compatible with some of the hardware, such as the wireless adapter. Finding out that she would not be able to connect to her network wirelessly, she asked for me to return it to window 7. So I restarted the computer and went to the OS select screen, however there was only an option to boot windows XP. I tried a few things, but nothing worked. I have 7 loaded on the original C: drive, and XP on an extended partition. I was wondering if there is a way to change the partition that the computer boots from, or if I will have to reformat the computer. I have a windows 7 installation disc, but this laptop came bundled with 7 originally.

So, my question is if there's a way I can make the computer boot from a different partition, and if not, is there a way to get back to the original OS without reformatting the HDD and reinstalling 7. I can access all her data and back it up, however I would prefer just not having to do that.



Just to clarify, I do not want a dual-booted system due to the hardware issues. I just wish to know how to return it to Windows 7



Thank you,

-Andrew Jensen

 

[theog]

Do a startup repair.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/681-startup-repair.html?ltr=S
Note: You may need to do startup repair 3 to 4 times.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105541-startup-repair-run-3-separate-times.html

Use EasyBCD 2.0 in Win 7 & Win XP.
Download EasyBCD 2.0.2 - NeoSmart Technologies
How to use EasyBCD
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/8057-dual-boot-installation-windows-7-xp.html?ltr=D

 

[alphanumeric]

When you installed XP it replaced the windows 7 bootloader with its own. If you had installed XP first and then 7, Windows 7 would have setup the dual boot for you. Even though you selected the second partition for XP the bootloader has to go on the Partition marked "active". In your case that was the Windows 7 partition C:. You could try doing a repair install. > http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html?ltr=R

 

[KinoisLbv]

Download and install EasyBCD tool, it will help you to setup a double boot for Windows and Vista. If needed that video tutorial will show you how to use it.

 

[Doryphore]

Download and install EasyBCD tool, it will help you to setup a double boot for Windows and Vista. If needed that video tutorial will show you how to use it.

I don't desire a dual-boot anymore. But will this EasyBCD let me just restore the windows 7 OS?

 

[theog]

Download and install EasyBCD tool, it will help you to setup a double boot for Windows and Vista. If needed that video tutorial will show you how to use it.

I don't desire a dual-boot anymore. But will this EasyBCD let me just restore the windows 7 OS?

No, Do a Startup Repair.

 

[SIW2]

Boot up your windows 7 dvd .

When you see the "install now" screen , press shift+f10 together. A black box opens ( command window).

Type:

bootsect /nt60 all

(then press enter ).

You're good.