invalid boot.ini

[darrylb]

Hi, I have windows xp pro x86, I just installed windows 7 ultimite x64 as a dual boot on the same partition.
Win7 works great.
when I boot up, if i choose xp, error says
"windows will not start because system32/ntoskrnl.exe"
"invalid boot.ini"
"windows could not starte because the following file is missing or invalid windows root system32 ntoskrnl.exe

I did some reading and some places say to put in my xp disk, start up with r for recovery and type bootcfg /list bootcfg/ rebuild
Although I am scared of messing up the windows 7
Someone else told me just to put my winxp disc in and do a repair....

Any idea's?

 

[gregrocker]

Hi, I have windows xp pro x86, I just installed windows 7 ultimite x64 as a dual boot on the same partition.

You mean you installed as a dual boot on the same drive, but used a separate partition right? Because you can certainly not install 64 bit Windows 7 on the same partition as 32 bit XP.

If you mean that you installed WIndows 7 on a separate partition, then:

Boot into Windows 7 and post a screenshot of your full Disk Management map, using the Snipping Tool on the Start Menu, attaching file in reply box using paper clip.

Also, download EasyBCD 2.0 beta (below) and post a screenshot of the listings found on its front screen.

IF you installed 64 bit Win7 on same partition with 32bit XP, then you need to try to back out of it with a repair install by booting into the XP CD, proceed with install until it finds the XP installation and then select Repair the Installation.

If the same screen which discovers the XP installation to repair ALSO discovers the Win7 installation, delete Win7 if possible before proceeding with the XP repair install which will save all programs, files and settings in place while reinstalling the OS and reconfiguring the boot. It should delete the WIn7 partition but it may need to be manually deleted first.

 

[darrylb]

Na, I installed both os's on the same partition... I will reformat and make 2 different partitions... that should work out better.

Thanks for the reply.