Windows 7/XP Dualbooting Question

[drfsupercenter]

Hey guys,

I recently built a new HTPC and am running Windows 7 64-bit on there. But I also have a Windows XP native installation, as I am also using it to record audio from S/PDIF (and Windows Vista and newer do not lock down the digital inputs like XP and previous)

I installed Windows 7 second, so that I could use the boot manager to select an OS. Using EasyBCD, I changed the options so they show "Windows XP" and "Windows 7" respectively. Windows 7 is the default that boots after 10 seconds of not selecting an OS.

Here is my question - is it possible to make an intelligent reboot script, so that if I'm running XP and select Restart, it will restart into XP and vice versa for 7? It would be really useful - especially if I could make it remember that preference after shutdown so it will just start what was previously running. In other words, the only way to change the OS is when it boots, to just select which one I want.

 

[LMiller7]

I don't think this is possible, at least not without serious programming. Not a simple script. The problem is that the OS selection takes place very early in the boot process, long before any script can run. That means modifying the boot parameters before the reboot. That is not simple and open to a variety of issues which I wouldn't care to speculate on.

 

[drfsupercenter]

Well, would it be possible to, for example, have it modify the BCD file when you shut down? If Windows 7 is the one shutting down, set Windows 7 as the default, and the other way around for XP?

 

[LMiller7]

Possible, yes.
Simple, no.

 

[drfsupercenter]

Doable?

I don't mind if it's not simple, as long as it can be set up so I don't have to keep jumping through hoops all the time.

 

[LMiller7]

I only understand how this could be done in general terms and have no interest in pursuing this further. It seems to me this could go wrong in multiple ways. Not recommended.

 

[drfsupercenter]

Anyone else who has experience with this stuff want to help?