BCDEDIT - How to Use

tblount7 said:

...

I'm kind of desperate to get back into my XP Installation, I hope someone can explain this issue.

You set up a multi-boot menu when Windows 7 is running and you only need to run 3 commands:

bcdedit /copy {current} /d "XP"

You will get this message with DIFFERENT guid numbers

The entry was successfully copied to {bda1ead3-8577-11de-883c-00226808ae4c}

Use YOUR guid number in the 2 following commands:

bcdedit /set { YOUR GUID NUMBER } osdevice partition=E:

bcdedit /set { YOUR GUID NUMBER } description "XP"


That's it.... you can even run Msconfig and look under the Boot tab and see it.. and modify the priority and time to default to the first entry.


I think Xp will run from a win 7 multi-boot menu.

Hi tblount,

I am afraid that isn't going to work for XP - your instructions add an additional entry under a different description for the NT6 osloader to the partition you are currently booted into.

Windows Boot Loader
-------------------
identifier {160373fe-b6bb-11de-a6fd-001966657855}
device partition=D:
path \windows\system32\winload.exe
description XP
locale en-us
inherit {bootloadersettings}
osdevice partition=E:
systemroot \windows
resumeobject {160373fb-b6bb-11de-a6fd-001966657855}
nx OptIn
detecthal Yes

This works for me to load my backup clone of windows 7 .(which is much easier than reconfiguring my bios twice if I want to boot into my clone hd). .and it also works to run the recovery option so I can easily get a command prompt (outside Windows) without a cd. No os is booted when you see the multi boot menu. You should be able to chose any drive and any os you want. If you don't have anything there... for example you set up a multi-boot entry to boot to a usb and the usb has been taken out you will just go to the recovery menu.

What happened when you tried to run xp from your multi boot menu?

It hands control to winload.exe - the osloader for NT6 operating systems - which is why it will load up a clone of 7.

Ntldr is the osloader for XP. I don't think winload.exe can also load XP.

I don't have XP installed.

To add an entry for ntldr to nt6 bcd so that control is handed to ntldr on selection from the bootmenu :

Bcdedit /create {ntldr} /d "Description for earlier Windows version"

Bcdedit /set {ntldr} device partition=x:

( replace x: with the drive letter for the active partition.)

Bcdedit /set {ntldr} path \ntldr

Bcdedit /displayorder {ntldr} /addlast

Hey Limneos, thanks for the post.... I'm not really an IT pro here but was very fascinated by the new features of visualization. Tried to Google and play with the VHD and Bcdedit but most of the time my setting were all messed up..... All I can say here is, this is the best, the most detailed post I had ever come across this past few weeks.... Good job and keep it up! ( Google no further, this will be my one and only search place for Windows 7)

Cheers!

Hi guys..

I had an installation of Windows 7 RC on C:
and an installation of Windows 7 Retail on D:

Since the installation on C: was no longer needed i formatted C: ..
and removed the Windows 7 RC entry with EasyBCD 1.7.

Now when i boot i get a black screen with a blinking cursor.
And Windows 7 dvd can't fix the problem.

How do i get i to boot from D: ..?
I know i have to use Bcdedit from command promt, but not sure what to type..?

Please help me..

Chris

Thx Limneos..

But im not sure where i can locate the UUID number..?

When i type D:\Users\myname>bcdedit it says:

The boot configuration data store could not be opened.
The requested system device cannot be found..

Any ideas..?

Chris

Hi Chris,

Boot 7 dvd to cmd prompt,

Type:

Diskpart

lis vol

( find the letter for your Win 7 retail volume - use that in place of ? below )

sel vol ?:

act

exi

Then run startup repair 3 times.

Thx SIW2..

Progress i think :)

Now, when i boot it says:

BOOTMGR is missing
Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart

What should i do..?

Chris