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Can't access or view other partitions, can't dual boot to XP
Can't access or view other partitions, can't dual boot to XP
- I partitioned my hard drive in windows XP (32-bit version), then installed the Windows 7 Beta (64-bit version) on the new partition, but now I'm never given the option to dual-boot, and I can't see my other partitions from within the Beta.
I've gone into disk management, and it sees the partitions, but gives me NO OPTION on what to do with them, I can't even assign a drive letter.
My guess is the bit-versions of the two operating systems, should I reinstall windows 7 as a 32-bit version? I don't know what else to try. Any and all suggestions welcome!
Answers
- Well, somehow my problem has been solved. As I mentioned in my previous post, I needed to use a floppy to boot to XP after I restored the boot options page. I tried installing the recovery console from the CD in an attempt to fix the looping problem by restoring the boot files, but it wouldn't let me because it said the Boot.ini file was missing. I removed the floppy and rebooted from the CD, then I removed the CD and rebooted. When I chose XP from the boot options, this time it started up! Just before it booted to XP, a message appeared on the screen that read: Invalid BOOT.INI file Booting from C:\windows\, then it starts XP normally after that. Now, some might say "Great, the problem's fixed, so let it go," but the perfectionist in me still wants to correct the boot.ini issue because it was never originally a problem and I want to learn how to remove that message by making the proper file repair. Anyone with the knowledge could be a big help.
- Marked As Answer byRonnie VernonMVP, ModeratorFriday, May 15, 2009 10:49 AM
All Replies
Dual booting 32bit and 64bit should not pose any problem. Can you post a screen shot what you actually see?
- How do I take a screenshot in Windows 7?
You can do it several ways.
The easiest is to use the Snipping Tool. Click the Start orb and type “snip.” The Snipping tool will appear at the top. Using it, you can capture then the entire desktop, a selected window, a rectangular capture of your choosing, or a free-form capture.
Or, you can use the XP method of hitting <print screen> to capture the entire desktop, or <alt><print screen> to capture the active window.
- Hi
1. Test and fix partition problems with testdisk free tool http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk_Download
2. Assign drive letter for XP partition
3. Use easybcd free tool to add boot menu entry for XP from within W7 http://neosmart.net/dl.php?id=1- Proposed As Answer byVentsislav Alexandriyski Tuesday, February 17, 2009 9:15 PM
- Unproposed As Answer byLawrence GarvinMVP, AnswererThursday, March 12, 2009 11:19 PM
- I ran into a similar problem when I made changes to my older version of windows after installing 7. I ran the commands given in Article ID: 919529 and was able to restore the boot options but even though the option to choose an OS has been restored, I still can't boot to XP now, without using a floppy with the boot files on it. Otherwise, it simply restarts and returns to the boot options window whenever I select XP. Where and how can I restore the older boot files? The article states that they should be on the active partition, which I believe will always be the one with 7 on it, as long as it's installed, but not how and where to put them on it. Any suggestions?
- I have my screenshot, but I don't know anything about html. how do I paste it in here?
- Heres an Update -
I ran the suggested Testdisk utility, and then even though I didn't modify anything strangely my computer rebooted to XP instead of Windows 7. A relief, cause nothing there had been affected. I now can use the utility to switch bootable partition, and when I select the Windows 7 partition as bootable primary, now Windows 7 will boot and recognize my other partitions. I can basically dual boot manually this way between OS's.
I have set up a second boot option within Windows 7 for my XP partition, but I'm having the same "choosing XP means the computer resets in a loop" problem that other users have faced, so I'm off to look for that solution now.
- Noahg53 said:
I have my screenshot, but I don't know anything about html. how do I paste it in here?
Already covered. :)
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7itprogeneral/thread/ad942042-c17e-4837-8465-6c3115602053/ - Well, somehow my problem has been solved. As I mentioned in my previous post, I needed to use a floppy to boot to XP after I restored the boot options page. I tried installing the recovery console from the CD in an attempt to fix the looping problem by restoring the boot files, but it wouldn't let me because it said the Boot.ini file was missing. I removed the floppy and rebooted from the CD, then I removed the CD and rebooted. When I chose XP from the boot options, this time it started up! Just before it booted to XP, a message appeared on the screen that read: Invalid BOOT.INI file Booting from C:\windows\, then it starts XP normally after that. Now, some might say "Great, the problem's fixed, so let it go," but the perfectionist in me still wants to correct the boot.ini issue because it was never originally a problem and I want to learn how to remove that message by making the proper file repair. Anyone with the knowledge could be a big help.
- Marked As Answer byRonnie VernonMVP, ModeratorFriday, May 15, 2009 10:49 AM
