Dual Booting prob

[DanF]

Hi all. I need your help with this one.

I have a computer with Windows 7 installed, and the client asked if I could setup Windows XP as well.

So I've used Microsoft's built-in management tool to shrink the only hard drive to be able and create another NTFS partition. So far so good. I've booted the system and installed Windows XP on the newly created partition. All goes well and the system restarted. Goes through the POST and then all I get is an underscore bleeping for infinity.

If I boot from the DVD it will ask to re-install the OS again... so it's an infinite loop. If I boot from the HDD it will keep on bleeping.

... and I've never encountered such a problem, and I'm stuck.

What do you guys / gals think is causing this? Thanks in advance.

 

[DanF]

... looks like XP wiped Win7's boot loader!

Lesson learned!

 

[DarDar]

The issue is most likely to do with the fact that Xp uses boot.ini files for the boot process and Win7 (like vista) uses the bcd file for booting. I would reinstall win7 and then use bcdedit to add in winxp as a second os. Or use easybcd for a nice gui.

However having said all that, usually if you install xp after win7 you will just be left with xp and a now useless partition with 7 on. It doesn't usually start beeping. Check is there a bios signal to say that there is no known boot device. maybe disconnect the hdd before powering up and leave no dvd in the drive?

 

[DanF]

I've managed to load Win7 back by simply using the Win7 repair disk.

I'm going to try using easybcd to load Xp as well.

 

[Alan22]

Typically you should install the older OS first, then any subsequent OS. Any time I've tried doing it in reverse I've gotten headaches. Any time I did it in the correct order I never had an issue.

How about using 7's XP mode? I've been using it and it works great for me. You'll need 7 Pro or Ultimate. The upgrade from 7 Home Premium to Pro is around $100 and installs very quickly.

 

[DanF]

Ok done. Thanks for your help. To be honest it's the first time I'm experiencing this issue, so I was a little worried about it.

Thanks again, it's now booting both OSs.

 

[DanF]

I'll check about the XP mode tomorrow.

As regards to installing the older OS first, Win7 was already installed and the client has a lot of personal files, so it was one of the last options to completely remove Win7, installing Xp and then re-installing 7

Thanks.

Typically you should install the older OS first, then any subsequent OS. Any time I've tried doing it in reverse I've gotten headaches. Any time I did it in the correct order I never had an issue.

How about using 7's XP mode? I've been using it and it works great for me. You'll need 7 Pro or Ultimate. The upgrade from 7 Home Premium to Pro is around $100 and installs very quickly.