Boot Fail - Made a fool of myself!

[Andy 5667]

Hi Guys. Require computer assistance for the first time in a very long time.

 

I have received a new copy of a work related program which annoyingly only runs on XP!

 

I installed XP on a new partition (I:/) alongside my Windows 7 partition (c:/) but now i cannot boot 7.

 

I have tried on XP to manually put the startup info in for the 7 installation on partition 2 with no luck.

 

Unfortunately, i do not have the original disk for 7 but i am currently downloading a repair disk. Will this be of use?

 

Thanks guys...

 

Andy

[KenB]

Hi Andy and welcome to ExTS

 

but now i cannot boot 7.

 

So - you can boot XP by default ?

 

If this is the case I think you may need to add a line to the Boot.ini of the XP installation to give you the option of selecting the Win 7 installation.

 

This is a typical XP Boot.ini file.

[boot loader]

timeout=30

default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS

[operating systems]

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect

Try adding the following line underneath the original Boot.ini ......

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Windows 7" /fastdetect

To edit the Boot.ini file .....

 

1. Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.

2. On the Advanced tab, click Settings

 

3. Under Startup and Recovery - click EDIT

 

Don't forget to save the changes.

 

The timeout=30 causes the system to wait 30 secs before loading

You can change this if you want.

 

DO NOT alter any other part of the Boot.ini file.

[Andy 5667]

Hi Ken thanks for your response.

 

I gave that a go, now getting standard "windows could not start". So corrupt apparently is root>\system32\ntoskrnl.exe

 

Arg! I remember why i hate computers.

 

Thanks again.

 

Andy

[KenB]

ntoskrnl.exe

 

This, amongst other things, can be related to a corrupt Boot.ini.

If you only added the extra line - windows should boot up anyway if you leave it for 30 seconds.

 

Switch on and constantly tap F8 ( immediately ) about once per second.

If you get to the Start-up option select "Last Known Good Configuration"

 

If this does nothing ....

 

Use F8 again and this time select "Safe Mode"

It is unlikely - but can you boot from here ?

 

Failing this ......

 

Use the XP disk and run a Repair Install of the OS.

click here

 

Make sure you select the XP partition.

 

Alternatively you could attach the hard drive to another computer and format the XP partition.

This will remove it all together.