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| Thread ID: 137928 | 2014-09-10 06:09:00 | Can't boot XP without Win7 HDD connected | Vicx (11114) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 1383590 | 2014-09-10 06:09:00 | I had Win7 installed on my primary HDD. Got a new HDD and installed XP but left the old W7 HDD plugged in so I could copy all my data over to the new XP HDD, which is now all done and dusted. Problem is, when I disconnect the old W7 HDD my PC refuses to boot into XP even though I'm not using it. It has to be plugged in AND prioritised to boot first just to load XP from the second HDD. Win7 is acting like a stubborn kid who refuses to be ignored. I've got no idea how to fix this.. The error on boot says: "Reboot and select proper boot device or insert boot media in selected boot device and press a key_" I should also mention, my XP HDD is on D: while W7 is on C:, is this a problem? |
Vicx (11114) | ||
| 1383591 | 2014-09-10 06:19:00 | Even though Windows XP was installed on the secondary hard drive it will have installed its bootloader to the primary drive, which of course can't be found when you disconnect it. :) | pcuser42 (130) | ||
| 1383592 | 2014-09-10 06:31:00 | Probably better if you wipe everything start from scratch. And install XP then windows 7 | Speedy Gonzales (78) | ||
| 1383593 | 2014-09-10 06:45:00 | You can try rebuilding the Boot Ini, that tells windows XP how to load. Full instructions pcsupport.about.com NOTE: on some browsers, in step two it says "tcfg /rebuild" it should read "bootcfg /rebuild. XP simply got its knickers in a twist because W7 has the loader reference as well. The fact that XP is showing as D can be a problem as most programs by default load to C drive. Rebuilding the bootloader may fix that but if it doesn't a complete start again would be the safest answer. install XP first, THEN once its up and running connect the W7 drive as a slave and copy data. |
wainuitech (129) | ||
| 1383594 | 2014-09-10 09:00:00 | Rebuilding the bootloader may fix that but if it doesn't a complete start again would be the safest answer . install XP first, THEN once its up and running connect the W7 drive as a slave and copy data . When you said a complete start would be the best bet I was thinking no way in hell, I literally just finished restoring and setting everything up! But at the back of my mind I knew you were right so 30 mins later I bit the bullet and did the whole damn thing again . Unplugged the W7 HDD, formatted the primary HDD, installed XP and restored everything again . I figured I'm not going to do this again for another few years so I better make sure I do everything once and do it right one last time . Thanks for the help and advice everyone, all sorted now, should've done it properly the first time . . :badpc: |
Vicx (11114) | ||
| 1383595 | 2014-09-10 09:46:00 | Hindsight and all that but unless you are setting up a dual boot it's always best to install windows with just the intended boot drive connected and nothing else. You've seen first hand why. I've had similar issues the other way round with windows 7 needing the old windows XP drive connected to boot. That one you can fix with easyBCD (actually it might have worked for you too but oh well). One of the advanced options in easy BCD is the ability to set the boot drive and repair it's bootloader, worked a treat in my case. Nothing you can't do manually but it's a lot easier that way. |
dugimodo (138) | ||
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