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Thread ID: 101254 2009-07-06 22:00:00 Windows 7 dual-boot with Windows XP mathsgood (13356) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
789653 2009-07-06 22:00:00 Last night I wanted to dual-boot Windows 7 with Windows XP. So I used Gparted to resize and installed Windows 7. I also reinstalled Windows XP.

This is what happened:
After I had finished reinstalling Windows XP, I installed Windows 7 on a different partition. But after I installed it I could no longer boot into Windows XP. I used EasyBCD to add an entry to boot to XP but it said that NTDETECT and ntldr was missing and I had to download the files from Neosmart and copy it into where I installed Windows XP. Then i restarted the computer and I saw it was there. However, I never checked if it worked. Then later I wanted to boot to Windows XP and it says: Error 0xc000000f The file \NTLDR was missing or corrupt.
I tried MS Support Site: support.microsoft.com but now when I try to boot to Windows XP the system automatically restarts.

I am preparing to reinstall Windows XP, to see if that works.
But can you tell me if this is OK?
What shall I do now?

Thanks:thanks:thanks:thanks:thanks:thanks
mathsgood (13356)
789654 2009-07-06 22:58:00 I had a similar problem and I think it all depends on what sequence you use. Also, what SP version of XP do you have? I ask this as if you only have SP1 you might be able to use the XP disk to copy the NTLDR and NTDETECT.COM to your HDD. There are other posts on this site that cover that

If XP was on the HDD, I found that loading Win7 afterwards actually fixed the NTLDR and NTDETECT problem.

So, if you have XP on your system (is it C: ?), I would reload WIN7. Otherwise, I think you mightl need to reload XP or copy the two files mentioned above to fix it.
Bryan (147)
789655 2009-07-07 01:04:00 I had a similar problem and I think it all depends on what sequence you use. Also, what SP version of XP do you have? I ask this as if you only have SP1 you might be able to use the XP disk to copy the NTLDR and NTDETECT.COM to your HDD. There are other posts on this site that cover that

If XP was on the HDD, I found that loading Win7 afterwards actually fixed the NTLDR and NTDETECT problem.

So, if you have XP on your system (is it C: ?), I would reload WIN7. Otherwise, I think you mightl need to reload XP or copy the two files mentioned above to fix it.

I have SP3 with XP when it was installed.
I installed XP first then 7.
I will try reinstalling 7.
It would be such a shame to have to remove 7!:crying:crying
mathsgood (13356)
789656 2009-07-07 01:42:00 I have SP3 with XP when it was installed.
I installed XP first then 7.
I will try reinstalling 7.
It would be such a shame to have to remove 7!:crying:crying

It may have to come out at any rate if you want to use the finished version. From MS:
The Windows 7 RC will stop working on June 1, 2010. To continue using your PC, please be prepared to reinstall a prior version of Windows or the final released version of Windows 7 before the expiration date.
wainuitech (129)
789657 2009-07-07 03:40:00 WHen you partitioned the XP system drive, it corrupted a few important files.

Just repair or reinstall XP, then install 7 and all should be OK

After you install 7 the boot loader screen should look like this:

Earlier Version of Windows
WIndows 7

Blam
Blam (54)
789658 2009-07-07 04:45:00 WHen you partitioned the XP system drive, it corrupted a few important files.

Just repair or reinstall XP, then install 7 and all should be OK

After you install 7 the boot loader screen should look like this:

Earlier Version of Windows
WIndows 7

Blam
So did you mean after I installed windows 7 it replaced some files?
mathsgood (13356)
789659 2009-07-07 04:47:00 No, but when you partition there are certain "unmovable" files.

When you shrinked the partition it corrupted.overwrote them

I've had it happen with both XP and Vista before, a repair install usually fixes it.

For Vista its the the dreaded "Winload.exe" error

Blam
Blam (54)
789660 2009-07-07 04:47:00 No, but when you partition there are certain "unmovable" files.

When you shrinked the partition it corrupted.overwrote them

I've had it happen with both XP and Vista before, a repair install usually fixes it.

For Vista its the the dreaded "Winload.exe" error

Blam
Blam (54)
789661 2009-07-07 04:58:00 I am going to start all over again (because I messed up the system a bit)
Now if after installing 7 I can't boot to Windows XP I am going to add the entry
Then do a repair install.
Right?
Also, when I add the entry, should it be c: or d:? To Win7 its D: but to WinXP its c:
mathsgood (13356)
789662 2009-07-07 05:04:00 OK steps are as follows:

Install XP. Leave 20gb or more of free space for Windows 7

Install 7 on the free space.

Done.

No need to configure bootloaders, or repair install.

:)
Blam (54)
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