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Thread ID: 101021 2009-06-29 05:03:00 Dual boot system... ahd8888 (184) Press F1
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786920 2009-06-29 06:47:00 First backup your data.

Next download GParted (http://gparted.sourceforge.net/) and burn it to a CD. Boot from that CD. Just accept the default settings.

Then delete the first partition (it should be drive C: in Windows) and extend the other partition to fill the space.

Lastly boot from your XP CD, and proceed as if installing a new copy (F8 to accept licence, etc.). When it says that it has found a version of Windows, it will offer to repair it - do so. If you get to the part where it wants to format, you'll have to do a clean install.

Then all should be fine. :)
pcuser42 (130)
786921 2009-06-29 08:24:00 pcuserwinvista's method is the way to go, delete the partition in gparted and extend.

If you can, I highly suggest you backup your data, make an image of the partition if you can, as partition the drive is known to cause possible system corruption.

Also, you may not necessarily need to perform a repair install after you partition the drives.

You should just be able boot from your XP CD and perform a boocfg /rebuild, here are instructions on RC:

# Insert the Windows XP CD into your CD drive and restart your computer. If you are prompted, select any options required to start (boot) from the CD.
# When the text-based part of Setup begins, follow the prompts. Select the repair or recover option by pressing R.
# If you have a dual-boot or multiboot system, select the installation that you want to access from the Recovery Console.
# When you are prompted, type the Administrator password.

Once you're at the command prompt type bootcfg /rebuild to start the rebuild process.

When it prompts for the properly identified systems, type Y and hit enter

It'll then ask you to type a load identifier. This is the name of the operating system for the boot.ini. For example, Microsoft Windows XP Home users would enter "Microsoft Windows XP Home edition".

It'll then ask you to enter OS load options. When this prompt is received type /fastdetect to automatically detect the available options

If you do not have a XP CD handy, you can use this, which is RC on a CD:
www.thecomputerparamedic.com

Cheers
Blam
Blam (54)
786922 2009-06-30 00:00:00 Hi Blam6.

Will your method of bootcfg /rebuild also correct a ntldr problem?
Bryan (147)
786923 2009-06-30 00:55:00 Should do:)

Usually you don't need to even type it into command prompt, startup repair should fix it. But if its doesn't you'll need to run the commands in manually

bootrec /fixboot, bootrec /fixmbr and boocfg /rebuild

Blam
Blam (54)
786924 2009-06-30 02:23:00 Thanks Blam6.

I have followed your instructions and need to report that the ntldr did not update.
Bryan (147)
786925 2009-06-30 02:57:00 What is the error on boot.

NLTDR is missing?
Blam (54)
786926 2009-06-30 03:27:00 NTLDR is the wrong one. I've updated a little while ago to SP3 and I think that the original disk has an older version so won't update using the usual method of using R and then copying i386\ntldr c:\.

I've decided that it isn't that important as I am running Vista and have almost made my mind up to go to Win 7 when it is released but it would be nice to know how to!
Bryan (147)
786927 2009-06-30 03:28:00 Not sure then..google is your friend;) Blam (54)
786928 2009-06-30 06:56:00 The easiest way is to install *nix and then Windows after. Just make sure you leave enough space for Windows when you do the initial install. GingerBeard (15016)
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