Vista - Cannot access windows xp

I installed windows Vista Beta 2 and now when I get the boot menu, if I
choose "Earlier version of windows" my computer will remain in a black screen
and windows xp never starts. is there a way to make it start again?
I've tried using the windows vista dvds which are bootable but nothing
happens. thank you

You have to repair XP with your XP cd. You need to run the recovery console
and use fixmbr and fixboot. VistaBoot Pro can also do the repair from
inside Vista.

"dhw87" <dhw87@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:F65CA83F-BF4A-481A-B94E-3DE207C2F138@microsoft.com...
>I installed windows Vista Beta 2 and now when I get the boot menu, if I
> choose "Earlier version of windows" my computer will remain in a black
> screen
> and windows xp never starts. is there a way to make it start again?
> I've tried using the windows vista dvds which are bootable but nothing
> happens. thank you

If you installed Vista 32-bit as an upgrade or clean installation into the
same partition as Windows XP it is no longer available because it's been
overwritten by Vista. If you installed Vista in a separate partition,
Windows XP should be available as an earlier edition. This is all explained
in the "Getting started" files. The confusing part is that there is an
"earlier edidion" listing even if an earlier edition isn't available.


"dhw87" <dhw87@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:F65CA83F-BF4A-481A-B94E-3DE207C2F138@microsoft.com...
>I installed windows Vista Beta 2 and now when I get the boot menu, if I
> choose "Earlier version of windows" my computer will remain in a black
> screen
> and windows xp never starts. is there a way to make it start again?
> I've tried using the windows vista dvds which are bootable but nothing
> happens. thank you

Hi!

Where can I see exactly the "Getting started" files?

Thanks! Roger

"Dennis Pack x64, v64B2 (5384), OPP2007B2" <dennispack@nospamhotmail.com>
wrote in message news:4C1BDC0B-9E9D-478A-9E8D-3E94C3EA45F3@microsoft.com...
> If you installed Vista 32-bit as an upgrade or clean installation into the
> same partition as Windows XP it is no longer available because it's been
> overwritten by Vista. If you installed Vista in a separate partition,
> Windows XP should be available as an earlier edition. This is all
> explained in the "Getting started" files. The confusing part is that there
> is an "earlier edidion" listing even if an earlier edition isn't
> available.
>

Roger:
Sorry for the confusion. I used the wrong name from memory. The proper name
is “GetReady�, at
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvist...y/default.mspx followed by
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvist...y/preview.mspx , under
“Installation limitations�.


"rogerlebo" <a@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:8244861A-D08F-4626-BC3F-70A468900FC9@microsoft.com...
> Hi!
>
> Where can I see exactly the "Getting started" files?
>
> Thanks! Roger
>
> "Dennis Pack x64, v64B2 (5384), OPP2007B2" <dennispack@nospamhotmail.com>
> wrote in message
> news:4C1BDC0B-9E9D-478A-9E8D-3E94C3EA45F3@microsoft.com...
>> If you installed Vista 32-bit as an upgrade or clean installation into
>> the same partition as Windows XP it is no longer available because it's
>> been overwritten by Vista. If you installed Vista in a separate
>> partition, Windows XP should be available as an earlier edition. This is
>> all explained in the "Getting started" files. The confusing part is that
>> there is an "earlier edidion" listing even if an earlier edition isn't
>> available.
>>
>

How did you install? What is your drive setup. Please do not use letters,
use Disk (0,1 etc.) and Partition (1,2,etc) . State which are your system
and boot partitions. Get the info from Computer Management/Disk Management

"dhw87" <dhw87@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:F65CA83F-BF4A-481A-B94E-3DE207C2F138@microsoft.com...
>I installed windows Vista Beta 2 and now when I get the boot menu, if I
> choose "Earlier version of windows" my computer will remain in a black
> screen
> and windows xp never starts. is there a way to make it start again?
> I've tried using the windows vista dvds which are bootable but nothing
> happens. thank you

Exercising the Dual-Boot Option with Windows Vista by Nick White Vista
Launch Team

http://blogs.technet.com/windowsvist...25/443428.aspx

I'd first just do a quick repair install on the XP boot if the F8 options
don't work and you have an XP CD with a product key for it--takes 35 minutes
of the world's longest and most one dimensional boring XP setup commercial.

1) Try 3 safe modes and last known good if you can get to them for the XP
install. If this is complicated by the dual boot and the damaged bootloader
then:
You can boot from an XP CD if you have a retail or OEM bootable (rarely
shipped) XP CD by putting the CD first in the bios setup boot order and then
following the simple steps for a repair install of XP.

From MVP Doug Knox:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...ps/doug92.mspx

From MSFT:
Method 2: Reinstall Windows XP by starting your computer from the Windows XP
CD
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/3153...22120121120120

Philosophy behind that is discussed in Chap. 28 of the Win XP Resource Kit
on line @ MSFT site or in

Resources for troubleshooting startup problems in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default...&Product=winxp

Then just type diskmgmt.msc in the run box and right click the drive/volume
where Vista is parked and format the previous build.
--------------------

2) You can follow these steps:

Reboot and Boot to your XP CD-ROM
1. Start the Recovery Console Screen shots are in link below and just sub XP
anytime Win 2K has been printed on that blue screen in the shots.

http://www.windowsnetworking.com/j_helmig/wxprcons.htm
2. Run Fixboot
3. Run fixmbr to reset the master boot record
4. Exit the Recovery Console
5. Reboot
6. To remove the extra entry, edit the boot.ini file to remove the
"Microsoft Windows Longhorn" entry.
7. Format Your Vista Partition

--------------------------

3) You can try to repair using either of these which will probably be
successful and then simply format

Download Easy BCD from this link: (Click Download Link)
http://neosmart.net/forums/index.php?gettopic=81

Download Vista Boot Pro 2.0 from this link:
http://www.pro-networks.org/vistabootpro/intro.php

Goodl luck,

CH


"dhw87" <dhw87@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:F65CA83F-BF4A-481A-B94E-3DE207C2F138@microsoft.com...
>I installed windows Vista Beta 2 and now when I get the boot menu, if I
> choose "Earlier version of windows" my computer will remain in a black
> screen
> and windows xp never starts. is there a way to make it start again?
> I've tried using the windows vista dvds which are bootable but nothing
> happens. thank you