Vista - Dual-Boot Vista64 XP Pro 32 XP won't load

I have been searching for the answer. So far, according to all the answers I have read I should not have a problem.

Partitioned Drive to C: and D:
C: has Vista 64 installed
D: partition has XP Pro SP3 installed clean from Windows XP SP3 disc

Bootloader operates normally, gives these choices

Vista
XP Professional

VISTA loads just fine
XP begins to load and says something about /ntldr not working correctly

I have the BOOT.INI on drive C: so it will boot (along with NTDetect.com and ntldr)

BOOT.INI text is as follows:
;
;Warning: Boot.ini is used on Windows XP and earlier operating systems.
;Warning: Use BCDEDIT.exe to modify Windows Vista boot options.
;
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /NOEXECUTE=OPTIN /FASTDETECT


I tried changing the partition value to (1) but then XP starts (shows the XP logo and begins to load) then bonks out and says something about toskernel (pardon, going from memory on that one)

EasyBCD shows this on the View Settings box

There are a total of 2 entries listed in the Vista Bootloader.
Bootloader Timeout: 20 seconds.
Default OS: Microsoft Windows Vista
Entry #1
Name: Microsoft Windows Vista
BCD ID: {current}
Drive: C:\
Bootloader Path: \Windows\system32\winload.exe
Windows Directory: \Windows
Entry #2
Name: Microsoft Windows XP
BCD ID: {ntldr}
Drive: C:\
Bootloader Path: \ntldr

What am I missing?

I keep reading something about "Pointing the boot.ini file to the XP partition" but I think it is already there?

Right click on computer, manage, disk management shows the drives as such:
( C: )
688.87 GB NTFS
Healthy (System, Boot, Page File, Active, Crash Dump, Primary Partition)
Microsoft Windows XP ( D: )
9.77 GB NTFS
Healthy (Primary Partition)

Any help would be grand.

Download, install and configure VistaBootPro:
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/fil...scription.html


"GMiTD" <guest@xxxxxx-email.com> wrote in message
news:81e248b61f6f20c0c9d3b3a7ff0ff212@xxxxxx-gateway.com...

I just jacked something up. I didn't see a warning about this...
In Vista I right clicked on the XP partition on the drive and selected "Make active"
What could that hurt, right?
Cannot find BOOTMGR. I now have an expensive paperweight.

I'm going to start over AGAIN. Since I only have a Vista "Recovery Disc" it only reinstalls the entire OS and wipes everything clean. The repair installation options are not on the disc.

This is the 3rd attempt at this and the 2nd complete reinstall of Vista 64. My wife wants me to take the computer back as it is taking too much time and won't run ANYTHING as no manufacturer makes 64 bit Vista drivers which makes the OS OBSOLETE from the get-go. This really stinks and is a big waste of time. IF I can get XP to run I'm not ever changing back over.

I'm not sure where you are getting that no one makes drivers for 64 bit
Vista. I have two desktops I've built myself with Ultimate 64 bit and a
Sager 9262 laptop with Ultimate 64 bit and I've found drivers for all
hardware installed on these computers. One of the desktops I have Xp Pro and
Vista dual boot config and the laptop also has XP Pro with Vista , dual
boot. To get the laptop to work correctly I had to install XP Pro first
then Vista, for your dual-boot problem if you want it to go smooth you need
to start with XP installed then install Vista, but since you seem to be
using an OEM restore disk for Vista you can't do that. I had no luck
getting a dual boot setup the way you are trying to do it, though someone
else might be able to help I had no luck with VistaBootPro or EasyBCD with
making an existing Vista with XP Pro added later install work for some
reason.


"GMiTD" <guest@xxxxxx-email.com> wrote in message
news:81e248b61f6f20c0c9d3b3a7ff0ff212@xxxxxx-gateway.com...

Hi,

D/l Gparted live cd ( free) burn to cd with iso burner ( do not format cd - if autoplay pops up, just close it).

SourceForge.net: GParted: Downloading ...

http://www.ntfs.com/downloads/Iso-burner.zip

Boot in Gparted ( it stops a couple of times asking what keyboard and language - just press Enter - the defaults are fine ).

Set the correct partition to Active - right click and select Flag on - drive should now say boot next to it.

When done, remove cd of course, Restart - you're good.

You may also like to d/l and burn this in the same way - it has all the system recovery options for future use

Download: Windows Vista x64 Recovery Disc &#x2014; The NeoSmart Files

System Recovery Options

Hope it helps

SIW2

On Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:07:46 -0600, GMiTD <guest@xxxxxx-email.com>
wrote:
If you're only interested in running XP, why are you bothering to
restore Vista on the hard drive?

I don't want to completely get rid of Vista until 7 comes out and is semi-stable.
Which means at least a year.

OK LAST QUESTION. I got it working fine now, but I want to use some of the same programs (Office 2007 for instance). I know I have to install the programs twice, but can I install them both to the SAME partition and not confuse the program? (I only alotted 10GB for XP OS but it wants to install every program there by default) Are there some applications that must be in the same partition or can I put every install on C: even tho XP OS is on H:?