issues trying to start Setup Partitions

[1COMPWin7]

hi there,

i am trying to boot from one of my Setup Partitions. i am trying to boot from a partition containing Windows Xp 64-bit Install Files and later a partition with Windows 7 Install Files. i have deleted all the Setup Partitions except the Windows Xp one which is being a Bi*ch and won't allow me to delete it.

these are the steps i have done to try and boot

1. Created ISO Image Windows Xp and downloaded Windows 7 build 7100
2. In Disk Management Shrink 2 Volumes on main HDD with OS (Vista) 1 being Setup Files Shrink to 700MB and OS shrink too 7GB
3. Opened cmd and input diskpart, list volume, select volume y (Setup Xp), active, exit, then xcopy... Etc.

when i rebooted i would get a bootmgr missing error and thus using my Windows Vista disc to repair. i have be doing something wrong here as i am still new to this dual booting stuff.

yes, i am trying to triple boot. Vista, Xp and Windows 7. i do know to install Xp first then Windows 7 last or does it matter?

 

[rive0108]

You have to fix the boot-XP overwrites Vista /Win 7. use three Partitions/HDD's
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/163304-dual-boot-using-free-partitioning-software.html

 

[1COMPWin7]

from what i am reading whatever drive is farthest to the left will Boot first?

 

[SIW2]

Hi,

It depends which is the System partition. If you had XP installed first that will probably be the System partition (unless you have changed it deliberately).

Post a screenshot of Disk Management like this:



and of bcdedit, like this:

 

[1COMPWin7]

Vista is my main OS and i haven't installed Xp yet. that's what i'm trying to do. i am trying to boot from a Partition with the Setup Files in it.

 

[rive0108]

Vista is my msin OS and i haven't installed Xp yet. that's what i'm trying to do. i am trying to boot from a Partition with the Setup Files in it.

Ok.
When you install XP it will require the Boot files be restored to the Vista/7 partition. The walkthrough will explainvhow to do it. [note the red text]

 

[1COMPWin7]

ok, i know all that but how do i boot from the partition to install Xp?

 

[rive0108]

ok, i know all that but how do i boot from the partition to install Xp?

You create the Partition with paragon bootable partitioner, then restart, then place XP in, restart, and follow prompts to install. then you boot back into the Vista disk RE, and perform startup repair twice.

 

[1COMPWin7]

couldn't i just use easybcd for that to repair?

 

[1COMPWin7]

ok, tried booting from the partition with the Xp 64 Setup Files and it failed. bringing up Bootmgr missing. is this because the setup is re-writting the bootloader or what? i had to repair with the Vista Disc two times (also the Setup Files partition is set as System?!?!?!). i set the partition to active so i thought it would boot but it didn't. if this doesn't work then i'll just use from the CD. i just wanted to try from a partition cause it is faster. i know i did it while installing Windows 7 but it worked but probably because Windows 7 and Vista use the same Boot method.

 

[SIW2]

Hi,

When you install XP, it will overwrite the Vista mbr,bootsector and bootfiles.

You could boot from the Vista dvd and use bootsect.exe and bcdedit from the command prompt to fix it.

Or, you could install Easybcd and .Net 2.0 framework on XP and use that.

Installing XP After Vista - NeoSmart Technologies Wiki

 

[1COMPWin7]

no, i meant the partition wouldn't even boot at all. brought up bootmgr missing. so even trying to install Xp without the Setup screen coming up this will happen? this is awfully strange to me.

 

[SIW2]

What exactly do you mean "booting from the partition with the XP setup files".

Do you have a setup.exe file among the XP installation files?

 

[1COMPWin7]

What exactly do you mean "booting from the partition with the XP setup files".

Do you have a setup.exe file among the XP installation files?

yes, i have a Xp 64 CD. all i did was created a ISO Image of the Disc with ImageBurn. i used Diskpart from cmd to exract the Files from the ISO to the 700MB Partition.

as i said before the partition will not boot! everytime i have tried, it brings up bootmgr missing.

Edit: yes, there is a Setup.exe in the partition.

 

[SIW2]

Your HD is already bootable - you can boot into Vista.

Mark the Vista partition Active - you will need that to be the Active partition, or it will get messy.

Download and install the free Daemon Tools Lite. Mount the XP .iso - run XP setup from the virtual drive.

Downloads :: DAEMON-Tools.cc


When XP asks where you want to install it, point it to the partition you created to install it onto.

When it is installed, you will only be able to boot into XP - follow the instructions at this link to get the ability to boot into Vista.

Installing XP After Vista - NeoSmart Technologies Wiki

 

[SIW2]

FYI - you got the bootmgr is missing message because the Program Loader ( the first bit of code to run during the boot process- it is on the first track of the HD) - will only look at the active partition - where bootmgr ought to be.

Since you marked a different partition as active , bootmgr was not there - (it is still on Vista partition) - hence the bootmr is missing message - which means bootmgr is not on the partition that is currently marked active.

 

[1COMPWin7]

aww... ok and thanks for the quick tip. i should of known to do this earlier. thanks for the help man. thanks also for your time in trying to help.