Windows repair function question

[Destroy]

Running dual boot XP and Vista64 on separate hard drives, Fat32 and NTFS respectively.

XP hard drive seems to have gotten corrupt and is comes up with missing system32/config files. I can boot to Vista64 but when at desktop my XP hd is not present, findable or recognizable.

If I boot from my XP install DVD and try a repair, will my Vista64 boot stay intact? I'm guessing that the XP DVD repair process will not recognize that I'm running a new OS in dual boot and mess it up, correct? I do NOT wish to lose my Vista64 install at this time.

[plasmafish]

I believe by default with Windows installs, the last installed OS, overwrites the last installed OS' boot loader.

I usually install Linux last and have Linux's GRUB loader take care of all my multi-boot purposes.

But yeah, don't take any chances and do some more research.

[@md_Guy]

Originally Posted by Destroy

Running dual boot XP and Vista64 on separate hard drives, Fat32 and NTFS respectively.

XP hard drive seems to have gotten corrupt and is comes up with missing system32/config files. I can boot to Vista64 but when at desktop my XP hd is not present, findable or recognizable.

If I boot from my XP install DVD and try a repair, will my Vista64 boot stay intact? I'm guessing that the XP DVD repair process will not recognize that I'm running a new OS in dual boot and mess it up, correct? I do NOT wish to lose my Vista64 install at this time.

Download either EasyBCD or VistaBoot Pro (free edition.. don't pay for newer one). I think .Net is required but you should have it installed anywho..

you can backup you current boot configuration, restore or fix/repair to get back your Vista boot-loader after repair/reinstalling XP

[Destroy]

Meh. After many different things tried, I could not save or repair my XP boot. Something is too far gone in the hard drive, it keeps hanging. So now I'm Vista64 only till I do a major MB/computer upgrade where I'll reformat and reinstall everything.

[ShaidarHaran]

The error message you're receiving indicates a corrupt registry. Try repairing it using these steps.

[Dyre Straits]

Originally Posted by Destroy

Running dual boot XP and Vista64 on separate hard drives, Fat32 and NTFS respectively.

XP hard drive seems to have gotten corrupt and is comes up with missing system32/config files. I can boot to Vista64 but when at desktop my XP hd is not present, findable or recognizable.

If I boot from my XP install DVD and try a repair, will my Vista64 boot stay intact? I'm guessing that the XP DVD repair process will not recognize that I'm running a new OS in dual boot and mess it up, correct? I do NOT wish to lose my Vista64 install at this time.

Avoiding problems with possible corruption of multi-boot systems and loaders is why I simply install each OS on a separate HDD without any other HDDs connected. This way, if I want to boot into XP, I simply go to BIOS and change my boot disk. Same if I want to go to Vista or W7. Each OS is on its own HDD. With HDDs being so cheap these days, for me, anyway, it's worth it to just have separate physical HDDs to work with.

Good luck on your situation!

[Destroy]

Originally Posted by Dyre Straits

Avoiding problems with possible corruption of multi-boot systems and loaders is why I simply install each OS on a separate HDD without any other HDDs connected. This way, if I want to boot into XP, I simply go to BIOS and change my boot disk. Same if I want to go to Vista or W7. Each OS is on its own HDD. With HDDs being so cheap these days, for me, anyway, it's worth it to just have separate physical HDDs to work with.

Good luck on your situation!

That's a good way of doing things. I will try this on my next system refresh.