liorde
asked on
Boot up options all messed up.
Hello,
My system spec:
Win98se - partition C:\
WinXP Pro - partition D:\
2 Physical drives
This used to be my nice & working config until I had to reinstall Win98se due to virus, now the XP option is lost. No dual boot whatsoever.
Since I posted a question here regarding this matter, I tried to implement the solution suggested but it has not helped. In fact, the results were in inaccessible Win98se, 3 options now appear in the boot up sequence, the first is blank(funny but it loads WinXp normally), the second is WinXP Pro - hangs (freezes)the PC, the 3rd- Win98se which results in "Invalid system disk" error.
What I did to get this status is use the following commands from the WinXp recovery console, in this order:
1. fixmbr
2. fixboot
3. bootcfg /rebuild
That is all.
I hope I was clear in my problem description.
Please tell me if there is an option to restore things as they were. i.e. Win98se on C: WinXp Pro on D: and only 2 boot options as it should be.
Thank-you!
My system spec:
Win98se - partition C:\
WinXP Pro - partition D:\
2 Physical drives
This used to be my nice & working config until I had to reinstall Win98se due to virus, now the XP option is lost. No dual boot whatsoever.
Since I posted a question here regarding this matter, I tried to implement the solution suggested but it has not helped. In fact, the results were in inaccessible Win98se, 3 options now appear in the boot up sequence, the first is blank(funny but it loads WinXp normally), the second is WinXP Pro - hangs (freezes)the PC, the 3rd- Win98se which results in "Invalid system disk" error.
What I did to get this status is use the following commands from the WinXp recovery console, in this order:
1. fixmbr
2. fixboot
3. bootcfg /rebuild
That is all.
I hope I was clear in my problem description.
Please tell me if there is an option to restore things as they were. i.e. Win98se on C: WinXp Pro on D: and only 2 boot options as it should be.
Thank-you!
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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Windows XP Does Not Start on a Computer That is Configured For Dual Booting
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315233&Product=winxp
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315233&Product=winxp
ASKER
Thank-you all for the replies.
I suspect that the solution I need is a bit more simple that the solutions suggested.
I do not need to install anything actually, since both OS's are already installed and working properly. This was true until I messed up something when I fooled around with the following:
fixmbr, fixboot and bootcfg commands...
Now, I have 3 options in the boot sequence, like I described above.
Win98se is physically installed on part. C:\
WinXPpro is physically installed on part. D:\
These are 2 seperate HDD's.
There must be something I can do with fixboot, fixmbr etc... that can fix my error, but *I* do not have the knowledge for it.
It is only a matter of configuration since both OS's did not loose any data what so ever or become corrupted in any way.
Please advise.
I suspect that the solution I need is a bit more simple that the solutions suggested.
I do not need to install anything actually, since both OS's are already installed and working properly. This was true until I messed up something when I fooled around with the following:
fixmbr, fixboot and bootcfg commands...
Now, I have 3 options in the boot sequence, like I described above.
Win98se is physically installed on part. C:\
WinXPpro is physically installed on part. D:\
These are 2 seperate HDD's.
There must be something I can do with fixboot, fixmbr etc... that can fix my error, but *I* do not have the knowledge for it.
It is only a matter of configuration since both OS's did not loose any data what so ever or become corrupted in any way.
Please advise.
ASKER
By the way...
What are the master boot records of a HDD?
Are they specific for the entire HDD? Or are they specific for each partition in the HDD?
Also, is the MBR a file that I can see in the drive using an explorer in Windows or through DOS shell?
What is the bootsect.dos file under my C: partition?
Thanks again.
What are the master boot records of a HDD?
Are they specific for the entire HDD? Or are they specific for each partition in the HDD?
Also, is the MBR a file that I can see in the drive using an explorer in Windows or through DOS shell?
What is the bootsect.dos file under my C: partition?
Thanks again.
Please play close attention to my second post. I believe this will fix your problem with Win98 not booting.
SOLUTION
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>>>What is the bootsect.dos file under my C: partition?
It is the image of the Win98 boot sector. I believe at this point that image needs to be rebuilt. Hence the reason why I posted what did in my last post.
It is the image of the Win98 boot sector. I believe at this point that image needs to be rebuilt. Hence the reason why I posted what did in my last post.
ASKER
Hello CrazyOne,
I read the second post. The pre-condition for WinXP is that it resides on Part. C:\. But in my case WinXp resides on D:\.
Is it still relevant what you posted?
Also, what are the master boot records of a HDD?
Are they specific for the entire HDD? Or are they specific for each partition in the HDD?
Also, is the MBR a file that I can see in the drive using an explorer in Windows or through DOS shell?
Thanks again.
I read the second post. The pre-condition for WinXP is that it resides on Part. C:\. But in my case WinXp resides on D:\.
Is it still relevant what you posted?
Also, what are the master boot records of a HDD?
Are they specific for the entire HDD? Or are they specific for each partition in the HDD?
Also, is the MBR a file that I can see in the drive using an explorer in Windows or through DOS shell?
Thanks again.
Please I implore you to do what I have posted before we get into the dynamacs of boot sectors. At this point it doesn't reaally matter one way or another, the solution to your situation has been posted. :)
hey liorde,
You should do as CrazyOne suggests if you need your dual-boot options back anytime soon. :)
The questions you ask need to be answered as a long tutorial, hundreds of which are already available on the web.
Peace,
Ali.
You should do as CrazyOne suggests if you need your dual-boot options back anytime soon. :)
The questions you ask need to be answered as a long tutorial, hundreds of which are already available on the web.
Peace,
Ali.
ASKER
Thank-you for the tips Ali.
ASKER
CrazyOne hello,
I did what you suggested. You trully know much about nuts & bolts of computers.
Thank-you for your replies so far.
I have one small cosmetic issue left.
In the boot options I have 3 options, dont know where that came from:
Windows XP Professional
Windows 98
Windows(Default)
For some reason, the 1st option, which is suppose to be the option that works for WinXP, results in a non bootable option. Only the other 2 work where the Windows Default is WinXP. How can I fix this to see only 2 options please?
This is my boot.ini file:
[boot loader]
timeout=15
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdi
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(2)par
C:\="Microsoft Windows 98"
Thanks again.
I did what you suggested. You trully know much about nuts & bolts of computers.
Thank-you for your replies so far.
I have one small cosmetic issue left.
In the boot options I have 3 options, dont know where that came from:
Windows XP Professional
Windows 98
Windows(Default)
For some reason, the 1st option, which is suppose to be the option that works for WinXP, results in a non bootable option. Only the other 2 work where the Windows Default is WinXP. How can I fix this to see only 2 options please?
This is my boot.ini file:
[boot loader]
timeout=15
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdi
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(2)par
C:\="Microsoft Windows 98"
Thanks again.
Please show us the line in the boot.ini for the "Windows(Default)"
ASKER
Hagain.
I pasted the entire content of the boot.ini file to the message above.
I can't figure out how and what to make out of the file's content.
I pasted the entire content of the boot.ini file to the message above.
I can't figure out how and what to make out of the file's content.
Well according to what you said there should be 3 lines but what you posted only has two lines under the [operating systems] heading. It is missing the Windows(Default) line.
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(2)par
C:\="Microsoft Windows 98"
However change this rdisk(2) to this rdisk(1)
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(2)par
C:\="Microsoft Windows 98"
However change this rdisk(2) to this rdisk(1)
ASKER
What can I say CrazyOne...
A true master at his work!
Thank-you for the support all along.
A true master at his work!
Thank-you for the support all along.
:)
Install Win98 after XP
http://www.petri.co.il/install_win98_after_xp.htm