jimihendrix272
asked on
Can't view Documents and settings from another partition or dual boot Vista and XP
I have a laptop that came with Vista preinstalled in C:. I added another partition and installed XP, which installed itself in C:, and put Vista in E:. I used VistaBootPRO to change Vista's boot drive to C: and all the things you are meant to try to make a dual boot system work, but can't get Vista to load up, I think it doesn't like to be drive E:. This is displayed in VistaBootPRO:
Entry 1
--------------------------
Name: Microsoft Windows Vista
BCD ID: {default}
Boot Drive: C:
Windows Drive: E:
System Bootloader: \Windows\system32\winload.
Windows Directory: \Windows
When I boot into Vista it tries to mend itself but it 'can't find the OS loader'. It goes through the same motions when I try to "Repair" Vista from the Vista CD. It wont change the Windows drive to C: unless I do a clean VIsta install (I guess).
That would mean losing my stuff in Vista.
Mostly I would like to get to the files in 'Documents and settings' but from XP Windows Explorer that directory is 'Access Denied' (and it's hidden). Other files in 'users' are there, but many are just missing from view from the other partition.
Is there way of making Vista boot? (Change the Windows drive?). Can I view/copy my files?
Entry 1
--------------------------
Name: Microsoft Windows Vista
BCD ID: {default}
Boot Drive: C:
Windows Drive: E:
System Bootloader: \Windows\system32\winload.
Windows Directory: \Windows
When I boot into Vista it tries to mend itself but it 'can't find the OS loader'. It goes through the same motions when I try to "Repair" Vista from the Vista CD. It wont change the Windows drive to C: unless I do a clean VIsta install (I guess).
That would mean losing my stuff in Vista.
Mostly I would like to get to the files in 'Documents and settings' but from XP Windows Explorer that directory is 'Access Denied' (and it's hidden). Other files in 'users' are there, but many are just missing from view from the other partition.
Is there way of making Vista boot? (Change the Windows drive?). Can I view/copy my files?
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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ASKER
It's done! Thanks Vallis.
I went over what I have done so far (this has taken 2 weeks to solve!) and looked at the help forum at VistaBootPro and this answer from:
Grav!ty
(Graham Massey)
Vice President
Operations
After booting in Vista DVD, go to CMD prompt in the repair section.
Type:
Bootrec.exe /RebuildBCD
If, as in my case, you get '0' Vista systems found, type:
bcdedit /export C:\bcd_backup
C:
CD boot
attrib bcd -s -h -r
ren bcd bcd.old
bootrec /Rebuildbcd
Magic, Vista boots normally!
To get the dual boot to work again, use VistaBootPro to add 'OS entry'
I went over what I have done so far (this has taken 2 weeks to solve!) and looked at the help forum at VistaBootPro and this answer from:
Grav!ty
(Graham Massey)
Vice President
Operations
After booting in Vista DVD, go to CMD prompt in the repair section.
Type:
Bootrec.exe /RebuildBCD
If, as in my case, you get '0' Vista systems found, type:
bcdedit /export C:\bcd_backup
C:
CD boot
attrib bcd -s -h -r
ren bcd bcd.old
bootrec /Rebuildbcd
Magic, Vista boots normally!
To get the dual boot to work again, use VistaBootPro to add 'OS entry'
Thank you jimihendrix,
That's useful information for me too.
You didn't have to award the points, but it helps to make up for the times I've been robbed. :o)
Good that you're in business again.
That's useful information for me too.
You didn't have to award the points, but it helps to make up for the times I've been robbed. :o)
Good that you're in business again.
ASKER
VistaBootPRO or the R section on the Vista DVD just doesn't repair the problem.