Boot your XP CD into the recovery console, then try fixboot and fixmbr. Check if you can the boot XP again. If it works, and if you now don't have the option to select to boot into vista, start the PC with the Vista DVD after that, and let it run the repair option. That should reinstall the the Vista boot loader.

Vista Boot just fine. The menu for Previous version of windows brings up the XP options but they do not work.

Then try to fix as Rindi suggest above. If still not work, you might have to do XP repair installation.

I did not want to try the solution mentioned over fear that I would not be able to boot to either system when done.

I was hoping for some more troubleshooting steps to find out what is wrong before messing with the mbr and Bootloader

If you still see the XP on boot option, there is a chance.

Boot system into Vista, go Control Panel > User Accounts > then turn off User Account Control, and reboot system.

When system boot into Vista again, from START > RUN > type cmd
Then, follow exactly steps below:
bcdedit -set {ntldr} device partition C:    ------ hit enter key
bcdedit -set {ntldr} path \ntldr ---- hit enter key
bcdedit -displayorder {ntldr} -addlast    ------ hit enter key
bcdedit -set {ntldr} description "Microsoft Windows XP"    ---- hit enter key

Restart system.
Now, try again the XP.

I will back up what I have and then try those commands.

One question first. Under Vista the C drive is Vista and the D drive is XP.

Under XP it is swapped.

bcdedit -set {ntldr} device partition C: >>>>> Is this for the Vista Drive or the XP drive, Should it be D?

Have to be C.

Thanks,

Steve

After I run the commands is it OK to reset the Account Control?

Steve

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6001]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation.  All rights reserved.

C:\Users\SteveUrich>bcdedit -set {ntldr} device partition C
The device is not valid as specified.
Run "bcdedit /?" for command line assistance.

What should it be?

Does Vista have a Start-> Run???

C:\Users\SteveUrich>bcdedit -set {ntldr} device partition C:
You forgot the ":" after C.

Try the first.

More infor:
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/23410142/Dual-Boot.html

C:\Users\SteveUrich>bcdedit -set {ntldr} device partition C:
The device is not valid as specified.
Run "bcdedit /?" for command line assistance.

I cut and pasted it directly. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Steve

Per your other note, the first command should be:

bcdedit -set {ntldr} device partition=C:

The above response is missing the "=" sign

Steve

You should do those commands with user account control turned off.

I did run the commands wth Account Control turned off.

I got them to run, rebooted and then still have the same problem.

Boot menu counts down and then just hangs.

It gets to the boot.ini reads the menu obviously and then I assume goes to ntldr and NTdetect. It does not error out about not being able to find them. What else could cause this behavior?

I appreciate you staying with this issue.

I assume that I do not need to do a Fixmbr as I get to the boot.ini menu.

Thanks,

Steve

I finally determined the problem was related to Vista changes to the system that affected how the drivers were loaded.

The L7780 All in 1 printer was the problem. HP gave me a fix for the Bios that allowed it to boot XP. The fix was one originally developed for Notebooks.

Glad to know you have problem resolved :o)
Thanks for the points and good grade given.