Boot dual XP/Vista problem Installing and Upgrading Vista Discuss Boot dual XP/Vista problem in the Windows Vista forums; My laptop came with Vista preinstalled. I have no Vista CD, except for a recovery CD. I wanted to install a dual-boot to use Windows XP as well. My ...

[julien2]

My laptop came with Vista preinstalled. I have no Vista CD, except for a recovery CD.

I wanted to install a dual-boot to use Windows XP as well.

My partitions were C: with Vista installed on it, D: with random data on it and E: being my CD/DVD reader. I created a new partition labelled F: using the integrated partition manager within Vista.

I then booted my computer with a Windows XP installation CD. I ran the installation normally (select a partition, then the installation program formats F - or so I thought). At that point, the installation program is supposed to reboot the computer and continue installation.

That's where it get complicated

No Vista boot, no XP installation program.

And my CD reader does not seem to work anymore. I cant boot from a CD...



I believe there was a messup with the partition labels...

What should I do !?!?!?

I include a drawing I made of what my screen looks like when I turn the computer on. This is the first and only thing I get...

[crabby]

Well... can you get into your bios?

You see if your laptop doesn't get past POST then you may have an issue installing anything

Press delete/f10 to see if you can get into your bios... and if you can't I would suggest returning it as it is new.

crabby

PS: Welcome by the way, even though it's under terrible circumstances.

[julien2]

I Cant enter the bios.

I have tried every F key and the delete key as well. The laptop is not that new (bought in March). It used to work fine....until I tried installing a dual boot

[crabby]

That is very not good... your bios boots before windows does... and doesnt even load your hard drives until later on in the process... sounds like a RAM or CPU issue if you can't get to post.

You haven't overclocked have you?

Ask your manufacturer if there are jumpers that reset the CMOS... otherwise you are going to have to take it back... it's still in warranty

crabby

[julien2]

I have not overclocked it.

I will ask the manufacturer about jumpers...or I will resend the machine

[julien2]

I actually found a way to enter BIOS:

Now I have this

AMIBIOS (copyright) American Megatrends, INC.
BIOS Date: 01/12/07 Ver: G1AS.208
CPU: Intel (R) Core (TM) 2 CPU T7200 @ 2.00 GHz

Press F2 to run setup
Press ESC to for BBS POPUP
The MCH is operating with DDR2 667/CL5 in Dual-Channel Interleaved Mode
Initializing USB Controllers.. Done.
2048 MB OK

Auto-Detecting Pri Maser..IDE Hard Disk
Auto-Detecting Sec Master..ATAPI CDROM
Pri Master: Hitachi HTS541616J9SA00 SB40C70P
Ultra DMA Mode-5, S.M.A.R.T Capable and Status OK




I have pressed F2, yet nothing happens.

Any help !?!
Thanks very much !!

[crabby]

that screen is the POST... f2 would send you to the bios setup screen.

As you can't get there, I still think you have a major issue.

To be honest it sounds like heat damage to either RAM or processor.

They will probably replace those and it may be fine.

crabby

[Snuffy]

On dual booting, XP has to be first, and Vista 2nd boot. REASON is that BCD conflicts with boot.ini.
It is rather hard to change F: to C: when Vista would boot, and then change c: to D:
THAT is why you lost ability to boot...
1. If XP = C:
2. IF Vista = D:
then really easy to swap C & D. which Vista does on Dual Boot..

Sorry but look like you will have to CLEAN INSTALL Vista back... and read the VERY PRECISE METHOD OF DUAL BOOT when Vista is #1 and XP is #2...

[crabby]

Originally Posted by Snuffy

On dual booting, XP has to be first, and Vista 2nd boot. REASON is that BCD conflicts with boot.ini.
It is rather hard to change F: to C: when Vista would boot, and then change c: to D:
THAT is why you lost ability to boot...
1. If XP = C:
2. IF Vista = D:
then really easy to swap C & D. which Vista does on Dual Boot..

Sorry but look like you will have to CLEAN INSTALL Vista back... and read the VERY PRECISE METHOD OF DUAL BOOT when Vista is #1 and XP is #2...

Snuffy, he can't get past POST, so can't boot to any hard drive or cd rom drive. He can't even get to his BIOS.

What do you think the issue is?

I have seen this with heat damage to RAM. I know it can happen with CPUs as well.

crabby

[Snuffy]

When he installed XP as #2 OS he created a boot.ini and Vista and XP need to change Drive letters... and since XP is not on the PRIMARY BOOT hd. HE lost everything...
the task to install XP and Vista is THEY MUST BE ON DRIVE C AND D. So that they can switch drive letters...
1. XP install on C:\ as primary OS then install Vista on D:\ as dual boot OS
when you boot to Vista D: becomes C:\ and C:\ becomes D:\
or put both partitions on the same HD... but make sure Vista is on D:\ easy to change