Getting Bootloader Updated: New Drive Installing and Upgrading Vista Discuss Getting Bootloader Updated: New Drive in the Windows Vista forums; Hi Gang: I am using my substitute new Gateway--waiting for the real one (See post # 15 here: http://www.vistababble.com/forums/vi...t-company.html .). Anyway, it has ...

[Znod]

Hi Gang:

I am using my substitute new Gateway--waiting for the real one (See post # 15 here: http://www.vistababble.com/forums/vi...t-company.html.). Anyway, it has a two Raptor Raid 0/Vista 32-bit. Anticipating the arrival of my new machine, I decided to install my "spare" Vista 64-bit Raptor to make sure everything would be easy when the new machine arrives. When I started up, I was greeted with a message something to the effect that no bootloader file is present and, of course, was unable to start up.

So, I am wondering first how to start up with the drive present. Second, I am wondering how to "fix things" so that I can start up to the drive 64-bit Raptor.

Under somewhat similar circumstances (expanding a dual boot to a triple boot), I tried "repairing start up" using a Vista DVD, but no luck. Similarly, although I could see the drive in the similar circumstances, I was unable to add it to the startup chain using Easy BCD (I am an Easy BCD/Vista Boot Pro beginner). Since the drive could be seen, I finally just reinstalled Vista 64-bit and restored my disk image of what I started with. The the boot menu was fine and dandy subsequently.

[Znod]

Follow Up:

Well, I took a shot. First, I tried repairing start up. It looked like the "spare" Raptor 64-bit would be added to the boot menu, but, disappointment, no dice. Then, I tried formatting and installing 64-bit on the spare. The installation failed saying that a driver was corrupt or missing. I am pretty confident that the format failed since I still could not restart with the drive still installed--i.e., I'd still get the "no boot loader" message. So, I unplugged the drive and am back where I started. I'll try again tomorrow.

I have at least one more plan--using crabby's procedure of unplugging the other drives and then installing 64-bit on the "spare." But, hey, if you have any thoughts, then please let me know. I want to compare the performance of a 32-bit 2 Raptor Raid 0 and a 64-bit Raptor.

[Znod]

Problem Solved--See New Sig:

Unplugged Raid 0 drives, installed 64-bit on the spare Raptor and then restored my 64-bit disk image to the spare. Still couldn't start up. Repaired start up, but still no dice (thought it was going to work though).

So, I installed 64-bit on the spare again. All works perfectly going through the boot menu to decide which installation to start up to. I'll have to reinstall my programs, but no big deal. I think I can avoid this problem when my real new machine arrives in a few weeks.

[Midway]

I'm glad you got it all sorted out, Znod

My experience has only been with EIDE drives and on multibooting Win/Linux using GRUB or LILO.

[Znod]

Thanks Midway. My only dual/triple booting experiences have been XP Pro, Vista 32-bit, and Vista 64-bit. And, never before any dual booting with a Raid 0. I think I can do things more expeditiously the next time around especially if my 64-bit drive is recognized from the outset.

[Midway]

Oh, I forgot my experiences with the old ISA card hard drives. Remember those?

But is has been pretty much IDE/EIDE since then. The 8300 does have connectors for a couple of SATAs on the mobo but I stay with what I am familiar with for now, lol.

[Midway]

I was just thinking, my first hard drive was a 20MB ISA slot I put in a Tandy 1000SX. I can still hear the WHIRRR--CLUNK! sound it made, lol.

[Znod]

My first was on a Mac SE. I used it as a portable in effect. LOL