adding XP to a Linux/Win2000 boot.ini

  • Thread starter Thread starter ebabin
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ebabin

I have a Linux/Win2000 dual boot and want to add XP. I installed XP onto a
separate hard drive via OEM restore disk with an image, there are no actual
install disks. It forces me to install to the first drive. I do this, XP
boots OK. When I change this to the second drive, XP won't boot. I've added
the XP partition to the Win2000 boot.ini list. The original XP boot.ini file
was:

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP "
/fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn

I changed entry rdisk(1) and updated on the XP second disk and to the
Win2000 boot menu.

It doesn't boot. Anyone have any ideas?
 
ebabin said:
I have a Linux/Win2000 dual boot and want to add XP. I installed XP onto a
separate hard drive via OEM restore disk with an image, there are no actual
install disks. It forces me to install to the first drive. I do this, XP
boots OK. When I change this to the second drive, XP won't boot. I've added
the XP partition to the Win2000 boot.ini list. The original XP boot.ini file
was:

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP "
/fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn

I changed entry rdisk(1) and updated on the XP second disk and to the
Win2000 boot menu.

It doesn't boot. Anyone have any ideas?
Click to expand...


This cannot be done using an OEM Rwestore disk. You have to use a true
(either OEM or Retail, it doesn't matter which, as long as you're in
compliance with the licensing terms) installation CD. Then the WinXP
option will automatically be added to Boot.ini.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot
 
Bruce Chambers said:
This cannot be done using an OEM Rwestore disk. You have to use a true
(either OEM or Retail, it doesn't matter which, as long as you're in
compliance with the licensing terms) installation CD. Then the WinXP
option will automatically be added to Boot.ini.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot
Click to expand...

This can't be true. The restore disks (from the OEM) use Norton ghost to
restore to C: only. XP boots ok as the first disk on the cable. I'm sure I
could probably shrink the partition, add the other two partitions via Norton
ghost or reinstall those OSes but I don't feel like giving up another 6 days
of my time to do this. There is an answer, even if it is swapping disks and
having XP boot.ini launch Grub ( which works a helluva lot better then this).
 
If you installed XP to a second drive and it boots up Ok, and the
first drive has linux/win2k, you can reinstall Grub. It will see both drives
OS's and boot them both. Don't know
how familiar you are with linux but a liveCD, Knoppix etc will allow
you to do that.
 
Use the bootloader from Ranish Partition Manager. If this is installed into
the MBR of the first disk, it will allow you to select the boot
disk/partition at startup.

Your other option is to make the Linux partition the default. and use Lilo
or Grub. More complex though, and creates a situation where removal of the
Linux disk knocks the whole lot out.

Beware that if Grub/Lilo has already been installed into the MBR, installing
the Ranish bootloader on the same disk will zap it.
 
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