Dual Boot Config - Missing Previous Version

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Guest

Because of the curiosity factor invovled in seeing how an x64 OS would
respond with digital media apps on my 64bit processor, I decided to install
Vista x64 onto a spare 40GB PATA drive in a system with a working x86 XP SATA
setup.

After installing the drive, I did not boot to XP, but instead, immediately
ran the setup from the DVD. When presented with the graphic showing possible
installation partitions, I noticed that the spare drive (which was in the
second column, I believe) still had information on it, so I formatted it,
then proceeded to install with no problems.

I restarted the system after updating some drivers and noticed that there
was no boot menu presenting me with the option to boot to my previous version
of windows - it went straight into Vista. After another restart, I confirmed
that my BIOS was set to boot from the SATA drive first, but it was booting
from the PATA drive, instead. Thinking that the DVD had something to do with
how the drives were being recognized, I ejected the DVD, and then booted
straight into XP. For some reason, the boot configuration data was installed
on the PATA drive and not the SATA. In XP, the Vista drive shows up as my G:
drive. In Vista, the XP installation shows up as the D: drive. That drive
letter assignments doesn't bother me. But now, how do I get the Vista
bootsector installed on the SATA drive, which is my normal boot device?
 
Because of the curiosity factor invovled in seeing how an x64 OS would
respond with digital media apps on my 64bit processor, I decided to install
Vista x64 onto a spare 40GB PATA drive in a system with a working x86 XP SATA
setup.

After installing the drive, I did not boot to XP, but instead, immediately
ran the setup from the DVD. When presented with the graphic showing possible
installation partitions, I noticed that the spare drive (which was in the
second column, I believe) still had information on it, so I formatted it,
then proceeded to install with no problems.

I restarted the system after updating some drivers and noticed that there
was no boot menu presenting me with the option to boot to my previous version
of windows - it went straight into Vista. After another restart, I confirmed
that my BIOS was set to boot from the SATA drive first, but it was booting
from the PATA drive, instead. Thinking that the DVD had something to do with
how the drives were being recognized, I ejected the DVD, and then booted
straight into XP. For some reason, the boot configuration data was installed
on the PATA drive and not the SATA. In XP, the Vista drive shows up as my G:
drive. In Vista, the XP installation shows up as the D: drive. That drive
letter assignments doesn't bother me. But now, how do I get the Vista
bootsector installed on the SATA drive, which is my normal boot device?
Click to expand...

You've discovered a phenomenon that seems more like a bug than a
feature. To assure that your BCD is placed on your XP drive, so that
you get a dual-boot menu, launch Vista Setup from within XP. I think
you're going to have to reinstall using this method.
 
He can't launch the Vista x64 setup from his XP x86 desktop. Only Vista
x86. If he had XP x64 then he could.
 
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