WinXP MBR locked - Access is denied for Vista install

  • Thread starter Thread starter madad2005
  • Start date Start date
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madad2005

Hey,

I wasn't sure whether to post this as an XP problem or a Vista problem. I'm
doing a dual boot. XP is already there on the first partition and I'm
attempting to put Vista on the second partition. However, Vista never gets
past the expanding files stage due to not being able to access the boot
manager. Now this seems to be because the mbr file is locked.

Any idea how i go about unlocking it? I can change the boot.ini file without
any problems, but clearly the issue is related to the MBR itself. Using
FIXMBR has had no effect on the install issue.

Thanks,

Adriano

p.s. if you want me to move this toi a vista forum, then let meknow.
 
I do not think that XP, by itself, has the ability to lock the MBR.

That is probably caused by some non-Microsoft program that operates at a
fairly fundamental level.

Check whether this is a feature of (1) BIOS, (2) antivirus program, (3)
spyware protection program, (4) firewall, (5) etc.

Also, are you booting the PC from the Vista DVD, or attempting to install
Vista from within the XP desktop? The former is the normal way of
installing a modern operating system, but it requires that you have your
BIOS set to boot form CD\DVD before the internal hard drive. The latter
might not work, or could have any number of problems.
 
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