dledbetter

So I was attempting to fix my laptop hard drive, so I connected it to my computer using an external enclosure. My laptop was having problems finishing a Windows XP installation, so I decided to try to install XP using my other computer. I booted my Windows Vista based computer to the Windows XP installation cd. I selected the laptop hard drive to install Windows XP on to. Once it finished formatting the partition, I received an error stating that the hard drive was unable to complete the partition process. I just assumed that the hard drive was dead. Therefore, I unplugged the laptop hard drive from my PC, and attempted to boot to Vista, the only OS on my PC. This is when I got the "Error loading operating system" error. I tried researching this problem, and I found this article:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/919529/en-us

I was following the steps using the command prompt on the Windows Vista installation cd, in the repair section. Once I tried to enter "C:\boot\Bootsect.exe /NT60 All" which is the first step in the directions, it said that "C:\boot\Bootsect.exe was not recognized as an internal or external command"

I really think this is the path I need to follow, as I believe that Windows XP may have messed with the Windows Vista Boot Manager. If anyone has any ideas, please post. Thanks.

jseiler

It looks like you may have deleted your boot information for Vista. You may have selected the secondary hard drive to install XP to, but it will still try to write info to your primary hard drive.

I'm not sure of a quick fix, unless you can do some type of re-install of Vista, but choose to keep your current system and just re-install windows vista.

Dunedin

Hello dledbetter

Go here and scroll down to
Create a Vista Dual Boot Menu

Download VistaBootPRO and follow the instructions.

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Dunedin

dledbetter

Dunedin, how shall I install that software if this Windows Vista is the only operating system on my hard drive?

Dunedin

Sorry, I was thinking you had another OS working.

Try Startup Repair

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Dunedin

dledbetter

I tried that, but it could not fix my problem. Any other ideas?

Dunedin

The only other thing I can suggest is a "Repair" of Vista.

It is different from Repairing XP

Here are instructions.

There is this warning. You should be aware of this although you cannot do it.
"While upgrading should, in theory, not disturb what applications/documents you already have on your hard drive it would be far wiser to actually backup any important files/documents prior to attempting this upgrade."

Note also the warning if SP1 is installed

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Dunedin

dledbetter

I am not able to upgrade, as the only operating system on my hard drive is Vista, and the upgrade option is not available. i believe I have found my answer here:

http://blogs.technet.com/jhoward/arc...ows-vista.aspx

Do you think this will resole my problem? It essentially says that I should install a second hard drive and put Windows Vista on it and create a dual-boot environment. This should fix the boot manager problem. Any feedback on this would be helpful.

Dunedin

Yes that should work.

You should however be able to Upgrade Vista to Vista. Are you sure you followed the instructions properly?

You do the Upgrade from within your Vista, NOT by booting from the DVD.

http://vistasupport.mvps.org/upgradi...dows_vista.htm

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Dunedin

dledbetter

My main problem is that I can't boot my operating system---I get "Error Loading Operating System" when I boot. Therefore, that does not help me.

Dunedin

Sorry, I should have read the whole thread again

Try your suggestion in your last post then

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Dunedin

dledbetter

I will either try that or I will install another hard drive in the system with XP on it and then boot the XP hard drive and use the fixmbr/fixboot command. I have noticed that works in some cases also. Will I have to remove my Vista drive during the XP installation? And if I modify the boot order to boot the XP drive first, will it avoid the error loading operating system message for the time being and allow me to boot the XP drive? Thanks or the quick responses.

Dunedin

Leave the 2 drives installed.

Use these instructions how to set up the dual boot. I think it should work

Follow the "Create a Vista Dual Boot Menu " instructions this time

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Dunedin

dledbetter

Ok, I just need to get my hands on a second drive and I think I will be alright. Thanks a lot for all your help. I will post back once I try making a dual-boot.

dledbetter

Problem solved! All I had to do is pop in the Vista Installation Disk, go to the command prompt and type the following commands:

bootrec.exe /fixMBR
bootrec.exe /fixBoot

Same basic idea as fixing it in XP, just using a .exe instead. Thanks for all the suggestions.

Dunedin

I am so glad you have fixed it dledbetter

Thanks for posting your solution

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Dunedin