Make sure the boot system files for XP (ntldr, boot.ini and NTDETECT.COM) are on the Vista drive as that is tagged "System".

From there it looks like you may need to use VistaBootPRO to change the drive letter allocated to XP to F on the Manage OS Entries page BUT first try without doing that after placing the above files where they should be.

If the hardware is different on the new computer you may have to reinstall XP

I have what I thought was a simple problem.. and thought that the VistaBootPro would easily fix it. I have Vista installed on a SATA hard disk, and use it's second partition for storage.
I have Linux SUSE 10.3 installed on a separata PATA hard disk (all by it's self).
I also have a third PATA installed for storage..
I can boot EITHER the Vista or the Linux by changing the boot disk in BIOS.

VistaBootPro offers an "other OS" option, but only offers Windows Vista or Windows Legacy options. I tried the Legacy option on the Linux and it didn't work.
Is there ANY way to get the Linux Hard drive to boot with VistaBootPro???
Cany any of the advance options solve this problem. Can addition "other OS" options be used??

Help , and thanks

K, here is where I am.

New PC with vista pre installed (no disk)

Connected old XP HD to new PC as a slave (i have previously connected it as a master drive on its own to test and it loads fine)

Now what do I do? Do I: run vistabootpro, select 'system bootloader', select 'windows vista bootloader', select 'all drives' & click 'Install bootloader'.

reboot

Is that it? should it work after that and if it doesnt will it affect my xp drive.

I only ask cos I need to use the xp drive up untill it's running on my new pc.

help.

thanks

Oliver

If the XP was installed on a different computer, you will have to reinstall XP. And once again you may need the Vista DVD.

I install win XP in a second partition first, then install win Vista in a fisrt partition.

I try to follow the step above to use dual boot but I can't. I can't find the three files in window folder, vista or XP.

Someone can help me?

..

Hi All,

I am in a fix while making my HP notebook dual boot and furthermore very confused after finding so much solutions to fix similar kind of problems.

I installed XP in a newly created hard disk partition 'E',which I renamed as 'XP'.in addition, Vista is installed in C and there is one more partition by the manufacturer drive 'D' namely 'Vista Recovery'.Surprisingly when booting into XP drive letters got inter changed like this--> D:- XP, E: -'Vista Recovery'.
Now,while in XP,I installed and Open VistaBootPRO, took a backup of my BCD. From the System Boot loader tab, selected "Windows Vista Bootloader" and "All Drives" and then entered Install Bootloader .Then I reboot my system, to boot into Vista only.
In Vista I again installed VistaBootPro and tried "Run Diagnostics" "Manage OS Entries" tab, but there came only 2 options 1.Vista 2. Recovery manager......It didn't show XP entry anyway..i.e right now I can boot my system into Vista ONLY,(the 2nd entry while booting being Vista Recovery Manager).
Now, I don't know how to make it dual boot.
Plz help me out of this situation and plz note that my pc came with Vista pre-installed and I WAS NOT supplied with Vista bootable DVD.I only made 2 vista recovery dvd.

thanx in advance

Since you have Vista running you can use the guide at the beginning of this thread. Make sure that ntldr, NTDETECT and boot.ini are present on the system drive, probably the root of Vista. You will also need to make sure that you boot.ini is pointing to the XP installation.

Hi,
My problem still remains as it was..no hope as yet!
I checked my disk management as follws:

C:(Vista)-- Healthy (System,Boot,page file..)
D:(HP recovery manager)-- Healthy (Primary partition)
E:(XP)-- Healthy (Primary partition)

(I'm adding a link at the end for a screenshot of my disk management)

I kept the 3 files for XP(ntldr, NTDETECT, and boot.ini ) in both C and E drive.
-then followed the VistaBootPRO v.3.3 Method(though I have VBP 3.2)

. Open VistaBootPRO and go to the "System Bootloader" screen
. Select "Windows Vista Bootloader"
. Select "All Drives"
. Select Force Install and then click on "Install Bootloader"

-I ran "Run Diagnostics",rebooted the system several times but the entry "earlier version of Windows" never shows up.
While booting I can still have only 2 entries-- "Vista","HP recovery manager".
I checked my boot.ini from VBP->Legacy Editor which I'm pasting below.

boot.ini
_______________________________________________________________________________

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional"
/noexecute=optin /fastdetect
________________________________________________________________________________
Is the boot.ini wrong? should the "partition(2)" have been partition(3)??
Vista is not giving access to it either.

Plz let me know if there is any way out to get ddual booting.
Plz note I DON'T HAVE Vista Installation DVD, I only have a set of Vista recovery dvd.

Eagerly waiting for any help!!
[color=brown][/color]

http://picasaweb.google.com/cool.soumen/Vista/photo#5203069992527025666