Dual Boot Problems

[BoSho]

Hi!

I'm using a Dual-Boot Windows XP computer, and I was having problems with my 'D:' drive. I decided to re-install Windows XP, so I erased the drive. I restarted the computer and put in the disk, but nothing happened. Instead, it went directly to the boot-up process. When it booted the 'D:' drive, an error appeared on the screen:

Windows could not start because of a computer disk hardware configuration problem.

Could not read from the selected boot disk. Check boot path and disk hardware.

Please check the Windows documentaion about hardware disk configuration and your hardware reference manuals for additional information.

I restarted the computer and tried again. Same thing. Does anyone know a way to boot up the 'C:' drive, even though it is auto-booting the 'D:'?

Yours truly (in need of help),

Bo Sho

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

Hello, and welcome to the Windows Forum!

On your C: drive you should find a file named boot.ini which contains all information for a multi-boot system. My system boots from either C: or E: drive, and my boot.ini file contains these information

[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="Windows XP - Japanese" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINNT="Windows 2000 - English" /fastdetect

Check your boot.ini file and make sure that it contains the correct information for your dual-boot system. See http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=289022 for more information on the boot.ini file.

[BoSho]

Uhh, this may sound kinda dumb, but how do I access the boot.ini file if I can't start up Windows XP?

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

Sorry; I did not carefully read your question - I thought that it just booted into the wrong partition.

What you need to do is

1. Enter BIOS setup to change the boot sequence - make the CD-ROM drive the first in the sequence
   
2. Reboot into the Windows CD-ROM disk and start Recovery Console; you should be able to edit the boot.ini file
   

[BoSho]

Thanks a lot, Pat, but nothing works. For some reason my CD-ROM disk won't even start! Is it possible to change Boot Drives from the AMIBIOS Setup? I just want to get my computer working! T.T

[BoSho]

Thanks everyone for your help, but I found a new way to start up in Safe Mode!! YAY! I've been looking around in the forum and saw a lot of people saying their USB keyboard didn't work. SO I looked around the house for a long time and finally came across a Windows PC keyboard, with the weird little jack. So, it began working and I went to safe mode. I went to My Computer : Properties : Advanced. I choose my C: Drive as the auto-boot. Then I rebooted and it worked! :P Well, thanks alot for your help!!! XD

Thanks again,

BoSho!!

((PSST: I'm sooo happy!!!!! XD))

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

Great that you could get it to work!