Topic: Vista boot loader... (Page 1 of 1)

Any one out there know how to fix a Vista boot loader when the OS is pre-installed? I am trying for an XP Vista dual boot with very little success.

Can't help ya with that query, but ya may find the following links handy:

Dual Boot with Vista already installed

For other folks that end up here: Dual boot Vista with other systems

I contemplated a dual boot but it got all too complicated, so I convinced myself that my laptop (ie me) wouldn't like it and opted for two laptops instead

I know a great FREE way to permanently fix Vista

..

http://www.ubuntu.com/

At what point do you run into problems?

For editing the BCD boot entries, EasyBCD helps... http://neosmart.net/dl.php?id=1

Is there no recovery partition? You don't mention what type of computer it is, but I know most (if not all) IBM's have a recovery partition that will set it back to factory defaults.

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argo navis said:

I know a great FREE way to permanently fix Vista

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Later,

C:\

First of all thank you for all the replies so far.
It is Dell and yes it has a recovery partition. The recovery partition said that it would return the machine to its factory settings. If this is the case do I have to worry about losing files and reinstalling all programs or does it just recover the OS and leave every thing else where it is?

The Dell recovery would restore your hdd's original partition layout, files & programs don't survive that

quote:

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lan said:

I contemplated a dual boot but it got all too complicated

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It shouldn't be complicated and in practice it isn't.
Some guidelines though:
- Install the older OS (XP) first
- This is incredibly obvious, but what the hell, ensure each OS is on its own partition (same or different drives)
- Never, ever, keep data files on the same partition as an OS
- Once the OS is installed, tweaked, and running properly image it (personally I use Ghost)
- Install applications and make a second image (keeping the first one)

Back to the dual boot install. This reference is clear, illustrated, and the whole process should be a no-brainer if you follow it step by step.

http://www.theeldergeekvista.com/vista_clean_installation.htm



Nature & Travel Photography
Main Entrance

Many thanks to all who replied. According to Dell the machine that I am trying to do this to, Inspiron 530, will not run XP and they have no support or drivers for XP. This is strange because they have a full list of XP drivers listed on their support page for this very model. Oh well I guess it is back to Vista only for now. This was a help project for a friend so I don't have the liberty of just banging away at it until it submits so for now I will walk away and go get some fresh air.

PS-SleepingWolf your photography is awesome.

Thanks SW... yeah it wasn't so much the process but:

1) The h/drive was too small once I realized what a resource gobbler Vista was
2) Vista was pre-installed, so no discs etc
3) "This component doesn't like XP and prob won't function correctly"
3) General unfamiliarity with Vista so all those nice security popups etc drove me batty
4) During all this my old computer was groaning to a halt from the load!
5) We're reeeal busy at work so diminishing time for f**** around with this crap
6) General Festivus stuff

Aaaargh... I can feel my blood pressure rising just writting it all down

I'm quite happy just keeping my computer running nice and smooth, and playing with my cameras... that's quite enough strain for one rapidly aging brain

(Edited by lan on 01-13-2008 22:21)