Windows XP SP2 error & Vista upgrade

[nihil]

Cider,

You might like to look at this:

http://lifehacker.com/software/vista...sta-236823.php

It is a free app to multiboot with Vista. I know that it requires Vista to be loaded first, but it might be helpful at some stage?

EDIT: Direct link here:

http://www.vistabootpro.org/index.php

EDIT#2

I didn't ask if you knew which OS was providing the dual boot boot manager. If it is Vista you should see a preliminary screen with options something like:

1. Load Vista (selected by default)
2. Load older Windows Operating System

If that is the case then you are using Vista's boot manager so this should solve your problem.

http://www.netscape.com/viewstory/20...tml&frame=true

If you get something that is different, or specifically mentions Win XP then DON'T TRY THIS. It means that you are using the old BIOS/XP bootloader (NTLDR) and will screw up

[Cider]

The dualbooting is displayed like this.

1] Load earlier versions of windows
2] MS Vista [default]

Now I know 90 % I can use that last link, just want to double check what you say...

Thanks.

BTW: Can I then delete my XP partition?

[nihil]

That looks good Cider,

You are booting into the Vista bootmanager.

Follow the instructions in the second link I gave to remove XP from the Vista boot manager. Test that it now only boots into Vista (the older versions option should disappear).

Then zap your XP

[Cider]

Thank nihil

I have to copy the image from my HDD, Ill do that later this afternoon and let you know how things go.

Thanks again for the help.

[Cider]

OK both times I did the fixmbr and fixboot, it said completed succesfully. However it still wont let me format the partition.

Wierd...

[nihil]

Hi Cider,

This is a bit of a guess, but I have been talking about it with fellow IT types. We have sort of concluded like this:

1. If you load XP or 2000 it will set up the usual MBR/BIOS startup at the beginning of the drive.

2. Vista works differently, and has a different offset, so, when you load it second, it starts after the XP/2000 partition.

3. It won't recognise anything before it on the HDD?

I think that the "official" solution would be to wipe the HDD and load Vista on its own? Because you are using an "image" you are bringing the old XP/2000 luggage with you?

We are looking into this, as there is going to be a fair bit of support work from people who bought a PC around Christmas 2006, and had XP loaded with an upgrade to Vista included in the deal.

A crude solution is to save everything, then wipe the drive and load Vista first

[Cider]

Sigh, Saving stuff is the problem though. I could do that. When i pop in the vista CD will I beable to format the XP partition or will it give me hassels?

[oofki]

The original problem was a DEP problem. (DATA PROTECTION PREVENTION - MS WINDOWS)

All you had to do is disable DEP for that one exe.