Dual Booting Two Windows XP's on two Hard Drives

[kfc469]

I have windows XP installed on two separate hdd's. I am trying to dual
boot them by modifying the boot.ini file. Here is what I have:

code:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[boot loader]
timeout=3
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional 1" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(1)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional 2" /fastdetect
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have the first drive set to master and the second one set to slave,
but whenever I select the second one, I get an error saying that it
can't the boot directory. Both drives will boot to windows if I plug
them in one at a time. I copied the boot.ini file onto both hdd's so
they are both the same, but it didn't help.

To recap: I have two hdd's with windows on them that I want to dual
boot. One is set to slave and the other to master, but they are both
on the same IDE cable. The master drive is labled drive 0 on the IDE
cable, and the slave drive is drive 1. I can't copy the lines from the
slave drive's boot.ini into the master's because they are the same.

What am I doing wrong?

Thanks

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I have windows XP installed on two separate hdd's. I am trying to dual
boot them by modifying the boot.ini file. Here is what I have:

code:-----------------------------------------------------------------------
---------
[boot loader]
timeout=3
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional 1" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(1)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional 2" /fastdetect
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------

I have the first drive set to master and the second one set to slave,
but whenever I select the second one, I get an error saying that it
can't the boot directory. Both drives will boot to windows if I plug
them in one at a time. I copied the boot.ini file onto both hdd's so
they are both the same, but it didn't help.

To recap: I have two hdd's with windows on them that I want to dual
boot. One is set to slave and the other to master, but they are both
on the same IDE cable. The master drive is labled drive 0 on the IDE
cable, and the slave drive is drive 1. I can't copy the lines from the
slave drive's boot.ini into the master's because they are the same.

What am I doing wrong?

Thanks

You write that Windows reports "it can't the boot directory".
I don't think that this is the actual error message - please
quote it verbatim.

 

[Ron Sommer]

I seriously doubt that you want disk(1).

[boot loader]
timeout=3
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional 1" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional 2" /fastdetect

--
Ronald Sommer

:I have windows XP installed on two separate hdd's. I am trying to dual
: boot them by modifying the boot.ini file. Here is what I have:
:
:
code:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: [boot loader]
: timeout=3
: default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
: [operating systems]
: multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
: Professional 1" /fastdetect
: multi(0)disk(1)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
: Professional 2" /fastdetect
: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
:
: I have the first drive set to master and the second one set to slave,
: but whenever I select the second one, I get an error saying that it
: can't the boot directory. Both drives will boot to windows if I plug
: them in one at a time. I copied the boot.ini file onto both hdd's so
: they are both the same, but it didn't help.
:
: To recap: I have two hdd's with windows on them that I want to dual
: boot. One is set to slave and the other to master, but they are both
: on the same IDE cable. The master drive is labled drive 0 on the IDE
: cable, and the slave drive is drive 1. I can't copy the lines from the
: slave drive's boot.ini into the master's because they are the same.
:
: What am I doing wrong?
:
: Thanks
:

 

[kfc469]

boot them by modifying the boot.ini file. Here is what I have:
code:----------------------------------------------------------------------­-
---------





[boot loader]
timeout=3
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional 1" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(1)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional 2" /fastdetect
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------

I have the first drive set to master and the second one set to slave,
but whenever I select the second one, I get an error saying that it
can't the boot directory. Both drives will boot to windows if I plug
them in one at a time. I copied the boot.ini file onto both hdd's so
they are both the same, but it didn't help.

To recap: I have two hdd's with windows on them that I want to dual
boot. One is set to slave and the other to master, but they are both
on the same IDE cable. The master drive is labled drive 0 on the IDE
cable, and the slave drive is drive 1. I can't copy the lines from the
slave drive's boot.ini into the master's because they are the same.

What am I doing wrong?

Thanks

You write that Windows reports "it can't the boot directory".
I don't think that this is the actual error message - please
quote it verbatim.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

It goes something like this:
"Windows cannot start bacause of a computer disk hardware
configuration problem.
Could not read from the selected bootdisk. Check boot
path and disk hardware.
please check the windows documentation about harware disk
configuration and your hardware reference manuals for
additional information"

 

[Pennywise]

I have windows XP installed on two separate hdd's. I am trying to dual
boot them by modifying the boot.ini file. Here is what I have:

code:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[boot loader]
timeout=3
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional 1" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(1)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional 2" /fastdetect
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

partition(0)=C:\
partition(1)=D:\
and so on

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I assume that Ron's reply pointed you in the right direction.

news:[email protected]...> I have

windows XP installed on two separate hdd's. I am trying to dual

boot them by modifying the boot.ini file. Here is what I have:

code:----------------------------------------------------------------------­
-

---------





[boot loader]
timeout=3
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional 1" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(1)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional 2" /fastdetect
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------

I have the first drive set to master and the second one set to slave,
but whenever I select the second one, I get an error saying that it
can't the boot directory. Both drives will boot to windows if I plug
them in one at a time. I copied the boot.ini file onto both hdd's so
they are both the same, but it didn't help.

To recap: I have two hdd's with windows on them that I want to dual
boot. One is set to slave and the other to master, but they are both
on the same IDE cable. The master drive is labled drive 0 on the IDE
cable, and the slave drive is drive 1. I can't copy the lines from the
slave drive's boot.ini into the master's because they are the same.

What am I doing wrong?

Thanks

You write that Windows reports "it can't the boot directory".
I don't think that this is the actual error message - please
quote it verbatim.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

It goes something like this:
"Windows cannot start bacause of a computer disk hardware
configuration problem.
Could not read from the selected bootdisk. Check boot
path and disk hardware.
please check the windows documentation about harware disk
configuration and your hardware reference manuals for
additional information"

 

[Ron Sommer]

: (e-mail address removed) wrote:
:
: >I have windows XP installed on two separate hdd's. I am trying to dual
: >boot them by modifying the boot.ini file. Here is what I have:
: >
:

code:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

: >[boot loader]
: >timeout=3
: >default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
: >[operating systems]
: >multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
: >Professional 1" /fastdetect
: >multi(0)disk(1)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
: >Professional 2" /fastdetect
:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:
: partition(0)=C:\
: partition(1)=D:\
: and so on
:
:
: --
: http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/dudefalling.php

There can never be a partition(0).
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/Windows2000Pro/reskit/part2/proch06.mspx?fr=true

multi(W)disk(X)rdisk(Y)partiton(Z)

Parameter Multi Parameter Definitions
W The number of the adapter, usually 0.
X Always 0.
Y The number for the disk on the adapter, usually between 0 and 3.
Z The partition number. All partitions that are in use receive a number.
Primary partitions are numbered before logical drives.
The first valid number for Z is 1; W, X, and Y start at 0.

 

[kfc469]

I seriously doubt that you want disk(1).

[boot loader]
timeout=3
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional 1" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional 2" /fastdetect

I tried this and it didn't work. Do I need to change anything on the
slave drive's boot.ini file to make this work?

Thanks

 

[Ron Sommer]

: > I seriously doubt that you want disk(1).
: >
: > [boot loader]
: > timeout=3
: > default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
: > [operating systems]
: > multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
: > Professional 1" /fastdetect
: > multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
: > Professional 2" /fastdetect
: >
: > --
: > Ronald Sommer
:
: I tried this and it didn't work. Do I need to change anything on the
: slave drive's boot.ini file to make this work?
:
: Thanks
:
Which drive contains the active partition?

Which XP can you boot?

 

[kfc469]

Which drive contains the active partition?

Which XP can you boot?

I don't know exactly what you mean by the active partition. Both of
the drives are have windows installed on them. I can boot to both of
them if I plug them in one at a time. When they are both plugged in, I
can only get the master drive to boot.

Thanks

 

[Ron Martell]

I have windows XP installed on two separate hdd's. I am trying to dual
boot them by modifying the boot.ini file. Here is what I have:

code:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[boot loader]
timeout=3
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional 1" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(1)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional 2" /fastdetect

With both hard drives in the machine boot to the Windows XP Recovery
Console and enter the following command:

BOOTCFG /REBUILD

That should create a new boot.ini file based on what is actually
present.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
Syberfix Remote Computer Repair

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[Timothy Daniels]

"Ron Sommer" asked:

Which drive contains the active partition?

Which XP can you boot?

Assuming that there is only one Primary partition
on each hard drive, the question about which partition
is "active" is irrelevant - if that's what you're asking -
since the MBR will consider the sole Primary partition
to be "active". The question should be "Which hard
drive is at the head of the hard drive boot order?".
That hard drive's MBR will get control and try to pass
control to the ntldr that it assumes is in the "active"
Primary partition or sole Primary partition on the hard
drive. Also, "rdisk(0)" in the boot.ini file refers to the
hard drive at the head of the hard drive boot order
when ntldr goes to fetch the OS. The default position
for the hard drive at the head of the hard drive boot
order is the HD jumpered as Master on IDE channel 0.
If there is no HD there, the BIOS will look at the HD
jumpered as Slave on IDE ch. 0, and so on until it finds
a HD with a valid MBR - which it will then present to
ntldr as "rdisk(0)". But this default hard drive boot order
can be changed manually in the BIOS by the user, and
so far, no one has asked the OP whether he has done
this, and so we still don't know which HD gets control
from the BIOS.

*TimDaniels*

 

[kfc469]

"Ron Sommer" asked:



Assuming that there is only one Primary partition
on each hard drive, the question about which partition
is "active" is irrelevant - if that's what you're asking -
since the MBR will consider the sole Primary partition
to be "active". The question should be "Which hard
drive is at the head of the hard drive boot order?".
That hard drive's MBR will get control and try to pass
control to the ntldr that it assumes is in the "active"
Primary partition or sole Primary partition on the hard
drive. Also, "rdisk(0)" in the boot.ini file refers to the
hard drive at the head of the hard drive boot order
when ntldr goes to fetch the OS. The default position
for the hard drive at the head of the hard drive boot
order is the HD jumpered as Master on IDE channel 0.
If there is no HD there, the BIOS will look at the HD
jumpered as Slave on IDE ch. 0, and so on until it finds
a HD with a valid MBR - which it will then present to
ntldr as "rdisk(0)". But this default hard drive boot order
can be changed manually in the BIOS by the user, and
so far, no one has asked the OP whether he has done
this, and so we still don't know which HD gets control
from the BIOS.

*TimDaniels*

The master drive is set first in the BIOS boot order. I still need to
try the recovery console option, just haven't had time.

 

[Ron Sommer]

:> Which drive contains the active partition?
: >
: > Which XP can you boot?
: > --
: > Ronald Sommer
:
: I don't know exactly what you mean by the active partition. Both of
: the drives are have windows installed on them. I can boot to both of
: them if I plug them in one at a time. When they are both plugged in, I
: can only get the master drive to boot.
:
: Thanks
:
When you only have the 'slave' connected, are you rejumpering it to Master?

 

[Timothy Daniels]

(Please top-post in Microsoft newsgroups.)
When there is only one hard drive connected, it doesn't
matter HOW it's jumpered - it's automatically at the head
of the hard drive boot order. And even if there were
another hard drive in the system jumpered as Master,
the Slave could be set in the BIOS by the user to be at
the head of the hard drive boot order. Master versus
Slave has only two effects:
1) Differentiation between HDs for the IDE channel controller,
2) The DEFAULT hard drive boot order (which can be
reset by the user).

Neither one of these effects manifests when there is only
one hard drive connected.

*TimDaniels*

 

[Bob I]

Actually it does matter, especially with Western Digital, that have
Master With and Without Slave

 

[Timothy Daniels]

I have 4 comments:
1) It could matter ONLY with Western Digital (AFAIK),
2) How jumpering Slave without a Master would affect
the hard drive boot order is unstated,
3) The OP didn't say what kind of HDs he had,
4) The situation under discussion is "Slave without a Master",
not "Master without a Slave".

Perhaps "kfc469" could aid the solution by posting the
brand of HD that he's using.

*TimDaniels*