F8-key in Boot Menu does not work any more after Vista installatio

[Guest]

Hello all,
I seem to have a problem with my Boot Menu after having installed Vista:
the Boot Menu shows both operating systems as a choice, but when I choose
Windows XP, hitting the F8-key does not show any reaction, i.e. I cannot boot
Windows XP in Safe Mode (or any of the other options), I can boot WinXP in
the normal way only.
Both WinXP and Vista (64bit) are installed on the same physical disk, but
(of course) on different partitions.
I suspect that the cause is that something is wrong with my (new) boot.ini
after having installed Vista!?

In order to give you more chances to help me, hereunder are the 2 versions
of my boot.ini files (before and after Vista installation):
(NOTE: before Vista, WindowsXP-Home Edition was my 2nd Operating System, but
this is no longer installed now):

Before Vista:
----------------------
[boot loader]
timeout=30
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" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
----------------------

After Vista (actual boot.ini):
--------------------------------
;
;Warning: Boot.ini is used on Windows XP and earlier operating systems.
;Warning: Use BCDEDIT.exe to modify Windows Vista boot options.
;
[boot loader]
timeout=30
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" /NOEXECUTE=OPTIN /FASTDETECT
---------------------------------------
Another strange thing is, that in this (actual) boot.ini there is only 1
Operating System quoted, while in the Boot Menu both of them (WinXP and
Vista) appear!

But my main question remains:
How can I get the functionality of the F8-key in the Boot Menu back in order
to be able to boot WinXP in Safe Mode???

Many thanks in advance for any help,
sincerely
Tom

 

[Luke Fitzwater]

My F8 key works fine under my XP/Vista dual boot. Are you hitting it too
late? I typically have one hand already perched ready to hit F8 right
after I select "Older Windows" with the other hand.

The key to the second part of your post is actually in your quote.
BCEDIT.exe is how Vista changes the boot configuration; good bye
boot.ini for Vista.

-Luke

 

[Guest]

Tom, your experience, to my knowledge, is that which is supposed to happen.
Your boot.ini does not make any difference because Vista bcdedit is now in
charge. There is no line allowing the F8 key when viewing the loading screen
info, and I do not have an explanation for you.

Luke may be a little confused. The 'older windows' notation should only be
seen when loading Vista during the many computer restarts. Once the install
is complete, the loading info should see Microsoft Windows, and above that
whatever is on your dual boot. Gets confusing.

You may even see two screens when selecting OSs, one from Vista (the first
one) and the second from you dual boot OS.

Fitzwater" wrote:

My F8 key works fine under my XP/Vista dual boot. Are you hitting it too
late? I typically have one hand already perched ready to hit F8 right
after I select "Older Windows" with the other hand.

The key to the second part of your post is actually in your quote.
BCEDIT.exe is how Vista changes the boot configuration; good bye
boot.ini for Vista.

-Luke

Hello all,
I seem to have a problem with my Boot Menu after having installed Vista:
the Boot Menu shows both operating systems as a choice, but when I choose
Windows XP, hitting the F8-key does not show any reaction, i.e. I cannot boot
Windows XP in Safe Mode (or any of the other options), I can boot WinXP in
the normal way only.
Both WinXP and Vista (64bit) are installed on the same physical disk, but
(of course) on different partitions.
I suspect that the cause is that something is wrong with my (new) boot.ini
after having installed Vista!?

In order to give you more chances to help me, hereunder are the 2 versions
of my boot.ini files (before and after Vista installation):
(NOTE: before Vista, WindowsXP-Home Edition was my 2nd Operating System, but
this is no longer installed now):

Before Vista:
----------------------
[boot loader]
timeout=30
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" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
----------------------

After Vista (actual boot.ini):
--------------------------------
;
;Warning: Boot.ini is used on Windows XP and earlier operating systems.
;Warning: Use BCDEDIT.exe to modify Windows Vista boot options.
;
[boot loader]
timeout=30
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" /NOEXECUTE=OPTIN /FASTDETECT
---------------------------------------
Another strange thing is, that in this (actual) boot.ini there is only 1
Operating System quoted, while in the Boot Menu both of them (WinXP and
Vista) appear!

But my main question remains:
How can I get the functionality of the F8-key in the Boot Menu back in order
to be able to boot WinXP in Safe Mode???

Many thanks in advance for any help,
sincerely
Tom

 

[Luke Fitzwater]

Jack, I'm not confused. I just didn't want to reboot the machine to
recall exactly what it said, previous or older. Even you didn't remember
the exact wording of it.

He may not even see a second boot screen at all with the way Vista
rewrote his boot.ini file.

The F8 key still works fine, you just have to be quick about it.

-Luke

Tom, your experience, to my knowledge, is that which is supposed to happen.
Your boot.ini does not make any difference because Vista bcdedit is now in
charge. There is no line allowing the F8 key when viewing the loading screen
info, and I do not have an explanation for you.

Luke may be a little confused. The 'older windows' notation should only be
seen when loading Vista during the many computer restarts. Once the install
is complete, the loading info should see Microsoft Windows, and above that
whatever is on your dual boot. Gets confusing.

You may even see two screens when selecting OSs, one from Vista (the first
one) and the second from you dual boot OS.

Fitzwater" wrote:

My F8 key works fine under my XP/Vista dual boot. Are you hitting it too
late? I typically have one hand already perched ready to hit F8 right
after I select "Older Windows" with the other hand.

The key to the second part of your post is actually in your quote.
BCEDIT.exe is how Vista changes the boot configuration; good bye
boot.ini for Vista.

-Luke

Hello all,
I seem to have a problem with my Boot Menu after having installed Vista:
the Boot Menu shows both operating systems as a choice, but when I choose
Windows XP, hitting the F8-key does not show any reaction, i.e. I cannot boot
Windows XP in Safe Mode (or any of the other options), I can boot WinXP in
the normal way only.
Both WinXP and Vista (64bit) are installed on the same physical disk, but
(of course) on different partitions.
I suspect that the cause is that something is wrong with my (new) boot.ini
after having installed Vista!?

In order to give you more chances to help me, hereunder are the 2 versions
of my boot.ini files (before and after Vista installation):
(NOTE: before Vista, WindowsXP-Home Edition was my 2nd Operating System, but
this is no longer installed now):

Before Vista:
----------------------
[boot loader]
timeout=30
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" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
----------------------

After Vista (actual boot.ini):
--------------------------------
;
;Warning: Boot.ini is used on Windows XP and earlier operating systems.
;Warning: Use BCDEDIT.exe to modify Windows Vista boot options.
;
[boot loader]
timeout=30
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" /NOEXECUTE=OPTIN /FASTDETECT
---------------------------------------
Another strange thing is, that in this (actual) boot.ini there is only 1
Operating System quoted, while in the Boot Menu both of them (WinXP and
Vista) appear!

But my main question remains:
How can I get the functionality of the F8-key in the Boot Menu back in order
to be able to boot WinXP in Safe Mode???

Many thanks in advance for any help,
sincerely
Tom

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Highlighting the entry and then pressing F8 should be right. Pressing the
entry will start the boot.

Jack, I'm not confused. I just didn't want to reboot the machine to recall
exactly what it said, previous or older. Even you didn't remember the
exact wording of it.

He may not even see a second boot screen at all with the way Vista rewrote
his boot.ini file.

The F8 key still works fine, you just have to be quick about it.

-Luke

Tom, your experience, to my knowledge, is that which is supposed to
happen. Your boot.ini does not make any difference because Vista bcdedit
is now in charge. There is no line allowing the F8 key when viewing the
loading screen info, and I do not have an explanation for you.

Luke may be a little confused. The 'older windows' notation should only
be seen when loading Vista during the many computer restarts. Once the
install is complete, the loading info should see Microsoft Windows, and
above that whatever is on your dual boot. Gets confusing.

You may even see two screens when selecting OSs, one from Vista (the
first one) and the second from you dual boot OS.

Fitzwater" wrote:

My F8 key works fine under my XP/Vista dual boot. Are you hitting it too
late? I typically have one hand already perched ready to hit F8 right
after I select "Older Windows" with the other hand.

The key to the second part of your post is actually in your quote.
BCEDIT.exe is how Vista changes the boot configuration; good bye
boot.ini for Vista.

-Luke

Tom wrote:
Hello all,
I seem to have a problem with my Boot Menu after having installed
Vista:
the Boot Menu shows both operating systems as a choice, but when I
choose Windows XP, hitting the F8-key does not show any reaction, i.e.
I cannot boot Windows XP in Safe Mode (or any of the other options), I
can boot WinXP in the normal way only.
Both WinXP and Vista (64bit) are installed on the same physical disk,
but (of course) on different partitions.
I suspect that the cause is that something is wrong with my (new)
boot.ini after having installed Vista!?

In order to give you more chances to help me, hereunder are the 2
versions of my boot.ini files (before and after Vista installation):
(NOTE: before Vista, WindowsXP-Home Edition was my 2nd Operating
System, but this is no longer installed now):

Before Vista:
----------------------
[boot loader]
timeout=30
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" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
----------------------

After Vista (actual boot.ini):
--------------------------------
;
;Warning: Boot.ini is used on Windows XP and earlier operating systems.
;Warning: Use BCDEDIT.exe to modify Windows Vista boot options.
;
[boot loader]
timeout=30
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" /NOEXECUTE=OPTIN /FASTDETECT
---------------------------------------
Another strange thing is, that in this (actual) boot.ini there is only
1 Operating System quoted, while in the Boot Menu both of them (WinXP
and Vista) appear!

But my main question remains:
How can I get the functionality of the F8-key in the Boot Menu back in
order to be able to boot WinXP in Safe Mode???

Many thanks in advance for any help,
sincerely
Tom

 

[Bones]

After installing Vista, the boot.ini is not longer used, so the information
in your boot.ini files is really a moot point.
After selecting XP from the boot menu, you should be able to tap F8 to get
to safe mode. If you are just hitting the key once, try tapping it a few
times after selecting XP...but you have to be prety quick to catch it. You
can also try using the F5 key, as it will do the same thing as F8.

If it just will not work, you can get to safe mode in XP by clicking
Start-Run type in msconfig <enter>
In the system config utility, click the boot.ini tab and check the box that
says /safeboot (also check the network box if you want safe mode w/
networking) click apply, then click close, and restart...you will restart in
safe mode.
To go back to normal mode, just uncheck the /safeboot box in msconfig.

After installing Vista, it's a little trickier to get to safe mode, but I
havent found a system yet that I couldnt get to safe mode using F8. That
includes my home system, and the 40 Vista boxes we have set up at work.

Hello all,
I seem to have a problem with my Boot Menu after having installed Vista:
the Boot Menu shows both operating systems as a choice, but when I choose
Windows XP, hitting the F8-key does not show any reaction, i.e. I cannot
boot
Windows XP in Safe Mode (or any of the other options), I can boot WinXP in
the normal way only.
Both WinXP and Vista (64bit) are installed on the same physical disk, but
(of course) on different partitions.
I suspect that the cause is that something is wrong with my (new) boot.ini
after having installed Vista!?

In order to give you more chances to help me, hereunder are the 2 versions
of my boot.ini files (before and after Vista installation):
(NOTE: before Vista, WindowsXP-Home Edition was my 2nd Operating System,
but
this is no longer installed now):

Before Vista:
----------------------
[boot loader]
timeout=30
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" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
----------------------

After Vista (actual boot.ini):
--------------------------------
;
;Warning: Boot.ini is used on Windows XP and earlier operating systems.
;Warning: Use BCDEDIT.exe to modify Windows Vista boot options.
;
[boot loader]
timeout=30
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" /NOEXECUTE=OPTIN /FASTDETECT
---------------------------------------
Another strange thing is, that in this (actual) boot.ini there is only 1
Operating System quoted, while in the Boot Menu both of them (WinXP and
Vista) appear!

But my main question remains:
How can I get the functionality of the F8-key in the Boot Menu back in
order
to be able to boot WinXP in Safe Mode???

Many thanks in advance for any help,
sincerely
Tom