Mistaken dual-boot won't undo

[Guest]

I *will* try to a=make this as short as possible, but . . .

Got a new computer, loaded XP Pro, 4 partitions on drive (C, D, E, F), got
it up and running.

Popped in drive from "old" machine to copy data over - running XP Home, 3
partitions, (C, D, E)

"Old" drive took over drive letters C, D, E, when machine starts, dual boot
screen comes up.

Have now copied data files, but new drive will not boot without CD if I try
to unhook the old drive.

Since the long story of this took days and days, I also managed somehow to
get XP Pro activated on the old drive, and need to know how to get it off and
reinstal XP Home.
But the big problem is the dual boot problem and not being able to get into
the new drive without the disk if I take out the old drive out, as well as
the munched up partition letters.

Hope someone can help . . .
Winnow the chaff if you want to send me an e-mail

 

[DL]

Looks like you screwed up when you added the old drive.
Disconect old drive, ensure current drive (assuming IDE) is set as master,
reboot.
If no go Repair the win installation
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
Once you have verified the installation is OK
Shutdown, reconnect old drive as slave and reboot.
Copy data across, then once you are sure you have recovered everything;
If you you wish to use the old drive, with xphome on old PC, Connect as
master in old PC then clean install xphome
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
The above assumes IDE drives, not sata

 

[Guest]

Thanks for that information.

Problem is, only the old drive with C, D and E is IDE. F, G, H and I
partitions on the new drive which is SATA.

Any new hints based on this information?

TIA,

 

[DL]

Broadly the same;
Connect sata drive only, you may have to enable boot from sata/scsi in bios,
reboot, if no go repair the win installation - you may have to F6 early in
the process to install sata/raid drivers from floppy - Also depending on
your mobo there maybe a specific sata connector for the boot drive, you need
to check mobo manual as to if there are any specific instructions for a
sata, none raid boot drive.
Once winxp running ok, if you need data off the other hd, connect other hd
as master, ensure bios boot order is set to sata, and reboot

 

[Guest]

Thanks DL. I'll try those as soon as I get the chance. Sounds reasonable,
and now I'm wondering if I may have forgotten to install a driver, or mucked
up the boot sequence in the BIOS.

I'll let you know.