Multi partition boot problem

[pwni]

I have just added Win2k to my system which already had
Windows 98 and two seperate XP installs. Boot.ini now
looks like this.....

[boot loader]
timeout=6
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINNT
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINNT="Microsoft
Windows 2000 Professional" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft
Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft
Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect
C:\="Microsoft Windows"

Since installing 2K last yesterday I have been unable to
boot either of the XP installs. The following message is
displayed immediately the OS starts loading.....

Windows 2000 could not start because the following file is
missing or corrupt.
\windows\system32\config\system

(it says Windows 2000 even though I am attempting to load
XP)

Any ideas how I could fix this?

Thanks
Phil

 

[Kenny]

if an MVP does not offer you a solution, you could try www.osloader.com
boot manager.

--
--
Hope this helps. Let us know.
_____________
Kenny S
foksot2004 at hotmail.com
www.computerboom.net

I have just added Win2k to my system which already had
Windows 98 and two seperate XP installs. Boot.ini now
looks like this.....

[boot loader]
timeout=6
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINNT
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINNT="Microsoft
Windows 2000 Professional" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft
Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft
Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect
C:\="Microsoft Windows"

Since installing 2K last yesterday I have been unable to
boot either of the XP installs. The following message is
displayed immediately the OS starts loading.....

Windows 2000 could not start because the following file is
missing or corrupt.
\windows\system32\config\system

(it says Windows 2000 even though I am attempting to load
XP)

Any ideas how I could fix this?

Thanks
Phil

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Phil,

It's because the XP versions of ntldr and ntdetect.com were overwritten by
the Win2000 versions during setup. THe older versions do not recognize WinXP
for what it is. Boot to any of the working installations, copy those two
files from the I386 folder on the WinXP CD to the boot partition and
overwrite the existing ones. Then reboot and retry entering the WinXP
installs.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Windows
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone

 

[Alex Nichol]

I have just added Win2k to my system which already had
Windows 98 and two seperate XP installs. Boot.ini now
looks like this.....

Since installing 2K last yesterday I have been unable to
boot either of the XP installs. The following message is
displayed immediately the OS starts loading.....

Windows 2000 could not start because the following file is
missing or corrupt.
\windows\system32\config\system

By installing the 2000 *last* you have put on its own versions of the
boot loader (ntldr and ntdetect.com). And these are trying to access
the XP registry in some way that is inappropriate. Set the BIOS to boot
CD before Hard Disk. Boot the XP CD and, instead of Setup, take the
immediate R for Repair. Assume any password requested is blank, and TAB
over. Use a COPY command to copy those two files out of the CD's i386
folder to the root of the partition that handles initial booting

 

[pwni]

Yup - copying the files over worked a treat.

Much thanks to the 3 of you for the help!

Phil