XP Dual Boot/Bootmagic Problem..

[Dave]

I setup my computer with two XP-Pro installations managed by Bootmagic,
as follows...


Partition1 500Mb For use by Bootmagic FAT32
Partition2 30Gb Xp Pro 'Internet' NTFS
Partition3 30Gb Xp Pro 'Clean' NTFS
Partition4 95Gb 'Drive D:' NTFS

'Drive D:' is visible to both OS's


The 'Internet' installation became corrupt so I re-installed XP Pro over
the top of it. On rebooting, Bootmagic was disabled (as expected) and
the usual OS Multiboot Menu appeared. I assumed the second option to be
my 'Clean' OS, and continued to setup the first option as my new
'Internet' OS. So far so good...

When I tried to reboot into my 'Clean' OS, I got a message saying "
Cannot load user profiles for this user, loading defaults instead".
When I looked at the installed software, I saw all the programs from the
'Internet' OS instead of the 'Clean' OS?? I guessed this might be
because Bootmagic was not being used to hide the partitions properly(?).
I enabled Bootmagic,rebooted, used the familiar BM Menu to select the
second OS, and was then presented with the XP Multiboot Menu? Choosing
the second option got me back to the XP installation with the wrong
programs...

I know there are two XP installations.
Can anyone please tell me what's the easiest(QUICKEST!) way to get them
both working again WITHOUT re-formatting?

If you need more details, please ask...



message posted to:-

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microsoft.public.windowsxp.configuration_manage
uk.comp.os.ms-windows

 

[ducky801]

I setup my computer with two XP-Pro installations managed by Bootmagic,
as follows...


Partition1 500Mb For use by Bootmagic FAT32
Partition2 30Gb Xp Pro 'Internet' NTFS
Partition3 30Gb Xp Pro 'Clean' NTFS
Partition4 95Gb 'Drive D:' NTFS

'Drive D:' is visible to both OS's


The 'Internet' installation became corrupt so I re-installed XP Pro over
the top of it. On rebooting, Bootmagic was disabled (as expected) and
the usual OS Multiboot Menu appeared. I assumed the second option to be
my 'Clean' OS, and continued to setup the first option as my new
'Internet' OS. So far so good...

When I tried to reboot into my 'Clean' OS, I got a message saying "
Cannot load user profiles for this user, loading defaults instead".
When I looked at the installed software, I saw all the programs from the
'Internet' OS instead of the 'Clean' OS?? I guessed this might be
because Bootmagic was not being used to hide the partitions properly(?).
I enabled Bootmagic,rebooted, used the familiar BM Menu to select the
second OS, and was then presented with the XP Multiboot Menu? Choosing
the second option got me back to the XP installation with the wrong
programs...

I know there are two XP installations.
Can anyone please tell me what's the easiest(QUICKEST!) way to get them
both working again WITHOUT re-formatting?

why don't you wanna reformat? save all of your important stuff to your
D: drive, reformat/reinstall, copy back

AR

 

[Dave]

why don't you wanna reformat? save all of your important stuff to your
D: drive, reformat/reinstall, copy back

AR

I would, but there's not enough room to back everything up. Yes I know
I'm a dummy.

Here's the latest...

I ran bootcfg /rebuild from the recovery console after advice from
another forum, and here's what I got...

Bootcfg found 3 OS's.

1; C:\Windows -- I assume this to be my 'Internet System'.
2; L:\Windows -- and this, my 'Clean System'.
3; something..\temp\Ghost\blahblah.... -- This has probably been found
in a GhostImage File stored on the harddisk.


Selecting Option 1 gets me into the 'InternetSystem'.
I have to activate Windows before I can login, but then it works as before.


Selecting Option 2 (Clean System) gives me the correct login screen for
this OS and prompts me to activate windows, which I do before I can log
on and see a blank StartMenu (No programs at all).
When I look at the Add/Remove Programs list I see the correct
Program List for 'Clean System', but when I look at Drive C: I see
'Internet System' Drive C: instead.


Selecting Option 3 doesnt work (for obvious reasons).

Why am I see the same 'Drive C:' in both OS's?
Where did the other one go!?

Any ideas?

 

[Dr Teeth]

I was just thinking how wonderful life was, when Dave

The 'Internet' installation became corrupt so I re-installed XP Pro over
the top of it. On rebooting, Bootmagic was disabled (as expected) and
the usual OS Multiboot Menu appeared.

This is where you are going wrong. When I install multiple versions of
Windows, I am installing into the only active partition...so there is
no cross over.

Your problem is, AIUI, due to your boot.ini files referencing more
than one partition.

After I have installed the 2nd OS, one needs to make the first once
active. I install PM into each partition so use that. Once you have
booted into the 1st OS, set up BootMagic after RTFM.

I used to have five OSs installed without any problems. Two
version/flavours Linux, Win XP (twice) and Win 98 SE.

Good luck.

--
Cheers,

Guy

** Stress - the condition brought about by having to
** resist the temptation to beat the living daylights
** out of someone who richly deserves it.

 

[Dave]

This is where you are going wrong. When I install multiple versions of
Windows, I am installing into the only active partition...so there is
no cross over.

Your problem is, AIUI, due to your boot.ini files referencing more
than one partition.

Thanks, this is exactly the thought that woke me this morning.
All sorted now, thankfully WITHOUT having to re-install anything.

)