Roffen Posted August 14, 2014 Share Posted August 14, 2014 I have two partitions on a 128GB SSD. 1st partition used to be my primary, boot partition (XP), but I could also boot Win7 on 2nd partition. I had to reinstall Win7 on 2nd part, and it has now been set to be the "start" partition. Is it possible, and how would I do it if I want to make part1 the "start" partition? I mostly use XP only because Outlook Express is the only newsreader I like:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaclaz Posted August 14, 2014 Share Posted August 14, 2014 (edited) Sure it is possible .You will need to go back and re-read the old thread:http://www.msfn.org/board/topic/156859-drive-order/ But right now you should have on your first partition (the one containing XP):NTLDRBOOT.INIgrldrBOOTMGR <- maybe or maybe not \boot\BCD <- maybe or maybe not And on the second one (the one containing the Windows 7 - provided that it has been made active):BOOTMGR\boot\BCD In order to verify that everything is fine, you may want to copy from the root of first partition the files:BOOT.INIgrldrto the root of second partition. Reboot and you should have now a choice between Windows 7 and grub4dos. Please verify/confirm the above and I will guide you through the commands/changes needed. jaclaz Edited August 14, 2014 by jaclaz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roffen Posted August 14, 2014 Author Share Posted August 14, 2014 Fine jaclaz, all files have survived. Booting as it is now, I get the choice you describe. So I guess I am ready for the next step. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaclaz Posted August 15, 2014 Share Posted August 15, 2014 Good. So, most probably your booting now is:MBR->Bootsector of Active partition (2nd one)->BOOTMGR (on 2nd partition)->\boot\BCD+BOOT.INI (just added to 2nd partition)-> Either Windows 7 or grub4dos To make sure this is the case, you should boot, choose grub4dos and press "c" t get to a command prompt.At it type:root (hd0,0)[ENTER]this will establish root to first partition (I am assuming that the SSD iis first disk on the system, as it usually is).Then issue:chainloader +1[ENTER]and boot[ENTER]this chainloads the bootsector of the first partition and you should be at the same \boot\BCD choices you had before the reinstall (the one comprising XP, 7 and grub4dos). Verify by rebooting that all choices boot fine. If they do, all you have to do is to re-access the grub4dos command line and issue the commands:makeactive --status (hd0,1)[ENTER]this will allow you to check that the currently active partition is the 2nd one.then issue:makeactive (hd0,0)[ENTER]this will make the First partition active, and at next reboot you will be booting "as before". jaclaz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roffen Posted August 19, 2014 Author Share Posted August 19, 2014 I've been offline waiting for a replacement for a defect modem that died during a thunderstorm here. Yes, I've found that all is well with the system, I get the options Previous system - boots XP on 1st SSD partitionWindows 7 - boots Win7 (Home ed) on 2nd partition.grub4dos I have two other disks on the system but I don't think any of them have a working OS. I believe the sensible thing for me to do now is to replace the Home Edition with a Windows 7 Professional Edition - the drive where I had Win7P before broke down. If that's what I do I shouldn't need to do anything, just leave the grub4dos option just in case I'd want to use it later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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