help me wid multiple boot xp+vista+server 2003

[ravi_9793]

Frnds...
I had xp sp2 (on drive c:/)and vista rc1(on drive E:/)..These two were working fine.
Today I installed windows server 2003 on my H:/ drive .But after installation I am facing the following peoblem.All c:/ E:/ and H:/ are on same hard disk.

I can log into xp and server 2003 after seleting from multiple boot screen.But cannot log into vista on selecting from boot screen.When I selet vista the screen goes blank and nothing happens.

Plz help me.

[QwertyManiac]

Its because Vista bootloader is a different thing. I dont know how-to but if you fix the MBR via the Vista disc or anyway related to Vista, it'll be fine.

[ravi_9793]

I have found smthing..n i have fixed the problem upto sm extent....
Nw I am at this position:Boot screen shows two option
windows vista
Earlier versions of windows

Both the option work fine.when I clcik on the "Earlier version of windows"..it again shows another boot screen...with following two option:
Microsoft windows xp professional
Window server 2003:enterprice edition

these two are also working fine.

Means nw I can log in all operating system.The only problem is I have two boot screen...
Can any one help me getting one boot screen with all three OS(vista,xp,server 2003) working fine.

During finding solution of this problem..I came to know the following which I want to share:

These issues occur because earlier versions of the Windows operating system are incompatible with the new Windows Vista startup method. Windows Vista uses a new Boot Configuration Database (BCD) store. This store contains a boot menu and all the information about operating systems that are installed on the computer. Therefore, a Boot.ini file that is from an earlier version of the Windows operating system cannot be used to start Windows Vista.

In earlier versions of the Windows operating system that run on a basic input/output system (BIOS)-based computer, such as Windows XP, the boot process starts with the system BIOS. The BIOS determines the boot device, and then loads the first physical sector. This physical sector is named the master boot record (MBR). The MBR contains the partition table and the necessary boot execution code. This code searches the partition table to find the active partition and passes control to the boot sector on the active partition. Then, the boot sector on the active partition loads the Ntldr.exe program. The Ntldr.exe program parses the Boot.ini file. This file is used to enumerate the operating systems that are installed.

When Windows Vista starts on a BIOS-based computer, the BIOS loads the MBR and then loads the boot sector. However, boot code loads the new Windows Boot Manager program (Bootmgr.exe). The Windows Boot Manager program parses the binary coded decimal (BCD) Boot.ini file, enumerates the installed operating systems, and then displays the boot menu. If an earlier version of the Windows operating system is installed in a dual-boot configuration with Windows Vista, the Windows Boot Manager program transfers control to the Ntldr.exe program for the earlier version of the Windows operating system. The Windows Boot Manager program does this when you select Windows Vista from the boot menu.

When you install an earlier version of the Windows operating system on a Windows Vista-based computer, Setup overwrites everything from the MBR, the boot sector, and the boot files. Therefore, the earlier version the Windows operating system loses forward compatibility with Windows Vista.

[crystalboi]

dude atleast tell wat u did to get that BCDboot.ini back....m facing almost similar problem

[techtronic]

Originally Posted by ravi_9793

I have found smthing..n i have fixed the problem upto sm extent....
Nw I am at this position:Boot screen shows two option
windows vista
Earlier versions of windows

Both the option work fine.when I clcik on the "Earlier version of windows"..it again shows another boot screen...with following two option:
Microsoft windows xp professional
Window server 2003:enterprice edition

these two are also working fine.

Means nw I can log in all operating system.The only problem is I have two boot screen...
Can any one help me getting one boot screen with all three OS(vista,xp,server 2003) working fine.

During finding solution of this problem..I came to know the following which I want to share:

These issues occur because earlier versions of the Windows operating system are incompatible with the new Windows Vista startup method. Windows Vista uses a new Boot Configuration Database (BCD) store. This store contains a boot menu and all the information about operating systems that are installed on the computer. Therefore, a Boot.ini file that is from an earlier version of the Windows operating system cannot be used to start Windows Vista.

In earlier versions of the Windows operating system that run on a basic input/output system (BIOS)-based computer, such as Windows XP, the boot process starts with the system BIOS. The BIOS determines the boot device, and then loads the first physical sector. This physical sector is named the master boot record (MBR). The MBR contains the partition table and the necessary boot execution code. This code searches the partition table to find the active partition and passes control to the boot sector on the active partition. Then, the boot sector on the active partition loads the Ntldr.exe program. The Ntldr.exe program parses the Boot.ini file. This file is used to enumerate the operating systems that are installed.

When Windows Vista starts on a BIOS-based computer, the BIOS loads the MBR and then loads the boot sector. However, boot code loads the new Windows Boot Manager program (Bootmgr.exe). The Windows Boot Manager program parses the binary coded decimal (BCD) Boot.ini file, enumerates the installed operating systems, and then displays the boot menu. If an earlier version of the Windows operating system is installed in a dual-boot configuration with Windows Vista, the Windows Boot Manager program transfers control to the Ntldr.exe program for the earlier version of the Windows operating system. The Windows Boot Manager program does this when you select Windows Vista from the boot menu.

When you install an earlier version of the Windows operating system on a Windows Vista-based computer, Setup overwrites everything from the MBR, the boot sector, and the boot files. Therefore, the earlier version the Windows operating system loses forward compatibility with Windows Vista.

I am glad that such a member is a part of this forum
"One who wants to share"

Cheers Buddy