Installed Server2003 to dual boot w/xp, oops

[mingmychin]

I had a healthy relatively fresh install of XP pro, and I decided to set up a dual boot conficuration with Server2003. I ran setup from within Windows and apparently told it to put the cab files on the drive where wanted to install 2003. I deleted that partition and screwed up everything. Server would not install withoug those files. I finally got it installed but I reboot and get no option to boot XP, only 2003. How can I fix this problem? I tried to go into the recovery console but I don't remember my password to get in. Also, I was told that I could copy NTldr.sys and boot.ne back over to my hard drive and that shoud fix it. Is there any other way to do this or a way to bypass the password to get into recovery console.

Anyone got any ideas?

 

[ForumKB]

you should be able fix this by running a repair install on XP if you can not get in to fix it.


Adrian Paris

Paris Engineering Ltd

http://www.ForumKB.com

Google search of just tech forums & articles
(very useful, honest!)

 

[linney]

How To Use the Recovery Console on a Windows Server 2003-Based Computer That Does Not Start

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326215

Are you an Administrator User in 2003, if so, try that systems Recovery Console?

A Discussion About the Bootcfg Command and Its Uses

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q291/9/80.asp

You may need this article to get into the XP drive from 2003.

How to add more power to Recovery Console by using Group Policy in Windows XP Professional

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310497#appliesto

When you are eventually back in XP go into Group Policy there and Enable the following policy via Local Computer Policy/ Windows Settings/ Local Policies/ Security Options

Recovery console: Allow automatic administrative logon

This security setting determines if the password for the Administrator account must be given before access to the system is granted. If this option is enabled, the Recovery Console does not require you to provide a password, and it automatically logs on to the system.

You could also (when back in XP) Reset the Built-in Administrators password (don't if he has used File Encryption) by logging into XP as an Admin and typing "Control userpasswords2" in the Start Run box and look for the Reset Admin option (bottom of resulting page)

Other options beside a repair install, these will tell you what files to copy across to the System Partition if you want to make a permanent booting repair.

HOW TO: Edit the Boot.ini File in Windows XP (Q289022)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q289/0/22.asp

HOW TO: Create a Boot Disk for an NTFS or FAT Partition in Windows XP(Q305595)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q305/5/95.asp

How to Use System Files to Create a Boot Disk to Guard Against Being Unable to Start Windows XP (Q314079)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q314/0/79.asp

If they don't work you could try repairing windows by running it over itself. You will lose all your windows updates but your files will be untouched.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP (Q315341)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q315/3/41.asp

 

[wolluf]

What was the machine configuration when you started the 2k3 install? You mentioned copying the cab files to the drive where you wanted 2k3 - then deleting that partition. So is this one hard drive - and how many partitions - are they primary or extended with logical drives?

Where did you finally install 2k3 to? (same partition as XP?). Are you sure you've not overwritten XP with 2k3?

The 2k3 boot sector files will boot XP - the XP ones won't boot 2k3, so you want the 2k3 ones in place if you're dual booting.

If you've just installed 2k3, presumably you know the password you set up for admin user - you can use recovery console on that (but not sure what you want to go into recovery console for, as you have a 2k3 installation available to access the machine from). If the XP installation is still there, you can just edit the boot.ini file to include it. Post back with more details if you need to.