Win2K+XP Dual Boot - BEWARE!

[SUOrangeman]

While I have yet to fully verify this, I have encountered (and resolved) an issue regarding Windows 2000 and XP dual/multi-boot configurations. ***IT SEEMS** that the NT Loader that ships with XP Service Pack 1 is **OLDER** than the version that ships with 2K Service Pack 3.

"What does this mean?"

Well, if you have already installed SP3 on Win2K and later install SP1 on XP, then it is very likely that you WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BOOT Win2K. No, your Win2K files aren't damaged or missing (the boot error that is reported states that \WINNT\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM is corrupt or missing). However, the older NTLDR apparently cannot handle the new SP3 files (for whatever reason). A few MS KnowledgeBase articles talk about the ill effects of older NTLDR files.

"How can I prevent this?"

First, make a backup of your C: drive. (If you've followed my advice in the past, your C: drive doesn't contain either OS, just the boot files and possibly temp or swap space). If you've already installed 2K-SP3 and want to proceed with XP-SP1, have that backup handy. Chances are that you will need to restore the boot files after you apply XP-SP1 in order to boot 2K again.

If you have not upgraded to 2K-SP3 nor XP-Sp1, I suggest you install XP-SP1 first.

Hope this helps.

-SUO

 

[Poontos]

Interassting. Thanks for the tip!

Once the backup is made, do you simply overwrite the contents of the boot drive (C with the backup you made previous to installing XP SP1, then all should be OK?

 

[SUOrangeman]

Try booting into Win2K after you've applied SP1 to XP. I may just be off my rocker. I just happened to have an image of my boot drive (C: ) from a month-and-a-half ago. I overwrote my existing C: with the older image and everything works fine. (I'd like to thank the fine folks behind Ghost. )

Again, you should only need to do this if you've already applied Sp3 to Win2K, but you are about to apply SP1 to XP.

-SUO

 

[bacillus]

excellent info!

 

[CougarsLair]

SUOrangeman, I think you are correct in your diagnosis.

I had posted this several days ago:

"Hi guys,

Heres the scenario:

Ive just upgraded my system with new motherboard, cpu etc. I have however kept my original harddrives (trying to avoid reinstall - at least in the short term).
My system is set up as a dual boot Win2k pro and XP pro.
When I tried to boot from my original drives i got bsod from both startups - not too surprised as the mainboards different (old one RAID new one is not).
Anyway, I repaired the XP Pro install (with the XP boot CD)and got it working - great I thought now do the same with the 2K installation. Used the 2K CD this time and repaired the 2K install - and yep this starts fine.

Now the problem:

When I tried to restart in XP I got the "following file is missing corrupt message.. ..\system32\config\systemd"

So I checked Win 2k and it starts fine. Okay I thought do repair of XPPro again... Yep got it working and it boots okay.
Now reboot into 2k Pro - what the !! Same message again "Windows couldnt start because the following file is missing or corrupt \winnt\system32\config\system"

I have done this 3 times now and I am able to repair one or the other but not both - please help..."



I followed CleverHandle's link to the FAQ advising on recopying the ntldr/ntdetect files to repair a broken dualboot, and it didnt seem to work - read on to find out why...

I now know why - I was being clever in copying the ntldr/ntdetect files from my XP pro cd which I had made with SP1 slipstreamed into it. After reading your post I suddenly realised to try copying the files off my original XP CD and yippee it worked. BTW - out of interest I copied the files off the slipstreamed SP1 cd and it stopped me loading 2k - kinda confirms your deductions.

Ive been fighting with this for several frustating days now.

Thanxs SUOrangeman youve got my system fully functional again.