Boot Problem after using XP CD recovery console running bootcfg /rebuild

I have two duplicate (including operating system) drives on my computer, one for backup. One wouldn't start up, saying disk failure, failure to boot. I used the XP CD recovery console to bootcfg /rebuild. I now have a working boot, but whenever I try to start my computer, I get the boot failure message. If I continue to tap the down arrow, it does start up, but something has messed up the automatic function. What can be done to fix this?

 

Barry, that sounds a lot like a case of cloning that was not done properly. How did you set up the dual boot? Did you install both copies separately using the XP installation CD or did you clone it?

There are many pitfalls to merely cloning XP and then trying to dual boot it. If you are not adept at that level, you'll quickly get the Registries of one or both of the systems corrupted. It can be useful but you must realize the limitations and act accordingly. It may work for a time but eventually it will crash if you don't stay within its limits.

The above commants apply if you clone XP from the Primary drive to a secondary drive. They also apply if you deploy an image of XP to another drive.

At this time, there is a better way of doing the job that will avoid the pitfalls I have mentioned. Fortunately, you can get the software to do it for free. The program is called XXCLONE. The freeware version has all the power of the registered version except for the ability to make Incremental Backups.

You can read some comments from the author HERE. His name is Kan Yabumoto so scroll down on that link to his comments. Also read the info provided on the XXCLONE site.

It's hard to dual boot multiple XP copies troublefree since MS has many preventative measures that will eventually trip you up. I have used XXCLONE and can assure you that it works. It also has an advanced feature that repairs the MBR and can edit/update the boot.ini and rewrite the boot sector.

BTW, I have also tried doing it all of the other ways. I always ended up in the condition that you are now.

HTH

 

I understand the complications of cloning. I actually discovered a way of doing it using Ghost that I posted previously. This isn't such a case. Both hard drives are separate and have worked well for quite a while. I just have two separate systems so that I always have access to the internet and access to my files, even if one crashes. This was not a cloned boot. I followed microsoft's instructions:
Restart with XP CD
Press any key to boot from CD
Press R to start Recovery Console
When prompted, type the administrator password and then enter
At the command prompt, type bootcfg /list then press enter
At the command prompt, type bootcfg /rebuild and then enter
Add installation to boot list? Y
Load Identifier: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Load options: /fastdetect then enter
Type exit then press enter to exit and restart

I did all this, then went into My Computer - properties - advanced - startup / Recovery Settings - Edit to delete the old boot ID.
It works fine, as long as I continue to tap the down arrow while restarting. If I don't press the down arrow, I get the boot failure message.
Any other suggestions?

 

OK Barry, I understand. Still, you might want to check out XXCLONE since it has some advanced features that can repair the MBR and can edit/update the boot.ini and rewrite the boot sector. That sounds like something that may help you. It can even duplicate the volume id which helps in some cases of software compatibility in cloned drives.
HTH

 

I'll download it and give it a shot. Thanks.

 

When I attempt to Write MBR, write Boot Sector or Write BOOT,INI, XXCLONE Error notes come up saying: "The NTLDR file not found in the source volume" and "The NTDETECT.COM file not found in the source volume. "
I think I'll need some help in using this program.

 

Two possibilities there.

1. Be sure you have the Source Volume and Target Volume set correctly. Source would be C: drive or Primary drive and Target would be your cloned drive.

2. If you were set correctly and still got that message, it would indicate the your Primary drive is missing the bootloader files. If that be true, try reversing the Source and Target drives and repeat the restore operation.

Given your symptoms, it add credibility to the fact that the bootloader files are indeed missing on the Primary drive. That would explain your boot problem. If neither of the above cures the boot problem, you will need to use another method to place the bootloader files back on the root of the Primary drive where they belong. You can either copy them from your original XP install CD by booting to the Recovery Console or use an "XP Quick Boot" floppy to boot the system and copy them from it to the root.

 

Sorry it took me so long to respond, but I wanted to let you know that XXCLONE did work fine. I don't know the reason it gave me the error messages, but it wrote a good boot.ini. I just needed to restart the computer. Everything is working fine now. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

Thanks for posting back with the good news Barry. Sometime we have things fixed and just need to poll the system again to update it with the good news.

All the best.