Windows – Invalid BOOT.INI (dual boot XP with 7)

64-bitmulti-bootntldrwindows 7

I had Windows XP x64 as my main system, and i also had a second partition with Windows XP x64. Both booted from first partition (C:)

I then installed Windows 7 Ultimate on the first partition. I've added NTLDR using BCDEDIT. I've also copied NTLDR, NTDETECT.COM and BOOT.INI onto the drive where XP remained. However then i try to boot into Windows XP x64 i get

Invalid BOOT.INI file
Booting from c:\windows\
NTDETECT failed

I found instructions on how to fix it using a boot disk, however the partitions are on a software RAID. I've tried to boot from a customized XP CD with the drivers, however it does not offer me a Repair option for some reason – just setup.

Partitions that i have:'=

  • System Reserved
  • Main (Windows 7)
  • Secondary (Windows XP x64)

Here's the contents of my BOOT.INI:

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINDOWS="Windows XP Professional x64 Edition" /fastdetect

Best Answer

It seems like the repair isn't showing up because the CD doesn't see the XP OS.

1.Boot with your custom XP CD with drivers.

  1. Press R to load the Recovery Console.

  2. Type bootcfg.

  3. This should fix any boot.ini errors causing setup not to see the XP OS install.

  4. Try the repair install.

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