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Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Terbs on 02 November 2012, 23:27:21

Title: Computer advice..boot manager
Post by: Terbs on 02 November 2012, 23:27:21

 Hi all you buffs ;)

I have two computers, one with Windows 7 64bit on one drive, (SATA) and Windows seven 32bit on another drive (IDE). When I boot up, I get a boot manager screen, and can choose which OS to boot from. Perfect

On my second computer, I have a SATA drive with Windows 7 64 loaded, and a second drive (IDE) with Windows XP loaded. Both systems work fine. However, when I boot up, I do not get a boot manager screen, giving me the option of booting into Windows 7 or XP.

Obviously, going to BIOS and changing boot priority works fine, but this is a pain. As computer one shows an option screen, why does computer two not display the same.
 
I have been into the Control Panel route to boot manager, and it only lists Windows 7. No sign of XP. Is this an XP/7 clash. I seem to remember a while back, having two XP drives, I was given the option of which drive to boot from.

Sorry this is long winded, but it explains exactly what is happening :y

Tony

Title: Re: Computer advice..boot manager
Post by: dbug on 03 November 2012, 02:27:26

Easy solution - use a 3rd party boot manager.

A free (good) one is GAG - you can download it from here (http://gag.sourceforge.net/download.html)

HTH  :y

Title: Re: Computer advice..boot manager
Post by: Martian on 03 November 2012, 09:50:45

Quote from: terbert on 02 November 2012, 23:27:21

Obviously, going to BIOS and changing boot priority works fine, but this is a pain. As computer one shows an option screen, why does computer two not display the same.

Because Win XP wasn't present when Win 7 was installed.

Title: Re: Computer advice..boot manager
Post by: Plomien on 03 November 2012, 10:02:45

you can adjust the boot.ini file but I expect that is what the program dbug suggested does

Title: Re: Computer advice..boot manager
Post by: TheBoy on 03 November 2012, 20:29:55

Quote from: Plomien on 03 November 2012, 10:02:45

you can adjust the boot.ini file but I expect that is what the program dbug suggested does

This is what I would do.  I have a natural distrust of programs downloaded from net that require admin rights ::)

Title: Re: Computer advice..boot manager
Post by: Terbs on 04 November 2012, 16:48:24

Thanks for replies....now sorted, via your advice :y

So Mark, for future reference, is it a case of loading the 'older' windows system first, then the updated version ;)

Tony

Title: Re: Computer advice..boot manager
Post by: TheBoy on 04 November 2012, 19:03:37

Quote from: terbert on 04 November 2012, 16:48:24

Thanks for replies....now sorted, via your advice :y

So Mark, for future reference, is it a case of loading the 'older' windows system first, then the updated version ;)

Tony

Generally that works better, as the "newer" one should be more aware of the older one.

Though XP doesn't really play nicely with anything. Lets face it, its nearly 12yrs old, and should be retired. MS are pulling the plug, at last, in 2014 IIRC

Title: Re: Computer advice..boot manager
Post by: Martian on 04 November 2012, 21:07:03

Quote from: terbert on 04 November 2012, 16:48:24

Thanks for replies....now sorted, via your advice :y

So Mark, for future reference, is it a case of loading the 'older' windows system first, then the updated version ;)

Tony

In the case of Windows, that is how it's done.
If you want to start "mixing & matching" though (ie, Windows, OSX, *nix, etc), then the above rule won't necessarily apply.