Cannot boot Win7 unless using dual boot option

[goldendry]

Hi all,

I have a Windows XP HD (installed first) on a 250Gb
and a Windows 7 HD on a SSD Vertex 2
They both boot and work perfectly when both connected and selected by the dual boot OS option.

I want to use the 250Gb for storage and so want to format this drive. Windows 7 will not allow this.

I tried taking out this drive, but then Windows 7 would not boot under any configuration of boot drive in BIOS.

I then tried to repair the Windows 7 build using the disc, however, it does not see any disk with an OS on it to repair.

Is there a way to get my Windows 7 OS booting without keeping the older HD with XP on it installed? or without having to re-install Win7 from scratch?


I have read something about the different boot mechanisms between XP and 7, and I'm assuming it has something to do with this. Are there some boot files that can be copied accross from the XP HD to the Win7 one?

Thanks in advance.

 

[SiriusB]

If you boot from the Windows 7 DVD and choose repair, it should have some options for recreating the boot launcher. Make sure the Windows 7 HDD is the only HDD plugged in.

In future it is a good idea to install an OS without any other HDD being present, as by default it puts the boot loader on the primary HDD, in your case the XP partition.

 

[goldendry]

If you boot from the Windows 7 DVD and choose repair, it should have some options for recreating the boot launcher. Make sure the Windows 7 HDD is the only HDD plugged in.

In future it is a good idea to install an OS without any other HDD being present, as by default it puts the boot loader on the primary HDD, in your case the XP partition.

Thanks for the response SiriusB,
I have tried unplugging the other HDD and using the Win7 DVD, but it doesn;t appear to recognise the SSD as having an OS on it to repair. I'll have another look tonight when back from work.

Next time I will make sure I unplug before doing an OS installation!
Will let you know the outcome.

Thanks again.