So how does a format affect dual boot?

[Crestfallen]

Hi,

I have a bit of a problem with my PC....
It has 3 HDD's; 1 runs Win 7, 1 runs Vista and the 3rd is an old XP install.
Mainly I use the first two, Win 7 for email and general Windows Stuff, and the Vista one is for installing new and exotic programs I've not used before.

The Vista one has now just about died. Windows Explorer crashes and the OS runs so slowly it can't perform a system restore. So I've got to the point where I need to Format and start again.

I have a dual-boot set up with Win 7 as C: and Vista as E:
If I format E: and reinstall Vista how is that going to affect the boot.ini? Is there anything I need to be aware of to avoid stuffing this up?

 

[Nanobot]

I was going to say take a backup of your boot.ini so you know how it is configured, but easier still, try EasyBCD to back up your boot options beforehand.
You need to be careful that Windows 7 hasn't installed its boot manager onto your E: drive. Try detaching your E: drive and see if Windows 7 boots fine before starting anything else. Can't find the article about moving the boot manager but you could probably google it and get a good idea.

 

[Crestfallen]

Hi,

thanks for the advice. The Win 7 boot.ini is definitely on the C: drive, so no probs there.

I guess I'm just going to have to get on with it a see what happens.

Cheers.