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mikehende
09-22-2006, 08:58 AM
I partitioned my Dell XPS T450 12GB HDD into 2 equal parts and loaded XP Pro on the C drive and Win2k on the D drive, when I choose win2k this boots fine to windows but when I choose XP I get an error message:

"Windows 2000 could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\windows\system32\config\system
Startup options for Windows 2000, press F8

You can attempt to repair this file by starting windows 2000Setup using the original Setup floppy disc or cd-rom. Select "r" at the first screen to start repair."

I did not want to follow these directions without seeking the advice of you guys here sicne when I choose win2k it boots and works fine so I don't see why when I choose XP it makes reference to reapring win2k? Any ideas/advice please?
golfmore
09-22-2006, 09:38 AM
When you installed Win2K, did you do it through XP?
mikehende
09-22-2006, 10:05 AM
Sorry, don't understand the question? I installed XP first on the C drive, rebooted checked around to that everything is ok in windows, shut down rebooted with Win2k and installed on the D drive.
Just Me
09-22-2006, 10:18 AM
Sorry, don't understand the question? I installed XP first on the C drive, rebooted checked around to that everything is ok in windows, shut down rebooted with Win2k and installed on the D drive.

That is your problem. The older operating system must be installed first. When you installed XP first and then installed Win2000, it overwrote the boot.ini file effectively removing XP from the mix. You can try to edit the boot.ini file on c: drive but your best bet would be to re-install Win222 on c: drive and then install XP on d: drive. The boot manager in XP will setup your boot.ini file to give you the option as to which operating system you want to boot to.
golfmore
09-22-2006, 10:26 AM
If I'm not mistaken, you would install XP, then boot to it, then run the Win2K CD from inside XP and install it where ever you want it. I believe that handles the boot.ini correctly.
mikehende
09-22-2006, 02:28 PM
The older operating system must be installed first.

My stupid mistake, forgot about this in Meyer's book, appreciate the help, it works fine now, thanks!:)