Removing Vista from Dual boot with XP

[GlasseyeUK]

Ok, I installed Vista alongside XP, as a dual boot, with XP being in the C: partition and Vista on the F: partition.

I made a mistake of installing ultramon, which is totally uncompatible, and if you do try to install it, then make sure you untick install mirror as it completely messes up vista.

I have tried numerous fixes as recommended on the intraweb but can't get it sorted, the other aspect of it, is that my p910i is not compatible with vista, well the software isn't so I am going to remove Vista, for the time being.

So the long way round to getting to the question is, if I just format the F: partition will this return my system to normal, or do I have to do a complete reinstall of XP, which I really don't want to do, as XP is set up just the way I like it...

 

[Celegorm]

I believe once you format the f drive, all you will need to do is repair the master boot record.

To repair it, pop in your XP CD and boot off of it. At the first screen press 'R'. If it asks for a Admin password and you do not have one set, just press enter. When it gets to a point where it is virtually like command prompt(after pass word) type fixboot (enter) It'll ask if you are sure, type "y". Then type "fixmbr" and press enter.

Restart your computer and it should boot into XP no problem. Just as a note, don't use the quotes while in the recovery console.

 

[dude_se]

this is because vista uses the new bcdedit boot menu and if you format the partition it will be wiped out and the computer wont know whats going on. so doing what celegorm says will revert back to using boot.ini

 

[GlasseyeUK]

Ok so doing this all, should return it back to my original settings?

maybe I should back everything up to be on the safe side.........would be a real nightmare to lose the way this is all set up.....

 

[dude_se]

yep it will go back to xp on its own. theres not much risk of things going wrong. even if the fixmbr fails you could just reinstall vista to get the boot menu back, but thats worst case scenario

 

[Raffaz]

Always backup before doing this stuff, if the above commands fail then use the bootcfg /rebuild command and that will definately sort it, dont use this till ya have tried the others (which should work anyway)

 

[GlasseyeUK]

All worked fine, and now it is back to normal........probably gonna give it another 6 months before trying Vista again....