more and more users install dual systems, but the startup and maintenance of multiple systems has been a headache, such as WindowsXP (hereafter referred to as WinXP) + Windows7 The user (hereafter referred to as Win7), if there is a problem with the boot file Bootmgr or BCD boot configuration, it often causes two systems to fail to enter. This article and everyone discuss the use of XRLDR (a lightweight multi-boot management tool) to achieve WinXP, Win7, WinPE three systems independently start the method and skills.
understand the basics of multi-boot
before using XRLDR Let's take a look at the system start-knowledge, which would allow us to better understand and configure multiple systems start. The system generally starts the program on the hard disk: power-on self-test → load the hard disk master boot record (MBR) → search and activate the system boot file → load the boot configuration file → load the system core file → complete the boot. For example
install Win7 dual system user based on WinXP, Win7 after installation it changes using the master boot record and manage multiple Bootmgr system startup. Its boot process is: load the NT60 master boot record after self-test, then find the boot file "C:Bootmgr" and activate it, then load "C:?oot?cd" to start the configuration file and list multiple boot. If you select "Windows7", Bootmgr will configure the BCD startup information, hand over control to "Winload.exe" in the Win7 system directory, and then start Win7. If you choose an older version of Windows, Bootmgr will give control to "NTLDR" and then start WinXP (common system boot files and boot record formats are shown in the following table).
common system boot files
Tip: hard disk master boot record and the specific operating system and are not necessarily linked, it is a piece of code before the operating system starts to load. The difference between different types of boot records is the difference in loading boot files, such as NT60 records, which will look for "C:Bootmgr" and load it. Bootmgr can boot either WinXP or Linux. The specific system that can be booted is determined by the system startup configuration file. For example, after the "C:NTLDR" startup configuration is written to the BCD, Bootmgr can start the WinXP system.
start the process can be seen from the above conventional dual boot system mainly has the following deficiencies:
1. Multi-boot is completed by the first partition, and therefore does not work once the first partition (such as suffering from virus damage), it will lead to all systems can not start.
2. Multi-boot files are stored in the first partition, and depends on Boootmgr single file, once the file has been misuse (such as BCD error startup configuration file editing) or accidentally deleted, will result in multi-system Startup failed.
order to solve the lack of multi-boot, we can own multiple systems start to transform. Firstly, the startup files of each system are copied to their respective partitions, and then the independent startup of each partition system is realized by XRLDR configuration, so that the multi-system startup can get rid of the dependence on the first partition and the single startup file, and the process comparison before and after the transformation is shown.
Note: Based on the C drive to install WinXP plus D disk to install Win7 dual system installation, for example, to make it easier for maintenance, I also installed the E disk WinPE system.
combat: multiple systems each start
know from the above description, the transformation copy multi-boot operating system boot files first step you want to each respective sector, due to the simple copy and boot files The system cannot be started, and the system startup must be configured after the copy is completed. The following describes how to perform specific operations for different systems. .
PartⅠ achieve independence WinXP WinXP start
we know is through "C: NTLDR" started for the install Win7 install WinXP users after the first, we just change the hard disk master boot record The NT52 format is fine. After entering WinXP, copy the downloaded "bootsect.exe" to the C drive, then start the command prompt tool and type "c:?ootsect.exe/nt52c:". When the prompt "Bootcodewassuccessfullyupdatedonalltargetedvolumes." appears on the screen, it means successful. The master boot record is changed to NT52 format. Now restart the system will automatically load NTLDR to start WinXP (the Bootmgr boot manager interface will not appear again).
Tip: For WinXP install Win7 users on the basis of, do not use these commands to change the master boot record, or the consequences of the two systems can not enter will appear. After changing to the NT52 format, the hard disk master boot record will look for the NTLDR file in the root directory of the first partition (the NT60 format is looking for Bootmgr). .
PartⅡ achieve Win7 independent startup after
done, reboot the system into WinXP, the "C:? Ootmgr" file, "C:? Oot" all cut to the entire directory D Packing directory. Then run the downloaded "bcdtool.exe" and click "Start Configuration → Open" to open the "d:?oot?cd" configuration file. Select "Edit → Delete Startup Project" to delete all the original startup projects. Then select "Edit → New Vista Startup Project", select the new project, double-click the "device" item in the right pane, and change it to "partition=D:" (the drive letter is changed according to the specific partition of Win7 installation) , "description" (start menu display name) is changed to "Windows7".
After these startup configuration file and move, as long as we can load "D:? Ootmgr", Win7 can be started from the D drive (Bootmgr load needs the XRLDR configuration).
PartⅢ. WinPE achieve independence
start due to start Win7 often need the help of WinPE to fix, so in order to facilitate Win7 system maintenance, we can also manually install the local hard disk WinPE system. Just prepare the Win7 installation CD, open the CD and copy all the files except the "disc directory sourcesinstall.wim" file to the E disk to complete the installation.
last set - after the unified management of multi-system
complete the configuration of the three systems, is now entering the WinXP system, run the downloaded XRLDR, click "Install /Configure" to enter the configuration interface . In the preview screen is selected, "a first operating system" are sequentially set as follows:
1. Start the radio mode "from the file start", select the NTLDR startup file (for starting WinXP, Win7 start and WinPE Then select Bootmgr).
2. Select the boot partition first partition (the partition WinXP i.e., other systems according to the specific partition selection).
3. System Type Select "NTLDR /BOOTMGR", and check the "start to activate the primary partition boot."
4. Change the menu text "WindowsXP", then click "Generate" (font, color, size and other settings according to their preferences). Other parameters take the default settings.
5. operation above, followed by the startup configuration Win7 and WinPE system, and finally click "write to disk" to complete the changes to the master boot record.
OK, now just reboot the computer, we will be able to choose their favorite system into (the default when you start next time you start the system in the boot last selected multi-boot menu, default startup system can be carried out in XRLDR Settings).
above three systems are independent startup, such as selecting the Win7 to enter, open the "Computer Management → Storage → Disk Management", you can see both Win7 system partition is the partition boot partition, indicating its start Does not depend on the first partition.
Tip: What is the system partition, boot partition? According to the Microsoft help documentation, a system partition is a partition that contains the hardware-specific files needed to load Windows (such as Bootmgr). The system partition can be (not necessarily) the same as the boot partition. A boot partition is a partition that contains the Windows operating system and its supporting files. In the case of the traditional WinXP+Win7, its system partition is the first partition for Win7 (because the specific files required to load Windows such as Bootmgr and Boot boot directory are in the partition), the boot partition is the second partition (because the Windows operating system directory) In the partition). Here, the system partition and the boot partition are combined to indicate that the partition contains system files and boot files, which indicates that the system is autonomously and independently started.
After the above transformation, we have achieved WinXP, Win7, WinPE three system independent startup, which gives us a great deal of routine maintenance convenience. For example, before the transformation, the Bootmgr file was deleted by mistake. After restarting, it is impossible to start multiple systems. Now, you can enter the WinXP system. You can fix the startup problem of Win7 system by copying Bootmgr to D disk on other computers. Similarly, if Win7's BCD menu fails, we can also enter WinPE and use the Bcdboot command for quick fixes.
Even computer experts, often encounter multi-system boot failure, and once the fault can not start to produce, maintain that it may time-consuming and laborious. This paper provides a different approach for multi-system maintenance. It is independently booted by XRLDR to realize independent startup of each system. If you have installed multiple systems and have experienced excessive system startup failures, then try the methods described in this article to greatly reduce your maintenance.