Ever since Windows Vista came out, a lot of hype has been going around the new bootloader. That's the hype that drove us to create EasyBCD, and that's the same hype that's been driving people to ask all around the web: "Is it possible to install the new Windows Vista bootloader on a non-Vista machine? Can I get XP to use the new Vista bootloader? How can I install the Vista bootloader on my XP-only machine?"
First, a disclaimer: In order to use the Vista bootloader, you'll need some licensed Vista files. The only legal way to get these is by already having Windows Vista legally installed on another machine and grabbing the files from there. Kapish? Second, the answer: Of course you can. And here's how!
- Go to a Vista machine and zip-up the C:\Windows\Boot\ folder.
- Extract those zipped files to the same location on your XP machine. (i.e. you should now have a C:\Windows\Boot\ folder on your XP machine, too).
- Download and install the latest version of EasyBCD.
- Run EasyBCD. When you first start it, it'll tell you what you already know: the Vista bootloader isn't installed! It'll ask if you want to repair it - (obviously) click yes.
- When prompted for the letter of a Vista drive, give it the same drive letter as your XP partition - the one you copied those files to earlier. When asked for the boot drive letter, give the letter of the drive with boot.ini and ntldr (most likely C:\).
- Let EasyBCD "repair" your bootloader and wait for it to finish.
- Once it's done, you'll have a (non-working) entry to boot into Windows Vista - delete it from the "Add/Remove Entries" screen and instead add a new entry for Windows XP.
- Reboot & Enjoy!
5 easy steps (never mind the numbering), and you'll have the Vista bootloader up and running in no time. What you do with it after that.... well, that's up to you.
I am looking for a tool like EasyBCD that will work on all systems from Win98 to XP for my old MS operating systems until I junk them and replace them with Linux. It would be nice if it also worked with Linux and Mac X. I am using Partition Magic (old) and (old) Ghost to capture the OEM image, dumping Vista, installing XP, ripping out all the junk and making my changes and saving the "system" I want. I think Vista sucks.
If you happen to know of a product like this would you please send me the info. at the address listed above. I am looking for a tool that will let me make the changes I want and both Parition Magic (new version) and Ghost (new version) are increasing blocking my attempts to capture a system snapshot building image libraries and multi-boot systems. I am surveying a copy of system commander now and BartPE now.
Thanks, Mike
If you follow the steps in this article on your PC(s), EasyBCD will do just that.
thanks alot..
i could install VistabootPro on the XP, and i also installed .Net freamwork 2.0 before i install the VistabootPro, but the problem was when i go to the System Bootloader tab, and select "Windows Vista Bootloader" in the first section and "All Drives" in the second section, then there is no "Install Bootloader's button" to click.. and also all the tabs are like this"without any buttons under the options"
were u talking about this problem? and is EasyBCD the solution for this problem?
thanks,
Que, KL, Malaysia
This feature is only available in EasyBCD, not in VistaBootPRO.
VistaBootPRO is a broken and a poor imitation of EasyBCD. Grab yourself a copy of EasyBCD from http://neosmart.net/dl.php?id=1 and use it with the instructions above.
I have a new laptop that came with vista preinstalled (drive C). I have installed WinXP on a separate partition (drive D).
What I'd like to know is if I install the Easybcd's bootloader in XP will I set the the vista drive as "C" or do I follow the instructions above to add the vista boot folder to my XP installation?
Also, more importantly, if I use XP to install the bootloader will it automatically recognize the vista install on drive C or will I have to reinstall vista again?
I had tryed using Easybcd in the Vista installation but when I selected the XP os from the bootloader screen on startup I would get a "/ntldr missing" message. When I added the files as instructed per this website, and then selected the XP os from the bootloader screen I would get a very brief "loading windows from drive C:" message and then the screen stayed black and would never load any os.
I'm afraid to keep reinstalling XP. I've activated it twice in three days and I'm certain MS will be after me for a phone call if I continue reinstalling the software.
Thank you for your help.
I have a new Dell Dimension E521 computer that came with vista preinstalled on(drive C). I have installed WinXP on a separate partition (drive D).
What I'd like to know is if I install the Easybcd's bootloader in XP will I set the the vista drive as "C" or do I follow the instructions above to add the vista boot folder to my XP installation?
I've tried boot repair CD's to fix my Vista startup problem but the screen stays black and won't go to the Vista Desktop. XP is so erratic that I'm afraid I'll mess IT up and then I won't be able to use by NEW computer!!
I have a new Dell Dimension E521 computer that came with vista preinstalled on(drive)C but it is Windows Vista Home Premium, version 6 with SMBIOS and nVIDIA technology. I mean the display resolution is like, 1900 something by 1100 something. Which EASYBCD version will work on my vista?
All you have to do is follow the instructions at http://neosmart.net/wiki/display/EBCD/Windows+XP