...Hi guys I decided to write down a little tutorial on how to install Windows 7's bootloader (bootmgr) in a computer with only Windows XP installed.
But why are you writing such a tutorial? you may ask. Then I'll answer with another question. Are you able to make a multiboot system that loads a lot of useful OS such as Puppy Linux, LiveXP, PloP boot manager (a useful tool that allow you to boot your computer from other devices such as USB stick on old computer that can't boot from that device) and all things? Well with bootmgr YOU CAN thanks a little tool called EasyBCD. Unfortunately you can use this software only if bootmgr is installed and that requires you to install Win7 or Vista. How can you use this bootloader without having to install the whole windows 7? It's easy! Follow this steps
1. Download and install NetFramework (it should be required by EasyBCD in order to work)
2. Download my package
here
3. Run the package and extract it on your boot drive (it is pointed to extract it into the %systemdrive% folder)
4. Install EasyBCD (the installer will start after the extraction is finished)
Now we have a bootmgr installed but NOT CONFIGURED (without entries in his registry) so follow my steps to configure it
1. To make sure that your system will reboot correctly the next boot download
MobaLiveCD
2. Now start EasyBCD
3. Click on
Add Boot Entry
Now let's look in the Operating system's entry
4. Choose the type of your operating system (NT/2k/XP/2k3)
5. Name it whatever you want (Microsoft Windows XP)
5. Make sure that
Automatically detect correct drive is checked (it will detect Windows XP's bootloader automatically)
6. Click on Add Entry and look at the status bar: a message that says that your entry was added to the bootmgr configuration should appear
Now do this for make sure that your system will boot up next time
1. Click in the
BCD Deployment button
2. Look in the MBR Configuration section
3. Check
Install the Windows Vista/7 bootloader to the MBR
4. Click on
Write MBR
5. Reboot or Start MobaLiveCD (I suggest you to start MobaLiveCD)
6. Click on Start LiveUSB
7. Select
c: [your disk label] and click
OK
8. Choose
NO when it asks if you want to create a Virtual HD
Is your system booting up? (does it show the white bar that shows you the loading process of XP?) than it works!
Now Let's Install the Plop Boot Manager (optional but usefoul and if you don't like it you can always remove it)
1. Open EasyBCD
2. Click on
Add Boot Entry
3. Look in the
Portable/External Media section
4. Choose BIOS Extender and Click on
Install PLoP
As you can see you can boot from VHD files, Install Grub (Usefoul for that tutorial of the
Universal VHD), run floppy images, ISOs, etc
Do you like your new bootloader?
other useful tricks can be found on EasyBCD's wiki (
here)
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HOW TO RESTORE YOUR WINDOWS XP BOOTLOADER
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If you booted your Hardisk Using MobaLiveCD and it's not working and you want to restore WinXP bootloader follow this steps:
1.Run EasyBCD
2.Click on BCD Deployment
3.Look in the MBR Configuration options section
4.Check Install the Windows XP Bootloader to MBR
5.Click to Write MBR
Look if your WinXP is working fine now
