Windows Vista no longer starts after you install an earlier version of the Windows operating system in a dual-boot configuration

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SUMMARY

When you install an earlier version of the Windows operating system on a Windows Vista-based computer in a dual-boot configuration, Windows Vista may not start. This article describes how to configure the hard disk partition to enable Windows Vista to start.

This article is intended for a beginning to intermediate computer user.

You may find it easier to follow the steps if you print this article first.

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Symptoms of the problem

Windows Vista no longer starts after you install an earlier version of the Windows operating system on a Windows Vista-based computer in a dual-boot configuration. Additionally, you may receive the following error message when you try to start Windows Vista:

Disk read error has occurred.

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Steps to resolve the problem

To resolve this problem, follow these steps to configure the hard disk partition on which Windows Vista is installed.

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Step 1: Insert the Windows Vista installation disc in a drive, and then open a command prompt

Insert the Windows Vista installation disc in the computer's CD or DVD drive.
Click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, and then click Command Prompt.

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Step 2: Use the Bcdedit tool to configure the hard disk partition on which Windows Vista is installed

At the command prompt, type cd %windir%. Note the drive letter that is displayed at the command prompt. This drive letter indicates which drive is associated with the active partition on the hard disk. Typically, this is the C drive.
Type Drive:\boot\Bootsect.exe –NT60 All, and then press ENTER.

Note Drive is the drive in which the Windows Vista installation media is located. Typically, this is the computer's DVD drive (the E drive).
Type %windir%\system32\Bcdedit –create {ntldr} –d "Description for earlier Windows version", and then press ENTER.

Note Description for earlier Windows version can be any text that you want. For example, it can be "Windows XP."
Type %windir%\system32\Bcdedit –set {ntldr} device partition=x:, and then press ENTER.

Note x is the drive letter of the active partition that you identified in step 2a.
Type %windir%\system32\Bcdedit –set {ntldr} path \ntldr, and then press ENTER.
Type %windir%\system32\Bcdedit –displayorder {ntldr} –addlast, and then press ENTER.
Restart the computer.

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Similar problems and solutions

For more information, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

314079 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314079/ ) How to use System files to create a boot disk to guard against being unable to start Windows XP

911080 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/911080/ ) You receive a "Disk read error has occurred" error message when you use the Winnt32.exe program to reinstall Windows XP on a computer that has both Windows XP and Windows Vista installed

For more information about boot application settings, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa362692.aspx (http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa362692.aspx)

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