dual boot config missing previous version

Because of the curiosity factor invovled in seeing how an x64 OS would respond with digital media apps on my 64bit processor, I decided to install Vista x64 onto a spare 40GB PATA drive in a system with a working x86 XP SATA setup.
After installing the drive, I did not boot to XP, but instead, immediately ran the setup from the DVD. When presented with the graphic showing possible installation partitions, I noticed that the spare drive (which was in the second column, I believe) still had information on it, so I formatted it, then proceeded to install with no problems.
I restarted the system after updating some drivers and noticed that there was no boot menu presenting me with the option to boot to my previous version of windows - it went straight into Vista. After another restart, I confirmed that my BIOS was set to boot from the SATA drive first, but it was booting from the PATA drive, instead. Thinking that the DVD had something to do with how the drives were being recognized, I ejected the DVD, and then booted straight into XP. For some reason, the boot configuration data was installed on the PATA drive and not the SATA. In XP, the Vista drive shows up as my G: drive. In Vista, the XP installation shows up as the D: drive. That drive letter assignments doesn't bother me. But now, how do I get the Vista bootsector installed on the SATA drive, which is my normal boot device?

On Thu, 15 Jun 2006 14:54:02 -0700, RoboDude wrote:

Because of the curiosity factor invovled in seeing how an x64 OS would respond with digital media apps on my 64bit processor, I decided to install Vista x64 onto a spare 40GB PATA drive in a system with a working x86 XP SATA setup.
After installing the drive, I did not boot to XP, but instead, immediately ran the setup from the DVD. When presented with the graphic showing possible installation partitions, I noticed that the spare drive (which was in the second column, I believe) still had information on it, so I formatted it, then proceeded to install with no problems.
I restarted the system after updating some drivers and noticed that there was no boot menu presenting me with the option to boot to my previous version of windows - it went straight into Vista. After another restart, I confirmed that my BIOS was set to boot from the SATA drive first, but it was booting from the PATA drive, instead. Thinking that the DVD had something to do with how the drives were being recognized, I ejected the DVD, and then booted straight into XP. For some reason, the boot configuration data was installed on the PATA drive and not the SATA. In XP, the Vista drive shows up as my G: drive. In Vista, the XP installation shows up as the D: drive. That drive letter assignments doesn't bother me. But now, how do I get the Vista bootsector installed on the SATA drive, which is my normal boot device?

You've discovered a phenomenon that seems more like a bug than a feature. To assure that your BCD is placed on your XP drive, so that you get a dual-boot menu, launch Vista Setup from within XP. I think you're going to have to reinstall using this method.

He can't launch the Vista x64 setup from his XP x86 desktop. Only Vista x86. If he had XP x64 then he could.
"milleron" wrote in message

On Thu, 15 Jun 2006 14:54:02 -0700, RoboDude RoboDude@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
Because of the curiosity factor invovled in seeing how an x64 OS would respond with digital media apps on my 64bit processor, I decided to install Vista x64 onto a spare 40GB PATA drive in a system with a working x86 XP SATA setup.
After installing the drive, I did not boot to XP, but instead, immediately ran the setup from the DVD. When presented with the graphic showing possible installation partitions, I noticed that the spare drive (which was in the second column, I believe) still had information on it, so I formatted it, then proceeded to install with no problems.
I restarted the system after updating some drivers and noticed that there was no boot menu presenting me with the option to boot to my previous version of windows - it went straight into Vista. After another restart, I confirmed that my BIOS was set to boot from the SATA drive first, but it was booting from the PATA drive, instead. Thinking that the DVD had something to do with how the drives were being recognized, I ejected the DVD, and then booted straight into XP. For some reason, the boot configuration data was installed on the PATA drive and not the SATA. In XP, the Vista drive shows up as my G: drive. In Vista, the XP installation shows up as the D: drive. That drive letter assignments doesn't bother me. But now, how do I get the Vista bootsector installed on the SATA drive, which is my normal boot device?
You've discovered a phenomenon that seems more like a bug than a feature. To assure that your BCD is placed on your XP drive, so that you get a dual-boot menu, launch Vista Setup from within XP. I think you're going to have to reinstall using this method.