"winload.exe not found" quick repair tip

When you get this error, most likely your drive's volume lost its GUID identifier. An alternate repair method can be done if the boot from DVD repair method failed to restore your BCD.

From the command prompt you would run:

bcdedit /set {bootmgr} device boot

bcdedit /set {default} device boot

bcdedit /set {default} osdevice boot

This can be run from within XP with the Vista drive attached or already on the second partition. If Vista is on the second partition, then set that partition active from within XP before running bcdedit. Otherwise bcdedit will not work. Locate the path of bcdedit.exe first if necessary (D:\windows\system32\bcdedit.exe for example).

You'll be able to boot Vista from then on, but you may lose your volume drive letter in disk management (C not shown, just the label). This is caused by SPP being tripped. There is no other way that I know of to restore the drive letter except for a reinstallation. To find out more about Vista's SPP, go here http://www.google.com/search?q=vista+spp