How to change default boot priority on a MS XP/Win7 dual boot?

[Roffen]

I installed XP first, then Win7 and got the standard MS dual boot, with Win7 as the default boot option.

 

Since the Win7 is there only for sentimental reason - i don't use it, just let it rest there just in case I for any reason  (can't imagine what that would be) might need it.

 

I made an attempt to fix it but gave up before messing it all up.

 

How should it be done - I assume it is doable?

 

my boot.ini:

;
;Warning: Boot.ini is used on Windows XP and earlier operating systems.
;Warning: Use BCDEDIT.exe to modify Windows Vista boot options.
;
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /NOEXECUTE=OPTIN /FASTDETECT
 

Edited November 5, 2015 by Roffen

[cdob]

How should it be done - I assume it is doable?

 

;Warning: Use BCDEDIT.exe to modify Windows Vista boot options.

Boot Win7, open a elevated command prompt and run bcdedit.

Copy and paste the text output. And post the message.

[jaclaz]

Only to be more explicit, when you install Windows 7 after XP the XP booting mechanism is modified into windows 7's one.

When you install XP the booting mechanism is:

MBR->PBR of active partition (with code to load NTLDR)->NTLDR->Choice(s) in BOOT.INI->XP

When you install 7 the booting mechanism becomes:

MBR->PBR of active partition (with code to load BOOTMGR)->BOOTMGR->Choices in \boot\BCD->Windows 7 (default) or XP

 

In a nutshell, the ARCPATH entry in BOOT.INI is imported inside the \boot\BCD, as a non-default option, because the default is set to Windows 7, so it is needed to edit the \boot\BCD (through BCDEDIT.EXE) to set in it the XP as default.

 

If you want to read a bit about the \boot\BCD and BCDEDIT operation, see here:

http://www.mistyrebootfiles.altervista.org/documents/BCDEdit/index.html

 

For the moment, just run (from the booted Windows 7 and from an elevated command prompt):

BCDEDIT /enum ALL

and copy paste the result or run:

BCDEDIT /enum ALL>C:\myBCD.txt

and post the contents of C:\myBCD.txt

 

Most probably what you will have to do is to run the BCDEDIT /default {ntldr} command, as in:

http://www.mistyrebootfiles.altervista.org/documents/BCDEdit/files/commands.6.3.9600.htm#default

but let's first verify that your current situation is what we expect.

 

jaclaz

[boyans]

A simple solution:

 

1) You boot to XP.

 

2) Open command prompt and navigate to \Windows\system32 on Windows 7 partition.

 

3) Type next command, then <enter>.

bcdedit /default {current}

The line above says - set default boot entry to current booted system.

 

If you want to get an overview of BCD contents - get Visual BCD Editor.

The tool displays BCD in a structured way (explorer like, regedit like) and you can change every possible parameter to your liking. 

 

Some knowledge is needed when making changes in BCD as you can make your system unbootable very easy!

 

Always make a backup of your BCD!

 

bcdedit /export filepath\filename

For importing a saved BCD  use

bcdedit /import filepath\filename

 

 

[sdfox7]

I have a question: is there a reason you can't do it through My Computer --> Advanced --> Startup and Recovery?

 

Windows 7 also has the same option to do this. You just toggle to select the one you want to be the default.

 

(XP is the sole operating system on my Thinkpad; this is why you only see one option in the image below)

 

Edited November 7, 2015 by sdfox7