Cannot now boot into Windows 10

Hi All,

I have a Windows 10 PC. It did work and should do again. I partitioned the hard disk to install Windows XP so an old programme could get at LPT1. XP will not install - a problem with 'Devices' keeps giving the IRQL error. During the failed XP install, boot.ini was re-written so now the PC keeps trying to run up the failed XP. I need a boot.ini file that will access Windows 10 on C: drive, like this:

[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="Windows 10, C:" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Windows XP Professional, D:" /fastdetect

For my Windows 10 installation, how do I find the correct multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1) values? Whatever I do, Windows 10 is ignored in favour of Windows XP. I can boot from a 'Bart PE' disk so I can see the whole disk. I just can't boot into Windows 10.

Regards

Gary

Hi Dalchina,

No, that does not help. Windows 10 is on my PC. I just can't boot into it as the failed XP install overwrote boot.ini.

Starting with Windows Vista the Boot.ini file replace with BCD data store file.

You always install older versions of Windows OS first then install newest version of the Windows OS so the boot manager of the newest version of the Windows OS will boot older versions of Windows OS.

Please boot your computer with Windows 10 Setup Media and from Windows Recovery Environment start the Command Prompt.

Please type below commands into Command Prompt and press Enter key.

Following commands will repair Master Boot Record (MBR), Boot Sector and BCD Store.

Code:

Bootrec /FixMbr

Bootrec  /FixBoot

Bootrec  /RebuildBcd

Reboot your system to see you can boot into Windows 10.

Hi Freebooter,

Thanks. I don't have a win 10 setup disc as the PC came pre-installed but, the PC I'm using now is also win10! Will a recovery disk from this PC be able to fix my older win10 pc?

Make sure they are same Windows 10 bit versions and edition.

If you're using a recovery drive created on Windows 10:

• Connect the recovery drive and turn on your PC.
• On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot, and then select an option. If you don’t see the Choose your option screen, your PC might not be set up to boot from a drive. Check your PC manufacturer’s website for info on how to change your PC’s boot order.
  
  • Restore from a system restore point by selecting Advanced Options > System Restore. This will remove recently installed apps, drivers, and updates that might be causing your PC problems, but it won’t affect your personal files.
  • Select Reset this PC and then choose to keep or remove your files.
    
    If resetting doesn’t work, you can also Recover from a drive. This will reinstall Windows 10 (unless your PC came with Windows 8/8.1 and a recovery partition from your PC manufacturer, in which case it'll reinstall the version of Windows that came with your PC). It'll also remove your personal files, apps and drivers you installed, and changes you made to settings.
  
  

If you don't want to Reset or Recover your computer then follow my bootrec command instructions.

Hi FreeBooter,

You are a genius! I have several recovery/repair disks and found one that installed Bootrec. I ran your three commands:

Bootrec /FixMbr
Bootrec /FixBoot
Bootrec /RebuildBcd

WIN 10 PRO wouldn't load up first time so I used F8 and got to the 'safe mode' option. She booted up fine. This must have repaired/reset something as since then she has booted up into standard mode every time.

I have run System Mechanic Pro to clean up the system and all is good.

Many thanks for your help. MY PC has been rescued :)

Gary

You are very welcome!