Second drive boot dependency on original drive

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I have the latest build (2288) of Disk Director Suite on an F drive (Vista) dependent on C:\bootmgr (XP Pro). I have the OS Selector installed and working (although the wireless USB mouse and keyboard were challenging). In OS Selector, I have set the OS properties (Vista) to write the boot sector.

This doesn't work the magic I bought Disk Director Suite for, which is to make the F drive independent of the C drive. As it stands now, I sort of have the opposite of raid 1, if the C drive goes down, I can't work, so I have two drives to worry about. In OS Selector, if I set the OS properties (Vista) to specify the boot order manually with the F drive first, Vista won't boot.

Is there anyway I can remedy this situation? Could I disconnect the C: Drive, boot from the Vista DVD and create a MBR (or whatever Vista uses) on the F: drive? If so, what do I look for in the Vista setup?

I think I understand now that Acronis works with Microsoft's flaky boot method rather than replacing it like GRUB or LILO or some other boot loader, and that's fine, I understand the business logic and the ability to put everything back the way it was. Any help is appreciated.

Mon, 06/14/2010 - 15:24
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truwrikodrorowrelupicugojestutroclulachosaswunuhospikigawakijosaswenomaruclojeueclikaspedrubewidebrisubrohutrurifruuagothunugekedrumucisiuobrobrecrupeslapuswosluprothethibakaslechurathikucli
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The problem is that the booting files for both operating systems are on the original partition. As a result, OSS has to boot that partition.

To fix the problem, you can copy the booting files and update them, or use the Vista DVD to make the corrections. The MBR and the boot sector code will usually already be correct.

Since you have a Vista DVD you can use for repairs, it may be easier for you to do that. Note: This assumes the "F:" Vista installation is on a Primary partition.

  1. Deactivate OSS. It doesn't matter which OS is selected as the default.
  2. Use DD to set the "F:" Vista partition Active. Also hide the "C:" partition.
  3. Boot to the Vista DVD and select to Repair. It should scan and find problems. Select to repair and reboot. Repeat this a second time. The partition should now be configured to boot.
  4. Reboot the computer and verify that the "F:" Vista partition boots properly and Disk Management shows it as System, Boot, and Active.
  5. Reactivate OSS. It should find the "new" Vista installation and setup a boot menu entry. Once it's setup how you want, you can delete the old entry.
Mon, 06/14/2010 - 16:18