Windows 7 won't show - Acronis OS Selector

I assume you're using build 2,160 or later of DD/OSS.

Try this file and see if it works.

Thanks a lot, Windows 7 is now in the list!

Hi,

Trying to add Windows 7 in OS Selector (version 10.0 (build 2.160))

I use Acronis OS selector for a long time.
The Bootwiz.oss stands on the Games partition
Till now i had 2 OS on pc, a Windows XP for my programs and a second windows XP for my games. (XP Programs = C - XP Games = G)
But now ive also Windows 7 and try to add them. ( Windows 7 = L partition)

I disconnect the other drives and installed Windows 7, then i disconnect the Windows 7 and connected the others back for a first startup with os selector, all goes good, then i connect also the Windows 7 hd back, try to start the different OS's, but only Windows7 dont start up, only black screen.

The 3 OS systems stands on 3 different hd's and on the first partition of it. (i have 4 hd's in pc but one is only for data, so not a OS on it)

When i try to boot the Windows 7, only a black screen appears.

What i still have done without succes:
* The bootwiz.oss renamed to bootwiz.txt
* Changes maded in the bootwiz.txt file and renamed back to bootwiz.oss (like i see here in diff files).

* also copy 3 files from XP to win 7 ( boot.ini - cmldr - ntdetect.com ) that i see in forums to made Vista visable.

I have now 4 (win7), but dont know sure wich one is the right windows7 and the other 2 XP's.

Partitions:
C = Programs (Windows XP)
G = Games (Windows XP)
L = System Test (Windows 7)

Still not succes.
I hope on help with this and thank you very much

P.S. included my bootwiz.txt file and DD image

What build of DD/OSS are you using? It needs to be 2,160 or later.

You shouldn't need to copy the XP files to the Windows 7 partition. That Vista "fix" only worked in pre-2,160 build versions of DD.

Since you now have multiple Windows 7 entries, can you please post a screenshot of what DD shows (in Manual Mode) for your drives? Make sure to note which is the correct Windows 7 partition.

When trying to add Windows 7, were you following the guide on my website or something else?

Were the other OS drives disconnected when you installed Windows 7?

TRCatman,

Try this file and let me know if it works. I've set the Windows 7 entry to hide the two XP partitions. Leave it that way for the first try. If it works, you should be able to unhide them (if you want them visible).

Hi MudCrab,

I try with your file and OSS works now perfect with all OS.
First i try with the two XP partitions hidden, and OSS works perfect.
I changed the two partitions in active, and WOW, all works perfect too.

Many thanks for your help and time.

You're welcome. And thank you for your time in running the tests and providing the information needed.

Hi MudCrab,

With the information you give on your webpage ( http://www.themudcrab.com/ ) and the info here and time you shared, is unbelievable.
It's a big value, sure for people who have problems of this kind in Acronis OS Selector.
By this, very much thanks !!!

I just installed Windows 7 to a separate partition and can access my previous main XP64 partition by selecting "previous Windows installation" and also get to my WIndows 7 installation by selecting "load windows." So things are pretty stable.
I want to eventually be able to have an additional Windsows 7 installation and access all 4 for a while by using DD.
I have not installed DD into Windows 7 yet and am not sure if I will need to.

If I load DD ( ver 10.0.0.2239) from the Recovery USB stick I can see the 3 OSes
XP64 Main
XP64 Simple
and interestingly enough since I did not do anything special
Windows 7
but I get this error when trying to select Windows 7

failed to read from the sector 0 of the hard disk 1
failed to write from the sector 0 of the hard disk 1
failed to read from the sector 37 of the hard disk 1
failed to read from the sector 38 of the hard disk 1
failed to read from the sector 39-80 etc. of the hard disk 1

Any help would be appreciated.

There is no Windows 7 entry in the BOOTWIZ.OSS file. Are you seeing the "Windows 7" entry in the OSS menu? It's not quite clear because you state that you're booting to the DD flashdrive and not into OSS.

Also, if you're getting the Windows 7 menu, then Windows 7 has taken over booting of the other Windows partitions. This will need to be fixed or you'll need to use the Windows 7 boot manager instead of OSS.

There is also another drive showing in the BOOTWIZ.OSS file that isn't showing in the Disk Management screenshot. DD/OSS may not be working correctly with a drive that large. Is Disk #1 a JBOD configuration (1TB + 2TB)?

I've a Dell XPS 720 with 2 SATA 500 Go hd in RAID 0 config. I've upgraded my computer from vista to 7.This is my main and lonely active partition.

I've just purchase this software an hour ago especialy for the boot selector. Because it looked easy and friendly to use.

Now that i've installed the boot selector i'm in a real trouble --> i can't find Windows 7 to boot on.

I've take all my time to read and trying to understand http://www.themudcrab.com/acronis_oss_understanding.php

But i don't... and my bootwiz.txt file is not exactly similar (see in attachment file).

Please help !

Why isn't Acronis prevent us that this software is not Windows 7 compatible.

PS. sorry for my poor english, but i try to do my best (i'm french)

If there isn't a floppy drive in the computer, then what you have in your file is normal.

Try the attached file and see if it works for you.

Sorry but i have just installed a floppy disk before reading your post for trying to boot from it or something else....not working.

In attachment, the new oss file.

What do i have to do with this file ? I don't understand.

Thanks a lot for your answers and support.

Don't worry about the floppy drive. OSS should add that entry automatically.

Download the file I attached in Post #12 and use it in place of your BOOTWIZ.OSS file. For example: Rename your existing BOOTWIZ.OSS file as BOOTWIZ_OLD.OSS. Rename the downloaded file to BOOTWIZ.OSS.

OSS should then be able to boot into Windows 7.

thanks a lot, it's working perfectly now !!!

i have two partition at a same hardisk, i need to run dual os. one is Win 7 and another is WinXP, but os selector don't have the list of Win 7.

Was the XP partition hidden when you installed Windows 7?

Can you successfully boot into Windows 7 if you use DD to hide the XP partition and set the Windows 7 partition as Active?

Did you try making the changes yourself prior to posting? There are instructions in this thread.

If you still have problems, post back with the answers to the above questions.

Please help me. I do not see the windows 7 OSS

e.g. (Image attached)

w_security -> WIN 7 (??)
NTFS(C:) -> VISTA (OK)
BTMAGIC(Q:) -> (OSS install)

DOCUMENTOS -> (my docs)
OTHERS (G:) -> (docs)

Alex (Brasil)

Alex,

See if this works.

MudCrab,

Thanks for responding. I also did with your tutorial (http://www.themudcrab.com/acronis_oss_vistamanual.php).

But I get the message "NTLDR is Missing" when starting win 7.

Alex (Brazil)

Alex,

Are you sure the Windows 7 partition is setup properly? Are the booting files on the Windows 7 partition (bootmgr and \Boot)?

You may need to fix the boot sector code for the Windows 7 partition. After you try to boot into Windows 7, boot to the Windows 7 DVD and enter Repair Mode. Cancel any automatic repair options and start the Command Prompt. Run the following command to reset the boot sector: bootrec /fixboot

MudCrab,

I reinstalled the Win 7, I retraced my bootwis by your tutorial and ... OK!

Thank you very much!

Alex

Help me too please.
I have a triple boot:
MacOSX86
Linux Mandriva
and windows 7 not apper in acronis os selector
I have DD build 2160 installed.
Thanks...anticipated.
Sorry for my bad english...

win7 it is installed on fisrt partition from first hdd
and make itself a 100Mb partition primary active

Catalin Virgolici,

Try this file and see if it works.

Yes yes yeah!
You are the man!
Eternal Thanks from a happy romanian MudCrab
Respect!

You're welcome. I'm glad it worked for you.

Hello
OS Selector can't find Windows 7.
Windows 7 is installed on C:
I have DD build 2160 installed.
Can someone help me?

Thanks
Sorry for my bad english ^^

Try this file and see if it works.

I have made the mistake of installing Acronis OSS on a pc with Windows 7 / Server 2008. Now of course I realise that the OSS wont recognise either of these and I cannot boot into my OS at all. Is there a way of disabling OSS from start up?? I have tried deactivating OS selector but of course it cannot find any OS and therefore cannot proceed. Caught in a loop!!

I used Norton Ghost to delete all Acronis files. Still no joy. Deleted bootwizz as well and still acronis loader reared its head. Tried Windows 7 recovery, but it found no errors. Still it comes up with Acronis Loader but now wants me to reboot.
"Starting Acronis Loader......... No commands for booting operating system. Press to reboot....
No joy there

John Warren,

You should be able to get Windows booting again by fixing the MBR.

Boot to the Windows DVD and enter the Repair Mode. Start the Command Prompt and run the following command: bootrec /fixmbr

---

The only way you can force uninstall OSS when it can't find an OS is to do it from the DD/OSS CD.

Create a new CD (if necessary) that includes the OSS programs. Boot to the CD and select the OSS Setup item. Then select to uninstall (or remove) OSS.

Acronis really needs to add a usable uninstall feature to the normal OSS setup. It's really irritating that it won't remove itself just because it thinks there isn't an OS.

Hi
It's OK =)
Thanks for all MudCrab =)

OS Selector can't find Windows 7.
Windows 7 is installed on C:
Ubuntu on Ext 3
OSS build 2160
Sony Vaio TZ150n

XP had problems so formatted partition and installed windows 7 Ultimate was able to boot installed OSS but not Ubuntu figured MBR had been overwritten so config system now ready for OSS so can get back to dual boot installed DD then OSS restarted and OSS could not find either OS Ubuntu or Win 7 rebuilt MBR and got windows back would like to get dual boot back and have always been happy with OSS selector
Can someone help me?

Craig Stinson,

Try the attached file and see if Windows 7 will boot. You'll need to reactivate OSS after replacing the file.

For Ubuntu, was the Ubuntu boot manager (GRUB) installed to the MBR or to the partition?

What version of Ubuntu are you using?

You may need to reinstall GRUB (preferably to the Ubuntu partition) and then OSS should detect it.

I suspect that the main OSS files were on the XP partition and you lost them when you formatted it. This is one of the reasons I recommend installing OSS to a non-OS partition.

MudCrab wrote:

Craig Stinson,

Try the attached file and see if Windows 7 will boot. You'll need to reactivate OSS after replacing the file.

For Ubuntu, was the Ubuntu boot manager (GRUB) installed to the MBR or to the partition?

What version of Ubuntu are you using?

You may need to reinstall GRUB (preferably to the Ubuntu partition) and then OSS should detect it.

I suspect that the main OSS files were on the XP partition and you lost them when you formatted it. This is one of the reasons I recommend installing OSS to a non-OS partition.

MudCrab wrote:

Craig Stinson,

Try the attached file and see if Windows 7 will boot. You'll need to reactivate OSS after replacing the file.

Ok I got Windows 7 to boot

For Ubuntu, was the Ubuntu boot manager (GRUB) installed to the MBR or to the partition?

Not sure where I put Grub but I think would be good to have next time have it on a boot paratition I'm researching now how to do

What version of Ubuntu are you using?

Ubuntu ver 9.10

You may need to reinstall GRUB (preferably to the Ubuntu partition) and then OSS should detect it.

ok i'm reading up and have the live CD out

I suspect that the main OSS files were on the XP partition and you lost them when you formatted it. This is one of the reasons I recommend installing OSS to a non-OS partition.

Thanks for getting me this far I might be back to you on your thought about creating a paration to install the Acronis and the boot files on to prevent them from getting wiped out next time this is a small sony TZ150 laptop I like the Ubuntu but have a Iphone so need Windows for itunes and no cash for the Macbook yet i would love to have a triple boot machine some day Thanks again

Ok I rebuilt Grub2 now back working canyou help me out with moving Acronics to a new partition so it won't get wiped out again

Hi MudCrab, I’m an Italian guy, so sorry for my English.
I’ve tried to set a 3 OS configuration on my Computer: 2 Windows Xp Professional and 1 Windows 7 Ultimate. The Os are all on the same hard disk (this is split in 3 parts)
I’ve installed Acronis Disk Director Suite version 10.0 (build 2.160) on the second Xp Partition (Games). But I also read that you recommended to install OSS on a non-Os Partition.. How can I do that?
During the installations I’ve turned all the unused partitions to “hidden”
As you can see in the photo my configuration is:
- Xp Programs -> C
- Xp Games -> G
- Windows 7 -> E
When I startup the system with Os Selector, it has only found 2 “unknown operative system”, so I’ve tried to rename and modify the bootwiz.oss file but I only did a mess.
I will probabily also add a new hard disk for my data.
Please can you help me to set my computer? It’s the first time that I work with this very useful program, so I don’t know it very well.
Thank you very much for your reply.
Simone
P.S. I can't attach the bootwiz file because on this computer I can't see the hidden files

Craig Stinson wrote:

Ok I rebuilt Grub2 now back working canyou help me out with moving Acronics to a new partition so it won't get wiped out again

I have never tried moving an OSS installation. Due to the way in which OSS seems to reset if it detects changes, it may not even be possible.

If I were to try, I suppose I would first deactivate OSS and then move the main BOOTWIZ folder to the new partition. Then reactivate OSS. It may find the folder and reactivate correctly. If it doesn't, you could try a repair install.

Otherwise, you're left with uninstalling OSS and doing a Custom install so you can select the correct partition. In this case, any manually added entries would need to be added again.

Simone Valmacco,

I really can't do much without seeing the BOOTWIZ.OSS file. You should be able to enable viewing of hidden and system files (see this for instructions).

To install OSS to a partition of your choosing, you have to select the Custom option when installing.

Using another computer I renamed the Bootwiz.oss file.
Can I install OSS everywhere without change tho Bootwiz.oss file? I'm thinking about install OSS in a empty partition... so I can restore the OS partition when necessary...
Thank you very much...

Simone Valmacco,

If you're going to move the OSS installation to another partition, it should be done first. You would uninstall OSS, select one of the XP installations as the default, reboot (make sure XP boots okay), reinstall OSS to the partition you want, and then attach the new BOOTWIZ.OSS file to a post.

There are some errors in the file you attached and it won't work correctly as it is. Does the XP on the second partition (Games) boot okay? If so, you could use it as the default when uninstalling OSS. If this is a problem, I can fix this file and we can go from there.

When you're ready to reinstall OSS, first boot to DD from the CD and unhide all your OS partitions. If any OS partitions are hidden, OSS sets up one or more entries incorrectly.

So can I create an empty partition on the disk and can I install OSS (boot OSS from the Cd before Windows)?
After that what I have to do?
Sorry for my inexperience but I'm a novice.
Thank you very much

The partition you install OSS to can be a dedicated partition or any other non-OS partition (FAT32 or NTFS). On my system, I used a 10GB FAT32 partition I shared with Linux. The actual OSS files don't take up much space.

You can install OSS from the CD or from Windows. Personally, I liked installing it from Windows because that gives you access to DD's Safe Mode version directly from OSS. If you install from the CD, you don't get that option.

If the OS partitions aren't hidden, OSS should detect at least one of them correctly. After that, get a new copy of the BOOTWIZ.OSS file and post it so I can see it.

Remember, you have to uninstall OSS before reinstalling it to the new partition. You can't have two OSS installations on the computer.

Today I've made the changes... I installed OSS on an empty partition.
I've changed the name of the partition...
On the image you can see the new set up.
And there is also the new Bootwiz file.
Thank you very much
Simone

Simone Valmacco,

I added the Windows 7 entry and tried to fix the XP entries. Please try the file and see if it works.

Hi MudCrab... I try with your file and OSS works now perfect with all OS!!
Thank you very much!!!
I have a question... Can I add some new icons for the Os? If yes.. How can I do that?
Thank you very much

As far as I know, there's no way to add or change the existing set of icons.

hi I have windows vista and windows seven on my laptop both working properly by windows boot manager but i want to add acronis os selector in order to install mac leopard, but as you know os selector not detecting vista or seven windows, my vista is installed on c:\windows and my windows seven address is s:\windows hereis my bootwiz.txt attached i appreciate if u help me in this matter

taha eshraghi,

What build of DD are you using? Build 2,160 should find normal Vista installations. The later builds should have better Vista detection. This assumes Vista and Windows 7 are booting from their own partitions. If you installed Windows 7 and let it take over the booting of Vista, OSS may not find it.

There are three NTFS partitions listed. I have no idea which is which. I would need to see a screenshot of what DD shows (in Manual Mode) for the drive. If it's not clear from the screenshot which partition is Vista and which is Windows 7, please indicate which ones they are.

If you let Windows 7 take over the booting of Vista, you will probably need to separate them so they can work decently with OSS.

im using version 10 build 2160 i have windows vista on drive c and windows seven on drive s: there is a partition (G) which i may install mac os after i repaired my os selector there is also a recovery partition which is made by factory, the vista and seven are working properly on different partitions . an update of bootwiz file also attached because i made some changes to my hard disk