Windows Server 2008 And 2003 Dual Boot Gone Bad

[wildestseas]

Hi there,

I recently made the mistake of installing Windows Server 2003 on a blank hard drive that happened to be hooked up to a computer running Windows Server 2008. I booted from the Windows 2003 CD and directed it to install on the empty hard drive. I didn't expect it to change anything on my main hard drive.

When I rebooted, the computer automatically defaulted to Server 2003, without giving me the option of choosing which operating system to boot under. When I changed the boot drive sequence to only boot from my Windows 2008 hard drive, it still kept booting from the hd containing 2003. When I examine the contents of the separate hard drives, it appears that 2003 installed on the correct drive.

I physically disconnected the Server 2003 HD and now get the message that

\system32\ntoskrnl.exe is missing or corrupt.

 

Before I start replacing files, I would like some insight on what exactly happened. I've never had a problem setting up dual boot systems before. Is there a better way to correct this problem (like through Windows 2003) rather than by replacing these files?

 

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[F2 Staff]

When installing in dual boot you always have to install the older version OS first. You could use Windows 2008 to restore the boot record and create the dual boot for you.