im_chc

Hi,

I really need help on this. Thanks in advance.

I have a machine running: matrix raid (two physical hard disks), with
win xp installed (SP2, C: drive) and Win2003 (E: drive) server.
I have three partitions on my hard disk: C: and E:
running striped mirror, and D: running redundancy (i.e. if one raid
mbr fails, can still retrieve data on the other one).
Everything is fine.

Later for performance problems, I want to install another Win XP to my
computer. For E: drive, it sits with Win2003, and files of
applications installed in C: win xp. Therefore, when I installed the
2nd XP, I didn't format E: partition, but just let the installation
program overwrites files to E:\WINDOWS. I thought that should be ok
since this will not involve in C: drive.

Installation is ok, boot to the second XP is ok. But not booting in
the 1st one.

"Windows XP could not start because the following file is missing or
corrupt:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM
"

I was in panic, I googled and found the MS KB article (307545),
followed its instructions, I use the registry backups 1 or 2 versions
old (I didn't use the latest RPxxx). Still failed. (However, the step
of copying the reg files from the "repair" directory, and booting in
this 1st XP in safe mode did work.)

What can I do? Is this "XP overwriting Win2003 in a raid environment"
a stupid thing? Please help, I am in great panic! Thx.

Regards,
MongKokFrantics