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Tried triple-boot now XP no longer bootable

I installed Windows XP on my iMac 3 years ago and recently installed Windows 7 trying to make it "Triple-Boot"

After that it would not boot into XP. So I removed Windows 7 and restored the Partition back to OSX+XP but still won't boot in Windows XP (as shown in Information - "Bootable: No")


I realise I have probably done this all wrong but is it possible to get it bootable again?

Would rolling back in Time Machine work? I did a back-up just before installing Windows 7


I have found numerous Questions and Answers on this topic but all slightly different. Any help much appreciated!


User uploaded file

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7)

Posted on Nov 10, 2015 9:20 PM

Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Nov 18, 2015 1:03 AM

If W7 is installed on the same partition as WXP, then Windows 'dual-booting' will work, like it does on a PC. If a new partition is created on a Mac to install W7, it will not work. This is due to the limitations imposed due to a BIOS/MBR partition limit. Time Machine does not backup NTFS partitions.


Please post the output of the following OSX Terminal commands and we can check if XP can be recovered.


diskutil list

diskutil cs list

sudo gpt -vv -r show /dev/disk0

sudo fdisk /dev/disk0


The "sudo" commands will prompt for your password, and it will not be echoed back. You may also see a warning about improper use of "sudo" and potential data loss due to "abuse" of the command.

45 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Nov 18, 2015 1:03 AM in response to Community User

If W7 is installed on the same partition as WXP, then Windows 'dual-booting' will work, like it does on a PC. If a new partition is created on a Mac to install W7, it will not work. This is due to the limitations imposed due to a BIOS/MBR partition limit. Time Machine does not backup NTFS partitions.


Please post the output of the following OSX Terminal commands and we can check if XP can be recovered.


diskutil list

diskutil cs list

sudo gpt -vv -r show /dev/disk0

sudo fdisk /dev/disk0


The "sudo" commands will prompt for your password, and it will not be echoed back. You may also see a warning about improper use of "sudo" and potential data loss due to "abuse" of the command.

Nov 12, 2015 5:57 AM in response to Loner T

Not sure what you mean, I typed the commands in. Its my computer, no-one else has ever used it. I blanked out my name for a bit of privacy

Nov 12, 2015 8:01 AM in response to Loner T

Okay I did that and went a step ahead hoping its what is required. I have gone no further than this

The Windows XP I'm interested in is 20.2GB

User uploaded file

Nov 12, 2015 9:18 AM in response to Loner T

There are two Bootcamps because I tried to do "Triple Boot" I probably did that all wrong and this is the problem perhaps


In Terminal it doesn't do anything when I try to type the password

I tried Copy and Paste and I got "Sorry, try again"

I now have "sudo: 2 incorrect password attempts" - how many can you do?


I thought I put in my usual password in Directory Utility but I might have missed a Capital letter. I shall try that if you think its safe to do so

Nov 12, 2015 9:30 AM in response to Community User

Sorry, to explain further about the Bootcamp

I installed Windows 7 recently then removed it and then installed Windows XP again (but the original one is still there)

I don't intend to keep the second installation of Windows XP, I hope to be able to bring the first one back

Nov 18, 2015 1:04 AM in response to Community User

If you have OSX El Capitan, then otherwise skip this part.


1. Boot into Local Recovery (Command+R) during power up.

2. Run Utilities -> Terminal.

3. Type csrutil disable and press return/enter.

4. Boot normally.

5. Type csrutil status in OSX Terminal and verify that is it disabled. If still enabled, repeat.

This is a non-standard MBR and should not be used for any other situations.


Rebuild MBR to match the new GPT information thus resetting the Hybrid MBR. Use defaults for other questions (like partition codes). The only values that need modifications are the Boot flags and step 10. Accept all other defaults that Gdisk offers. Please see thesample Q&A as an example. These steps can be repeated if you make a mistake before you get to Step 12, otherwise start from Step 1 for these steps. Step 6 has numbers which are typed with a space between the numbers. Please see the sample Q&A before you execute these steps.

  1. Sudo gdisk /dev/rdisk0
  2. P (Print list of parts)
  3. R (Recover)
  4. O (print current Hybrid MBR)
  5. H (chooses Hybrid)
  6. Partitions numbers to be hybridized: 3 4 5
  7. Y (Good for GRUB question)
  8. N (part 3 boot flag)
  9. N (part 4 boot flag)
  10. Y (part 5 boot flag make NTFS bootable partition)
  11. O (print current Hybrid MBR)
  12. W (Write the new MBR)
  13. Y (Yes! write the new MBR)
  14. Reboot


Here is sample Q&A for this section. Please notice the Press Enter/Return.


Place EFI GPT (0xEE) partition first in MBR (good for GRUB)? (Y/N): Y


Creating entry for GPT partition #3 (MBR partition #2)

Enter an MBR hex code (default AB): Press Enter/Return

Set the bootable flag? (Y/N): N


Creating entry for GPT partition #4 (MBR partition #3)

Enter an MBR hex code (default 07): Press Enter/Return

Set the bootable flag? (Y/N): Y


Creating entry for GPT partition #5 (MBR partition #4)

Enter an MBR hex code (default 07): Press Enter/Return

Set the bootable flag? (Y/N): Y


Test 1 - Does Bootcamp Volume show up in Finder?

Test 2 - Can you see files in Bootcamp Volume?

Test 3 - Can you select Bootcamp in System Preferences -> Startup Disk?

Test 4 - If Test 3 is successful, select Bootcamp and Click Restart.

Nov 13, 2015 10:28 AM in response to Loner T

This is a lot more involved than I expected but I will give it a go. And thank you for this, BIG thank you


Before I go ahead with anything I'm a little unsure about a couple of things. You said "If you have OSX El Capitan, then otherwise skip this part" This Mac runs Lion 10.7.5 Shall I follow your instructions or skip them?


Just for the record atm both Bootcamps show in Finder, files are visible and both show in Startup Disk (but only the new one will boot)

Tried triple-boot now XP no longer bootable

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