Microsoft KB Archive/923126

= Error message when you try to install an additional operating system on a computer that is running Windows Vista: &quot;A disk read error has occurred. Press CTRL+ALT+DEL to restart.&quot; =

Article ID: 923126

Article Last Modified on 3/15/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Windows Vista Home Basic
 * Windows Vista Home Premium
 * Windows Vista Enterprise
 * Windows Vista Business
 * Windows Vista Ultimate
 * Windows Vista Starter
 * Windows Vista Business 64-bit edition
 * Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit edition
 * Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit edition
 * Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit edition
 * Windows Vista Enterprise 64-bit edition

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SYMPTOMS
On a computer that is running Microsoft Windows Vista, you try to install an additional operating system on a new partition. When you restart the computer, you receive the following error message:

A disk read error has occurred. Press CTRL+ALT+DEL to restart.



CAUSE
This problem may occur if you try to install a version of Windows that is earlier than Windows Vista. The problem occurs because the Setup process in the earlier version of Windows tries to overwrite the boot sector on the primary Windows Vista partition.



RESOLUTION
To resolve this problem, install the earlier version of Windows on the primary boot partition, and then install Windows Vista on a new partition. If you want to be able to start from more than one operating system, install the earliest version of Windows first, and then install the later versions in the order of release. For example, install the operating systems in the following order:
 * 1) Windows 2000
 * 2) Windows XP
 * 3) Windows Server 2003
 * 4) Windows Vista

Install each operating system according to the standard installation procedure.

Note Install each version in its own partition.



MORE INFORMATION
For more information about multiple-boot configurations, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

306559 How to create a multiple-boot system in Windows XP

289283 Description of supported dual-boot configurations between Windows 2000 and other Windows-based operating systems

Keywords: kbtshoot kbexpertisebeginner kbsetup kberrmsg kbprb KB923126

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