Error Code: FATAL: INT18: BOOT FAILURE

[icar]

Hi! I am using VirtualBox, Version 3.0.10 r54097.

I installed Windows 7 Ultimate x64 on a VHD file usind the Windows 7 Setup DVD http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/29 ... -boot.html. When I boot normally, Win7 Ultimate is working 100%. Now, on my host system (Windows 7 Professional 64bit), I am trying to use this allready created VHD image as a GuestOs, but -i always get the error message FATAL: INT18: BOOT FAILURE. I read the Help, but I didn't find any other instruction about other settings. Where is this error mesage coming from and why...?

Thank you so much!

[mpack]

When I boot normally, Win7 Ultimate is working 100%.

Could you please explain what "boot normally" means, and how that differs from what you do at other times?

[icar]

By "boot normally" I meant the dual-system boot. On one partition C: I have installed Win7 Professional, which is my "main system". For testing purposes I installed then Windows 7 Ultimate, on a VHD file, which is hosted on a data partition D:

When I boot the computer, I have the option to load Windows 7 Professional from the C: primary partition or to load the Windows 7 Ultimate from the VHD file. No matter what choice I make, everything is working perfectly. But when I am on win7 Professional as Host system and I try to load in VirtualBox the Win7 Ultimate from the VHD file, I get the Error Code FATAL: INT18: BOOT FAILURE. So this error appears within Virtual Box, having as host Win7 Prof, and as guest Win7 Ultimate (from VHD file).

Thanks!

[MarkCranness]

Practical: You are very likely to run into problems trying to run the VHD BOTH (one-at-a-time-alternately) in dualboot mode and in VirtualBox mode.
Activation, device drivers, hardware profiles, who knows what else.
Have a look at this post to see the hoops that you have to jump thru to get Windows XP: In both VM and native.

I'd advise you to stick with one or the other, and if sticking with VirtualBox, I would re-install Windows 7 from scratch inside VirtualBox.
There is a possibility that MS Virtual PC may handle dualboot and VM better than VirtualBox, and you might want to investigate that.

If you do want to try dualboot and VirtualBox VM, then...

Technical: I would guess that the vdisk VHD that diskpart created did not have a bootable MBR in it (it has a MBR with a partition table, but does not have any runnable boot code, likely Windows 7 boot-from-VHD bypasses that code anyway).

Try something like this, which might repair the MBR boot code:

Code: Select all

VHDMount /m /f D:\<VHDFile> m:
bootsect /nt60 m: /mbr

If that doesn't entirely work, then try this, which might repair the VBR boot code:

Code: Select all

VHDMount /m /f D:\<VHDFile> m:
bootsect /nt60 m:

Warning: Either of the above steps may make the VHD no longer boot in dualboot...

Even if that progresses things, all of your devices will then be different which will cause problems...

Mounting virtual hard disks at the command line
Bootsect Command-Line Options
 

[icar]

Oh... Thank you so much for the instructions. Very thoroughly and clear. I decided then to install the Win7 inside the VirtualBox and keep the dual-boot aside.

Thank you so much for your time!

[MarkCranness]

You're welcome; I have learnt a lot while trying to find an answer to your question.