Q: Tried triple-boot now XP no longer bootable

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.

Were the "sudo" commands from an account/login which does not have administrative rights to the Mac?

It was unrelated to the name part. The "sudo" commands are returning "permission denied". Can you check Enabling and using the "root" user in OS X - Apple Support and look at the steps for your OS X version (10.7 I presume).

1. You now have an additional 34.7GB Bootcamp. What is the intent of this Bootcamp partition?

2. If you entered your password and pressed return, did you get any output? The warning is expected.

It is safe to try again. The password is not echoed back to you.

Your MBR is telling the Mac to boot from GPT4 which is the 34.7 GB Bootcamp. Do you want it to boot from GPT5 which si the 20.2 GB Bootcamp?

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 the sample 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.