Terrible Problem - Can't Load OS... Help!

[fcwedd]

I've got an 80 gig sata hd.

1) I made a 40 gig partition that is running Vista 64.
2) I planned on using the remaining 40 gigs for XP
3) After formatting the remaining 40 gigs and an automated reboot, I get the following msg: "Cannot Load Operating System"
4) I stuck in my cd, tried both Vista and XP, and had noticed that my hd has the following:

Unpartitioned Space [1MB] (WHAT THE HECK IS THIS)
Partition 1 [40MB] (Vista)
Partition 2 [40MB] (XP)
Unpartitioned Space [8MB] (Default for whatever)

I cannot load any OS because of that 1MB section of unpartitioned space. I cannot delete it or do anything ;/ Normally, I would just delete all the partitions to see what would happen; However, I have 2 school papers that are due today and am really stressing.

If anyone has any ideas, please let me know.

thanks

[jonnyGURU]

You need third party software like Acronis' Disk Director.

[IAmATeaf]

If the data on that disk is that important then I'd get another HD, install an OS on that, then install this disk so that I could then access and backup the important data.