Multiboot HDD-W7 + HDD-XP + SSD-W7

I agree.

Add XP from HD Win7, then getting rid of it is as easy as deleting its partition.

To delete 7 instead, you'd need to mark XP Active. If it wont boot run bootrec/bootsect commands we can give you from XP disk repair mode.

Using Partition Wizard will allow you to also recover deleted OS space into any other partition on the HD. Partition : Recover Space Used by an Older OS

Yeah - fair point - you may well be seeing into the future better than I am

Changed my wallpaper for HHD experience - see attached.

In post #1 you stated

Boot into XP and run EaseUS or whatever to clone the dormant W7(HDD) partition to the SSD.

Looking at the latest Disk Management it seems the only partition you need on Disk 1 is the XP [H] partition.
Do you have a reason for wanting to keep the dormant Win 7 [D] partition/installation ?
Disk 1 [J] and [U] look unused.
All this seems like wasted HD space to me.
If you get rid of the dormant Win 7 on the HD, it can't ever bootup.

David: a fair point as realistically I probably won't go back into W7 HDD - but I am attracted to having it as a backup - and I like the idea of retaining the ability to revisit XP.

Yeah there is wasted HD space - but I'm not bothered or desperate for space ATM.

Your interest appreciated.

Can you boot into XP as well as old Win7 now? Yes or no?

When you're ready to remove either, post back a Disk Mgmt screenshot.

Yes - got both XP and W7 running as a dual boot off the HDD.

When I set the HDD in BIOS it just went straight into W7 - but I have run easyBCD and added XP and now when that drive is set in BIOS I get the usual dual boot decision to make - and XP runs ok.

I am presently considering retiring the 600GB Disk 1 before it dies on me. >36000hrs on the clock and under a yellow Caution from CrystalDisk.

I plan to install a much newer 200GB HDD split into 2 equal partitions, one for XP and the other for W7 (as a standby backup), dual booting.

I can temporarily remove disk 4 to make space for the migration/clone exercise as I only have 6 sata sockets.

So now I need to find the best way to clone/migrate XP and W7 to the fresh 200GB drive. I can then retire Disk1 and reconnect Disk4.

Maybe this exercise is easier as both source partitions will be dormant as I run the show from W7 SSD.

I have easyBCD, EaseUS and Paragon MigrateOStoSSD at my disposal so this should be easy.

You can clone XP to then new disk but I'd only save a backup image of Win7 from the SSD to storage on that or another disk, since there's no need to have two Win7's as you've said except as backup and the proper backup for your new SSD install is as a backup image when it's running best.

So make sure you've followed everything you want that works best from Clean Reinstall Windows 7.

Clone XP to the new disk, adjusting the borders to take as much or little of the disk as you want. You adjust these borders after you drag the partition to the new disk at the link just below it.

Remember that you don't need to go into BIOS to change from HD or SSD but can use the one-time BIOS boot menu interrupt key which should be given on first screen. On most Asus' this is the F8 key but it may be different on yours so look on the first boot screen for its listing, or read the Manual on the mobo's Support Downloads webpage.

Thanks gents - much to go on and some ideas to think about - hopefully get some time over the weekend to have a play - I just knew it would be easy. :)

Greg I'm not sure I understand what you mean by the "one-time BIOS boot menu interrupt key"

What I normally do is hit Del at the appropriate point and this gets me a BIOS screen where I nip to Boot and change the disc to boot from - then do a Save and Exit to continue booting.

Is this what you mean - or is there some magical alternative that I know nothing about?

The idea of a W7 image appeals - is restoring an image easy? Can be done from within XP?

Thanks again.

Every BIOS has a boot menu key. It's normally listed on the first boot screen. If not I already suggested ways how to find out what it is. Did you try these before asking me again?