Adding a SSD to XP Machine and loading W7 Dual boot

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  1. Posts : 4
    XP sp3
       #1

    Adding a SSD to XP Machine and loading W7 Dual boot


    Did a search of the forums and could not see this question answered.

    I have a copy of Win7 ultimate. I have a pc with multiple hard drives, running xp. I have a 32 Gig SSD (OC).

    What I want to do is put Win7 on the SSD, and then run dual boot so that I can still use the XP operating system.

    What procedure should I follow for this situation?

    Technical level is fairly high but am new to trying a dual boot.

    TIA!
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 6
    Windows 7 Pro 32 bit
       #2

    This is what i did. Maybe it will help. I installed 2 HDD's C: and D: Then installed win 7 on the C:/ and then installed XP on the D:/ . There are a few steps to take after the install of XP, so you can dual boot. I would use the SSD for drive C:/ Windows 7. You can always add a 3rd bigger HDD for games and apps. This may not be what you want to do, but i thought it may help.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 22,814
    W 7 64-bit Ultimate
       #3

    Hello Greykiller, welcome to Seven Forums!





    Have a look at the info below, be sure to post back with any further questions and to keep us informed.


       Information

    The easiest way to do away with boot issues between 2 separate Windows OSs is to use the BIOS one time boot menu to select which OS to boot at system startup.

    If you have 2 separate Hard Disk Drives (HDD) and have one or the other installed to one HDD and you want to install the other; disconnect the HDD with the first OS installed on it and leave the HDD you want to install the second OS to connected.

    Install the OS to the connected HDD and when complete and the system is booting good, power down and reconnect the second HDD with the first OS on it.

    This way the OSs will boot independently of each other and there will be no boot conflicts between the 2 separate OSs to have to sort later.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 4
    XP sp3
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Rubbing eyes in disbelief

    Is this post really saying I would have to move a cable from one hard drive to the next to use the other operating system?

    Come on...
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 22,814
    W 7 64-bit Ultimate
       #5

    No, first you have the BIOS set to boot the HDD / OS you want as default and if you want to start the other OS you use the BIOS one-time boot menu to select that HDD / OS to start when the PC is started.

    Here is the one-time boot menu that I get at system start-up, each motherboard has an individual hot-key to tap during start-up to access a similar menu.


    Mine is to continually tap the F8 key at start-up.
    click to enlarge
    Adding a SSD to XP Machine and loading W7 Dual boot-bios-one_time-boot-menu.jpg
      My Computer


  6. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #6

    What Bare Foot Kid recommends is the very best approach. I am running Vista and Windows7 side by side with that approach since a year on a couple of systems. Nothing easier and more trouble free.
    Switching between the systems via the BIOS boot sequence is childs play and very fast. Do not fall into the trap of a real double boot with all the problems that can occur - especially with the MBR.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 4
    XP sp3
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Bare Foot Kid said:
    No, first you have the BIOS set to boot the HDD / OS you want as default and if you want to start the other OS you use the BIOS one-time boot menu to select that HDD / OS to start when the PC is started.

    Here is the one-time boot menu that I get at system start-up, each motherboard has an individual hot-key to tap during start-up to access a similar menu.


    Mine is to continually tap the F8 key at start-up.
    click to enlarge
    Adding a SSD to XP Machine and loading W7 Dual boot-bios-one_time-boot-menu.jpg
    So I go into the boot sequence and select the XP drive to boot...that will not do anything to the Win7 drive? I thought there was some issue with XP doing something to the Win7 mbr...
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 22,814
    W 7 64-bit Ultimate
       #8

    Please read this again, you install the second Operating System (OS) to the second Hard Disk Drive (HDD/SSD) with the first OS / HDD disconnected.

    Doing the second install this way does away with ALL the common boot issues.

    Bare Foot Kid said:
    Hello Greykiller, welcome to Seven Forums!

    Have a look at the info below, be sure to post back with any further questions and to keep us informed.

       Information

    The easiest way to do away with boot issues between 2 separate Windows OSs is to use the BIOS one time boot menu to select which OS to boot at system startup.

    If you have 2 separate Hard Disk Drives (HDD) and have one or the other installed to one HDD and you want to install the other; disconnect the HDD with the first OS installed on it and leave the HDD you want to install the second OS to connected.

    Install the OS to the connected HDD and when complete and the system is booting good, power down and reconnect the second HDD with the first OS on it.

    This way the OSs will boot independently of each other and there will be no boot conflicts between the 2 separate OSs to have to sort later.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 4
    XP sp3
    Thread Starter
       #9

    RiverCamp said:
    This is what i did. Maybe it will help. I installed 2 HDD's C: and D: Then installed win 7 on the C:/ and then installed XP on the D:/ . There are a few steps to take after the install of XP, so you can dual boot. I would use the SSD for drive C:/ Windows 7. You can always add a 3rd bigger HDD for games and apps. This may not be what you want to do, but i thought it may help.
    I have XP on C already.
    D and E are my Burners
    F,G,H,I,J,K and M are storage drives.

    So, I am thinking that I map d to N, then install the SSD as D. Unhook C, load Win7 on D, then choose my boot drive by going thru boot sequence.

    Better than my last solution. I actually set up my hard drives on switches--I could choose between Linux, XP and Vista simply by toggling the switches on the machine, and then powering up.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 22,814
    W 7 64-bit Ultimate
       #10

    Same out-come, you were "connecting" which HDD to boot; this is much easier, you use the PC BIOS to select which OS to boot.


    Bare Foot Kid said:
    ... first you have the BIOS set to boot the HDD / OS you want as default and if you want to start the other OS you use the BIOS one-time boot menu to select that HDD / OS to start when the PC is started.
      My Computer


 
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