Dual boot mystery


  1. Warewasher
    Posts : 23
    Windows XP/ Vista/ 7
       New #1

    Dual boot mystery


    This is driving me crazy. I had a dual boot set up with windows 7 and windows xp. During the superbowl of all times I got a pop up window that my hard drive was about to die, Save your files and replace the drive. On reboot my bios said the same. Went and bought a new drive (500 GIG), partitioned it 75% for 7 and 25 for xp.Installed windows 7 with out a hitch. But this time I installed the 64 bit version
    Now the XP install on the new partition.....at the set up screen I don't "see" my windows 7 installation....only the free space called C . OK so I installed it there ...but on the first reboot it started the whole install process again and somehow it destroyed my windows 7 installation.
    Can windows 7 64 bit live on the same drive with XP 32 bit? Shouldn't I see the windows 7 partition on the xp install screen? When I set up the old drive it was easy....leading me to believe the 64 bit is a problem. Any thoughts???
    Thanks
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  3. gregrocker
    Posts : 50,642
       New #2

    It would be best to install XP first then Win7 so that Win7 can correctly configure the Dual Boot as it does when installed last. Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP

    Use the XP CD to delete all existing partitions, create and full format the partition for itself. After install, boot the Win7 installer to create its partition in Unallocated Space you leave for it.

    Win7 should auto-configure the Dual Boot. If not, install EasyBCD 2.0 in WIn7 to easily Add XP, accept offered boot files, Save, restart.
    Last edited by gregrocker; 18 Feb 2011 at 11:05.
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  4. Bare Foot Kid
    Posts : 22,814
    W 7 64-bit Ultimate
       New #3

    Hello Warewasher.

    If you really wanted to do it the best way and get some experience out of the process; first after you have copied out or made back-ups of the data you need to save to external media, boot the Windows 7 installation DVD to do a complete wipe (secure erase) of the entire Hard Disk Drive using Step One of this tutorial at the link below, when the clean all finishes, type exit 2 times to close the command window, remove the Windows 7 DVD and add the XP CD and restart the PC.

    SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

    DISKPART : At PC Startup


    Now do the XP installation as usual creating a single partition to install XP to so it will use the C: drive letter for itself being the first partition on the HDD, if it's not the first partition it will take the next available drive letter and that may cause issues with installed programs/apps.

    Then use the info in this tutorial at this link below to "Move/Resize" the XP partition to create a space to clean install Windows 7 to so it will be the first partition on the HDD and as it will be the last OS installed it will auto-configure the Windows managed dual boot and there will be nothing else to do except enjoy Windows.

    Clean Install Windows 7 : Ahead of XP


    Be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.
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  6. theog
    Posts : 11,408
    ME/XP/Vista/Win7
       New #4

    If using Win XP CD.


    Dual boot mystery-capture.png

    Dual boot mystery-capture2.png
    Type in command line
    DISKPART
    LIST DISK
    SELECT DISK # (win HD)
    CLEAN ALL



    SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation
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  7. Warewasher
    Posts : 23
    Windows XP/ Vista/ 7
    Thread Starter
       New #5

    Thanks everyone.
    If installing XP first is the best way then I guess I have must have done it that way on my original hard drive.
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