Dual booting W7 with XP!

Hello :)!

First off i would just like to say that i am very inexperienced when it comes to working with different OS so give me a break.

I am trying to dual boot W7 with XP. I have W7 already installed on my computer.

This is what i have done so far: I made a disk partition and gave it a letter (:F).
I inserted my windows XP cd and rebooted my computer. It starts working a bit and then i get to a screen where it says something like "There is already a version of windows installed in the "WINDOWS" folder, do you want to overwrite?"
Ofcourse i do not want this because this would remove my W7 wouldnt it?

I have seen on tutorials that people get to choose what disk partition to install XP to but i cannot seem to find this, and im a bit scared to try and choose this current WINDOWS folder and see what happens.

I use SATA HD and i have seen on alot of tutorials that i might need to integrate the sata drivers into my windows XP install disk. So i tryed this (Most likely did it wrong). I located the cd i got with my motherboard (Asus - Socket 1156 - ATX Intel P55 (P7P55D)) and inserted it. Then i tryed to locate the driver ".inf" file but i could not find it. The "DRIVERS" folder contained ALOT of them and i think that the disk contained drivers to more than just my motherboard. I tryed integrating the drivers i thought was right and ran the XP install again but there were no difference!

I have no idea what to do now! It feels like i have done everything someone with my knowledge could do! I really need help with this and would be extremely grateful if anyone could help!

Just a few questions.
1. If i overwrite my current WINDOWS folder with XP it will remove my w7 right?
2. Will it delete all my files too or just the operative system?
3. If it just changes OS would it be possible for me to dual boot XP with w7 (XP preinstalled)? Will i be able to do so with the same product key or will i need a new one? I dont want to buy another copy of W7.


ALOT of questions and it got a bit messy but i hope i could make myself understood, if you dont understand something just tell me and i will explain!
I cannot describe how much i would apreciate getting help with this!

Thanks in advance, Esaias.

Do not overwrite Win7 if you wish to keep it and your files

You must install XP to its own partition if you want to Dual Boot. See Method Two here: Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP. Tell us at what step you are encountering problems.

Let's see what you are working with now. Please go to Disk Management, maximize the windows, open the Snipping Tool in Start Menu and make a rectangular snip of the full drive map and listings, attach file in Reply Box using paper clip icon.

Thank you for your reply. I have already followed the guide that you linked to and im encountering problems at step 4. I do not get the license agreement window! I also do not get the window where you can choose what partition to install to! All i get is "There is already a version of windows installed in the WINDOWS folder, do you want to overwrite?" or similar.

If i could manage to get the partition window everything would probably be fine (Hopefully) because then i could install it without overwriting anything. Sadly that is not the case.

EDIT: Im from sweden so some of the text is in swedish, ask me if you need to translate!

Where did you get XP? Is it a known-good installer which has worked before? It seems strange that it can see the HD to calculate an overwrite but won't show you the partitioning. Can you provide camera-snaps of these error messages, or the exact wording so we can find its meaning?

As far as slipstreaming using Nlite, you'll need to discern which are the disk controller drivers which might be Storage, RAID, IDE, SATA, etc. then slipstream all of them into the ISO using text method.

Theog who wrote the tutorial is online now so can possible help you more. Slipstream SATA drivers into Windows XP CD - Windows 7 Forums

I forgot to say that when i tryed to integrate my SATA drivers with my XP disc i used nLite!

Pherhaps the cd/installer is the problem, i think it is some sort of a "pirate" version that my dad has always used.

Initially i thought that the installer was the problem aswell, so i downloaded another "version" of a installer and burned it to a disc (Had to buy discs just to try this -.-). But the installer was the same, no license agreement and no disc partitions. I also had a look at my "Local" computer shops to see if they sell new XP discs but they dont, they only sell Windows 7.

As a last resort option is it not possible for me to format my computer, install windows xp with the disc i have, and then dual boot windows 7 afterwards? It seems alot easier to install W7 with XP preinstalled. Im going to try to find screenshots of these screens on some forum/google, if i cannot find them i will take photos using my mobile phone. This is because i simply do not know how to take screenshots while windows is not booted.

I really apreciate you helping me! :)

Found a picture!

I have tryed pressing escape but it only lets me select folder, not disc partitions etc!

I think you need to find a clean copy of XP for your licensed version. Which version of XP do you have a legal Product Key for?

You likely still need the SATA drivers slipstreamed since it isn't finding a HD, only a folder - which I'm still not sure why it sees without SATA controller.

I'm asking Theog to look at this.

I see.
When i press esc all i can do is change the "/Windows" To "/Something".

Would it be possible for me to format my computer, install XP to the /windows folder, and then W7 as dual boot?
I have heard that installing w7 with xp preinstalled does not require slipstreaming of drivers is this true?
Also, will i be able to use the same w7 product key as i did when i first installed w7?

I do not know which version of Xp that i have a legal product key for, im not sure i have one at all.

Im going to try that! I cannot describe how grateful i am for your help :)!

If i use macrium to create a image, upload it do my ftp, install XP, download it, can i then use EasyBCD to add it to another disc partition? Does this mean that i do not have to install W7 again after XP install? :)
It must be quite frustrating for someone like you to try to teach a noob like me theese things, as i said above i am very grateful :)