Windows 7: Duel boot Win 7 and XP 2 hard drives

I know at this point it's tricky and i should have done it before installing Windows 7 however...
My new physical primary drive now has Windows 7 pro running exclusively the whole partition (c
I'd like to add the drive that had XP pro running on the same PC.
i'd like to get this running as a duel boot without corrupting the XP drive.
i know i gotta run the Win 7 startup DVD but what from there??

Thank for a reply
Klay

Welcome to Windows Seven Forums.

Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP

Plug in the XP HD and boot it using the one-time BIOS Boot Menu key. If it was previously running on the same PC then it will not require an XP Repair Install to adjust to new hardware.

Keep Windows 7 as first HD to boot in BIOS setup so it will start up by default unless you invoke the one-time BIOS Boot Menu key to interrupt it to boot XP HD.

This keeps the HD's independent to come and go as you please, whereas adding XP to create a Windows Dual Boot Menu using EasyBCD from Windows 7 will interlock them.

If you want both OS's on the same HD then post back clarification for different instructions.

Hello klayymann, welcome to Seven Forums!



I too would use the one-time boot menu to select which OS/HDD to boot/start at PC startup, don't use the Windows managed dual boot, do as Greg has suggested; if you'll list the motherboard manufacturer, we'll help you find the correct F-key to use.

System Restore Points - Stop XP Dual Boot Delete - Vista Forums

i took the easy route as suggested and just let the BIOS make the decision, maybe i'll tie them down the road!

Thanks for the posts!
Klay

It is much less trouble to use the BIOS to select the OS/HDD to boot.

Glad we could help and thanks for the update.