Windows 7: Dual boot 7 (on internal hdd) and XP (on external USB connected IDE)

Hi guys,

One of my laptops is an old Acer Aspire 5610. I want to have a dual boot system, 7 and XP, but 7 on the internal HDD and XP on the external USB-IDE HDD, and by that, I mean a 100GB IDE Hard disk placed into a HDD enclosure, connected to the computer through USB. It also has separate power supply.



The internal notebook's HDD is also IDE.

I have read that installing Windows on external USB-IDE hard disk may be possible, depending on my Mainboard configuration. I have already checked my configs and it *does* support USB-IDE boot up to be first priority.

Anyway, since testing it would be really time consuming (to try to dual boot, and if failed, roll back everything) I want to ask your opinions, do you think is that even possible?!


Regards.

Possible.

For it, you need not to change the boot order, too. When you want to boot from the external, reboot with the external HDD connected, and use the BIOS boot menu key to select the external HDD to boot from.

Thanks Arc,

Do you mean there wouldn't be any problem in *installing* windows XP on the external IDE-USB hard drive?

Have tried trying Windows XP within a virtual machine, therefore you can use Windows 7 and Windows XP at the same time.

Hope this helps,

Harry

The only one problem that may occur is after the first restart .... it may boot directly to the windows 7. I haven't thought this point earlier.

And, for that reason, you need to set the boot priority to USB.

@Arc,
I will try it as soon as I can and will inform you.

@x BlueRobot,
Sorry, I didn't get it? My problem is not with dual booting or the OS compatibility. And I think in Virtual Machine you cannot define a IDE-USB hard disk?!

My main issue is that I have tried installing XP on a normal USB External hard disk but Windows XP could not be installed on that drive (I don't remember the actual error message), but it said because it was a USB hard drive. During researching about this some time ago, I came across a forum saying if its an IDE drive, connected through USB, it can be done.

Thanks.

Okay, and I think there may be some compatibility issues with using new hardware with a old OS, I came across it when I was in another thread.

Will post the thread in a moment: Windows 7 and XP dual boot

Your external HDD may still work however, by entering your BIOS and then changing the Boot Priority to the USB drive as suggested by Arc.

Better way:

• install winxp on usb
• add winxp to the bootmenu (still located on internal harddisk)

Pro: internal disk still boots if external isn't connected! Of course only Windows 7 works then.

Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP
Read all and understand it!

But to make winxp to boot from usb you have to install it a special way:
Installing Vista/XP on USB disk - The CD Forum

I would suggest you to not disturb the boot menu.
When needed, use boot menu key.

If , by any chance, one of the OS installation corrupts, it will involve a lot of works to make the other one free, if those are tagged in boot menu.

The best practice to have dual/triple boot is to use the different OSs in different HDDs, if possible, and use the boot menu key to select which HDD is to boot from.

Thanks everyone.

I read the instructions and gave it a try. But still I am getting blue screen errors.

I will try further and let you know. If it would take really complicated and long time trying I think I better let it go!

Anyway,
Thanks everyone. If I succeed I will let you know.