Help needed for setting up Dual Boot PC XP + W7

Jazmindah · 17 Jul 2014

Hi :)
I have few queries regarding dual boot or triple boot systems.
I have a Intel 64 bit machine and I want to create 3 partitions of 100 GB each. I then want to install 2 OSs on it:

1st Config---------XP 32bit + W7U 64bit or
2nd Config--------XP 32bit + W7U 32bit or
3rd Config-------- XP 64bit + W7U 64bit.

It came as a FreeDos machine without any windows on it. I am open to installing any config. Later, I might install a 3rd OS on the 3rd partition which can be either of XP or W7U.

I am new to this though I have created dual boot system but that was few years back and after reading the forum it seems a lot has changed. So I have few doubts which I believe the forum members can help me with.

1. What partitions should I create NTFS, FAT or FAT32
2. I already have a partition which has EISA utilities. It came with the machine. What to do with it. It confused me when once I tried to install XP on already existing W7U…drive letters got mixed up….XP worked but W7U couldn’t be detected for booting.
3. Can 32 bit OS work on 64bit PC.
4. I there any particular hierarchy/order in which the OSs should be installed/removed or any OS can be installed before/after any.
5. Vendor released drivers only for 32bit XP …will they work on 64bit or 32bit XP installed on 64bit PC.
6. Any concern regarding MS Office (32 or 64bit) running on 64bit PC. I’ll be using either Office 2010 or 2007.
7. How should I go about if later I want to install a 3rd OS - XP or W7U.

Please feel free to correct me where I am wrong as I am not too technical.

ignatzatsonic · 17 Jul 2014

Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP

32-bit OS can work on 64-bit system.

I think MS recommends 32-bit Office for most users, regardless of OS.

I'd think you should go with NTFS partitions all the way.

What's the purpose of this thing?

It's doable on a single hard drive, but your life would be simplified if you had separate drives for each OS rather than just separate partitions.

AddRAM · 18 Jul 2014

Always install XP first.

Partitions should be NTFS

And I would not install XP 64 bit.

Your computer is not 32 or 64 bit until you install the Operating System.

gregrocker · 18 Jul 2014

If you don't plan to upgrade RAM to more than 4gb then use 32 bit. If the extant OS came with the PC then the Recovery partition may still work, otherwise if it has been reinstalled it will not so you can delete it. If there is a separate OEM partition besides OS then it may contain Bootable Diagnostics which you can test now to see if they will boot from ESC key at boot, and if not you can delete that partition too along with all others during the booted install of XP.

During booted XP install, delete all partitions as given above, create New for XP, full format it and install.
Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP

Then install Win7 by booting its installer, creating and formatting its partition during install.

Tips compiled here assure you'll get and keep a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

Jazmindah · 18 Jul 2014

Hi ignatzatsonic

Thanks for your reply!!!

I only have 1 harddrive which would be used ...its a laptop...so I would be creating partitions.

I am doing this as some application (32 bit) didn't work and a friend suggested fresh installs and dual boot to have 2 OSs and then try running it on them.