Windows 7: Windows 7 Ultimate and Windows XP Pro Dualboot Error

I have Windows 7 Ultimate OEM installed on my Seagate 160GB hard drive. I want to install my Windows XP Pro operating system. (DUAL BOOT of Course)

I followed your instructions to the letter. Once all the files have been copied and it reboots before the installation starts, I get an Error saying to click CTRL ALT and Delete to reboot. I can't get past that point to install Win XP Pro. The only option is to click onto any key to boot to the CD/DVD. I have my cmos set to boot from the CD/DVD. It won't start the extraction and installation sequence to get Windows XP Installed. I have to do a recovery to get back into Win 7 afterwards and set everything back to the settings before I tried to get Win XP to boot by making a dual partition in Win 7 and install on its own partition.

This is ODD. I even used a brand new Win XP Pro OEM operating disk and two other Win XP operating disks, so I know it's isn't the software.

Are you sure you haven't left out something in your instructions I would need to know to get past this error issue to continue the Win XP Pro operating system install?

Welcome to Seven Forums.

The 'Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP' tutorial has been used by a lot of people, very likely +1000, and no errors or problems have been reported.

Just to make sure I understand your description.

You have Windows 7 installed on one partition of your 160GB HD, you made another partition to install XP on? Is this correct?

In the tutorial, you followed METHOD TWO: When Windows 7 is Installed First, correct?

What size is the Windows 7 partition?
What size is the XP partition?

Please fill out your system specs, this will help us to solve your problem.

You can down load SIW - System Information for Windows to get all the information about your computer.

i have the same problem


Manufacturer ASUSTeK Computer Inc.
Product Name K40IN
Version 1.0
CPU Name Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T6500 @ 2.10GHz
PC System Type Mobile
Machine Type AT/AT COMPATIBLE
Infrared (IR) Supported No
Disk 0
Manufacturer Seagate
Model ST9320325AS
Size 320.0 GB
Memory 4 GB

Remove the formatting from the XP partition and allow the booted XP CD to create and format its own partition, because the XP partition table is slightly different.

Your SATA controller needs to be set in Compatibility or IDE mode in BIOS setup, which might be a prob if Windows 7 was installed in AHCI which is more modern.