Windows 7: Clean install Win7 in new HDD, w/XP on old HDD?

gigem891 · 22 Apr 2010

Hello,

New to forum, looking forward to a new, fun, educational environment!

I have similar question as earlier poster, and request similar assistance offered:

"You needn't change the boot order in BIOS every time, just set your preferred HD to boot first (after DVD drive) then if you want to boot the other HD, use the key given on bootup screen for Boot Menu to trigger the other HD instead.

If you will post back your make computer, we'll look up what key it is that you press at bootup.

Otherwise use EasyBCD to create a Windows-managed Dual Boot but it is harder to extricate later."

I like the idea of manual dual boot option, and would be concerned about the "harder to extricate later" part. I mainly just want to be able to access old files on old HDD.

I'm currently running home built PC:

Win XP SP2
MS-7125 ( K8N Neo4 Platinum)
BIOS Version/Date Phoenix Technologies, LTD 6.00 PG, 5/22/2006
SMBIOS Version 2.3
AMD Opteron 170
2 GB DDR 400 memory
640 GB HDD

I'm building new system, having been with XP since 2003, and holding off on Vista all this time. Don't get me wrong, I've no complaints about XP, but I'm bustin' at the seems for Windows 7, after seeing it on my 67 year-old Mom's new laptop. It was like a bite of fresh fruit on a desert island. I'm so excited!

New system hardware:

Win 7 Professional 64 OEM
MSI 785GM-E65
AMD Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition Heka 2.8 GHz
w/Arctic Cooling Freezer Pro 7 Rev.2 heatsink fan
2x2 GB G.Skill DDR3 1333 memory
WD Caviar Blue 320 GB HDD

Thank you!

Darryl Licht · 22 Apr 2010

Quote: Originally Posted by gigem891

Hello,

New to forum, looking forward to a new, fun, educational environment!

I have similar question as earlier poster, and request similar assistance offered:

"You needn't change the boot order in BIOS every time, just set your preferred HD to boot first (after DVD drive) then if you want to boot the other HD, use the key given on bootup screen for Boot Menu to trigger the other HD instead.

If you will post back your make computer, we'll look up what key it is that you press at bootup.

Otherwise use EasyBCD to create a Windows-managed Dual Boot but it is harder to extricate later."

I like the idea of manual dual boot option, and would be concerned about the "harder to extricate later" part. I mainly just want to be able to access old files on old HDD.

I'm currently running home built PC:

Win XP SP2
MS-7125 ( K8N Neo4 Platinum)
BIOS Version/Date Phoenix Technologies, LTD 6.00 PG, 5/22/2006
SMBIOS Version 2.3
AMD Opteron 170
2 GB DDR 400 memory
640 GB HDD

I'm building new system, having been with XP since 2003, and holding off on Vista all this time. Don't get me wrong, I've no complaints about XP, but I'm bustin' at the seems for Windows 7, after seeing it on my 67 year-old Mom's new laptop. It was like a bite of fresh fruit on a desert island. I'm so excited!

New system hardware:

Win 7 Professional OEM
MSI 785GM-E65
AMD Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition Heka 2.8 GHz
w/Arctic Cooling Freezer Pro 7 Rev.2 heatsink fan
2x2 GB G.Skill DDR3 1333 memory
WD Caviar Blue 320 GB HDD

Thank you!

If your new mobo BIOS supports multiple boot drives, its the way to go. No messy boot.ini files, just 2 seperate drives each with their own boot files, OS, and all other files.

All you gotta do to switch OS's is reboot, enter BIOS, change boot drive, then continue with boot. My BIOS doesnt let me change preferred HDD from the boot menu seen at startup... I have to enter BIOS to change preferred boot HDD.

2 questions for you...

Are you planning on moving the HDD from your old system to the new system and expecting it to boot? It most likely will not until you reinstall XP on that drive on top of itself to get that HDD to find all the new mobo, chipset, HW drivers.
Do you really think after using Windows 7 that you will ever want to go 10 years backward in OS technology?

gregrocker · 23 Apr 2010

Look on the first BIOS screen at bootup to see what key to press for one-time Boot Menu, or check your manual.

If you want to use your XP HD on the new hardware, you'll need to run a Repair Install from boot before attempting to start it. This is not the first "R" for repair offered after booting CD. Proceed with Install until it discovers the installation and then choose "R" for Repair if it is offered. If not you'll need to clean reinstall.

Repair Windows XP - How to Perform a Repair Installation of Windows XP - Part 1 of 2

gigem891 · 23 Apr 2010

Thank you. I was planning on backup/copy of desired data files from old XP OS HDD, then wiping with clean Win 7 install, but how to get desirable old data files into accessible location, perhaps their own partition, back on old HDD after clean Win 7 install is the problem.

Call me an "experienced newbie", now I want partitioning with Win 7 in it's own partition, with data files and auto-saves on another partition for better system functionality/efficiency. So, I purchased a new 320 GB internal HDD for Win 7 install, with preferable use of 640 GB HDD as storage of movies and other bloat stuff (I'm a Recovering Bloataholic).

I also have a 1 TB WD external HDD, recently purchased for wise, complete backup of old XP system, so with all of this, I'm unsure about the "easiest" way to configure what I want, which is: a faster, cleaner, more efficient Win 7 system, but access to old XP data files, and the XP OS if necessary, but unknown at this time. I've got some useful paid and freeware apps which might not work with Win 7, so I don't want to cut off my nose to spite my face, as it were.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.....Thank You!

(No, I don't want to regularly use the decade-old XP OS. I'm ready to turn away! But I need access to files within it's "grasp?")

It's a configuration issue, I'm just not sure how to utilize the tools and hardware I have.

DocBrown · 23 Apr 2010

Welcome gigem891,

You new system sounds very solid. I would get it up & running with Windows 7 first by it's self. We can add the XP HD later & possibly a dual boot Windows 7 & XP system. Let's get the new Windows 7 system running smoothly without any problems. With the 1TB external HD, that gives us several different ways to make use of it.

Or you could even network the two computers, and have both until you really decide what you want to do with the XP.

There are many members here to help you, so give us info & questions

" Doc "

gigem891 · 23 Apr 2010

Sounds good, Doc. You're absolutely right. I'll update after build/install. Thank you very much.

Darryl Licht · 23 Apr 2010

Or just use Windows 7 EZ transfer and move all your data over to Windows 7 and kiss XP goodbye forever! Honestly, its so much better you may want to install it on your "OLD" system!

DocBrown · 23 Apr 2010

Quote: Originally Posted by gigem891

Sounds good, Doc. You're absolutely right. I'll update after build/install. Thank you very much.

Best of Luck, I will watch this thread for your update comments.

I have about 45 Windows 7 builds in the past year, for myself, family members, and friends. And even a couple of Old Dinosaurs, that do rather well on Windows 7

gigem891 · 23 Apr 2010

Windows 7 EZ transfer does sound like a great tool. Thanks Darryl. I'll most likely check it out after clean build/install on new system, and then only transfer select data. Build/install this afternoon!

gigem891 · 23 Apr 2010

Ok. After system build, and power on into BIOS setup, configured 1st Boot device to DVD RW. Then after inserting Windows 7 Pro OEM disk and restarting, message reads: "Reboot and Select proper Boot device or Insert Boot Media in selected Boot device and press a key"

I've checked and changed BIOS settings varios ways, cleared and reset BIOS, and still nothing. My PATA DVD drive is set to Master, and my still new, virgin SATA 320 GB HDD is properly installed, but I can't verify jumper setting requirements, if any exist. None available on website. I'm considering immediate purchase of 8+GB USB drive for different install path, but if DVD isn't recognized or accessible, then I don't know how I will be able to copy my OEM install disk to it.

I've looked over prior posted installation problems, and I'm at a crossroads now.

MSI motherboard Quick Install Guide said to instal OS 1st, then follow-up with mobo Drivers and Utilities disk, but that doesn't seem to make sense.

Please advise, thank you.......

Windows 7: Clean install Win7 in new HDD, w/XP on old HDD?

Clean install Win7 in new HDD, w/XP on old HDD? problems?